Kitespot Laboe und Schöneberg
29.09.2026
Written by Lasse, kiter for 12 years and part of the Kitemana crew
Kitesurfing in Laboe means a huge standing-depth lagoon in front of the naval memorial, knee to hip deep, with the ferries of the Kiel Fjord sliding past behind you. A few kilometres east lies Schönberger Strand, with groynes and short Baltic chop. The two spots face different directions. When one is offshore, the other usually works side-shore.
In this article
Laboe and Schönberg: two spots, almost every wind direction
On the Bay of Kiel, the wind direction decides whether you get on the water at all. South-east is offshore in Laboe, but that is exactly when Schönberger Strand runs side-shore from the right. In a north-easterly, Laboe is the first choice, with glassy water behind the stone jetty for freestyle and big air. And in a south-westerly, the most common direction, Laboe is one of only two spots around Kiel that work at all, the other being Bülk.
Only when the wind swings round to the south does the board stay in the car. Know both spots and you will get a lot more days on the water here.
| Laboe | A standing-depth area around one kilometre wide and 500 metres long, knee to hip deep, with a sandy bottom almost everywhere. Works in almost every direction except south-east, best in a north-easterly. Very shallow in places, plus the odd mussel bed. Beyond the sandbank lies the shipping channel, and you have no business there. Beginner to advanced. |
| Schönberger Strand | Six kilometres of beach along the dyke, including the sections locals call Kalifornien and Brasilien. T-shaped stone groynes roughly every 150 metres, with flat water in between for launching and short, steep Baltic ramps further out. Works from north-west to north and from east to south-east. The groynes are rock, so leave yourself room downwind when you launch. Intermediate to advanced, jumps and chop. |
Water level instead of tides
You do not need a tide table on the Baltic. The wind sets the water level. When a south-westerly blows for a while, it pushes water out of the fjord and long fins start touching the bottom in the Laboe lagoon. Bring your short ones. On warm south-westerly days Laboe also fills up fast, and the wind tends to be gusty.
Kite zones and swimming areas
In season, both spots have marked swimming areas, in Laboe with white buoys, and the kite area gets smaller. Laboe also borders a nature reserve that is off limits all year. The rules change with the season, so ask at the local water sports stations where you can launch and ride before your first session.
Learning to kitesurf and getting there
For learning, Laboe is the better pick. In standing-depth water you do not need a water start, and after every crash you simply stand up. The station sits right next to the submarine below the memorial, with lessons, rental and parking, open from April to October. In Schönberg, the stations at Kalifornien and Brasilien offer kite lessons too.
From Kiel, take the Ostring onto the B502 towards Schönberg. For Laboe, turn left in Brodersdorf. For Schönberger Strand, stay on the B502, about 25 kilometres from Kiel.
Which kite size suits your weight is covered in the kite guide. The right wetsuit thickness for the Baltic is in the wetsuit guide.
Frequently asked questions about kitesurfing in Laboe and Schönberg
Can you learn to kitesurf in Laboe?
Yes. The large standing-depth area with a sandy bottom is ideal for learning, and there is a station right on the beach with lessons and rental.
Which wind works in Laboe, and which in Schönberg?
Laboe works in almost every direction except south-east, best in a north-easterly. Schönberg works from north-west to north and from east to south-east, so it picks up exactly when Laboe is off in a south-easterly.
Are there tides in Laboe?
No, the Baltic has practically no tide. The wind sets the water level, and in a south-westerly the lagoon gets shallow.
Where can you kite at Schönberger Strand?
Outside the swimming areas, which are marked in summer. Ask at the stations at Kalifornien and Brasilien for the exact zones.
If you kite here and something in this guide is outdated or missing, email it to info@kitemana.com. We check every tip and add the good ones to this guide.
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