The poor reviews for this place surprised me, but after my trip there they were unfortunately confirmed. When I arrived at the front desk, I was simply ignored. The woman made eye contact with me and knew I was there, but just kept looking at her phone and having a casual conversation with her coworker. It was honestly weird... and frustrating. Then they were very arrogant. They were trying to tell me what size kite and board I should use, even though I've been kiting for years and knew which size I should be on. I ultimately took their advice, but had to come all the way back in to switch to the size I originally wanted. They also don't advertise the true price to rent gear. It said $150 for 3 hours on the website when really you have to pay an additional $40 + tax. The 40 covers "insurance." The real cost was over $200. Then I asked to buy some sunblock and realized at that point I was just getting ripped off. They gave me a tube the size of a chapstick for $20. I asked if there were any other options... nope! That tube lasted me two applications. Next time I will bring my own gear and kite somewhere else. What a shame. read more

Excellent experience overall. The entire team is very professional. The system they use is great as it allows you to go through the different learning stages as quickly as possible. Being such a challenging sport in the beginning umthis is crucial to avoid frustration. Franco has always been helpful and is very focus on making sure you are making the right progress. They are also very honest when there is not going to be wind for you to avoid spending time in the water without progress. I took classes with Lionel and Kevin, both are highly recommended. read more

Agata....her attitude/reputation/ability to be nasty....even this many years long...has completely turned me off to kiteboarding..I have been out of junior high school for decades....yet I spent thousands of dollars to learn to kite-board....just to be harassed over and over by this employee of Miami kiteboarding read more

We purchased a LivingSocial voucher for 4 semiprivate kiteboarding lessons (2 for me and 2 for my wife). Due to abdominal surgery I couldn't use the vouchers until the very last day they were valid. Two weeks before that day I emailed Miami Kiteboarding but never received a reply. Then I called and left a message - no reply. I called again and spoke to someone who said that he couldn't help me and I should email the owner. I did that and the guy (Chris) responded a day later. After clearing up the issue with the vouchers I called again to make an appointment. The day of the appointment we arrived on time. Still, there was no one there to talk to. The guy who was there (from another company) told me that it was closed. When I said that I had an appointment he sent me to the back to "ask for Ryan". I eventually found Ryan and was informed that he was actually our instructor. There was another guy doing the course so we got started about 45 minutes late. Ryan, an English guy, is very nice and a very good instructor. After about 1 hour of beach introduction we were ready to go in the water. Ryan asked us if we had signed the waivers and we said no as there was no one there when we arrived to do that. He sent us back to the office since he said he needed the waivers signed before proceeding. So we walk back to the office and talked to a blond girl, apparently from Eastern Europe. I had actually seen her before we started the lesson but she had ignored us. She gave us the waiver forms and we filled them out. She asked how many hours we had purchased and we said 4. She told us we had only 2. I said that we had 2 each and that that equaled 4 hours (that's what it said on the LivingSocial voucher, too). It got pretty bizarre when she said that "2 and 2 is 2" (news to me!) but we eventually agreed we each had 2 hours of instruction. She then said that we had half an hour left but we disagreed because we started 45 minutes late and we spend 15 minutes walking to the office and back to fill out forms that we could have filled out much earlier had the girl not arrived to work late. That argument got a little heated and culminated in her telling by wife "Listen, lady, ...." in that "Listen, b*itch, ..." tone of voice. Her overall attitude was really bad. We then finished the lessons in the water (no board yet, just kite control and being dragged through the water) and wrapped everything up. To summarize the experience: great instructor, terrible organization, customer service and admin people. We will continue with kiteboarding but not with Miami Kiteboarding! read more

Professional and well run. Physical beauty of the location us amazing. Really enjoy any and all time spent there.

I guess those are all old reviews (maybe they were just starting out?) and I have to say my experience was completely different. Just wanted to do them justice after my lesson this past weekend and seeing how badly reviewed they were on Yelp. I actually had not idea it was that bad on Yelp (although 2 reviews is nothing to rely on 100%) and booked based on the amazing location they are located at and the fact that they are IKO certified (which does testify of some quality/consistent instructors and would be a great plus if I want to become an instructor myself). I also really like Key Biscayne and Crandon Park area. Beautiful quiet beach and a lot of space with outdoor BBQ for the weekends get away grills. First of all, I have to say it didn't start all that great, I had tried to email them this past summer and indeed it took a couple of days to get an answer and I quickly noticed that phone was the quickest/best way to interact with the staff. No surprise there as they are on the beach most of the time and I can understand that email checking might not be as convenient or a priority. I've found them to be very responsive on the phone. Staff is very friendly and helpful. They explain all the details within the offer and conditions (wind based, 24hr notice, etc...). Booking system is great and sends you a confirmation and reminders by email. Sadly we haven't been lucky with the wind lately. Had to reschedule 2-3 times already and still haven't been able to use a kite in Miami (my wife and I already took a lesson in NYC this past summer). However, and I thought it was great, they offered this past time to work on our board control by doing some wakeboarding behind one of their jetskis. We had an amazing instructor (Brendan) who was very knowledgeable, laid back and patient. I have some experience wake boarding but my wife didn't and I think Brendan did a great job catering to both of us. I got to try every single type of board you can imagine (twin tip long/short, surf no strap, wakeboard no fin...) and also work on some key skills (riding switch, toe side, one handed...), while they spent a lot of time with my wife getting her up. Even had a second instructor come and help so one could be driving the jetski and the other helping her get the feeling of getting up in the water. I was kind of wondering how pricing worked in that case since we booked a 2hr kitesurfing lesson but ended up with 2hr+ wakeboarding. Would have been fair to be either same or slightly less but at the end of the lesson I was ready to pay the same. We were happily surprised when they told us that it only counted toward 1hr of our booked lesson! Yay! We've been sore now for the past 2-3 days but very satisfied and would definitely recommend them based on this experience! read more

Clean, safe and new equipment. Pleasant and friendly staff. Reasonably priced for being in such a prime spot. Would recommend to anyone of any skill level. Had a great time with my wife, son and daughter!!! read more

Great people and great location. The staff is talented and can help people of all levels improve. I'll be back.

This place delivered a bad experience from the first interaction. When I tried to schedule a kite boarding lesson, I emailed them and received a reply asking to call. I called and called and called for three straight days before I finally received a return call. Eventually, I scheduled a lesson, but was soon intercepted by a competing outfit who apparently has an "association" with Miami Kite Boarding, whatever that means. I spent the two days before the lesson juggling calls from the two outfits. When I finally arrived to the beach this afternoon, there was drama and everyone was in an ill mood. Apparently, a renegade boarder was doing tricks and putting others in danger earlier in the day. Okay, fine, but don't ruin everyone else's experience. I paid $200 for a shared lesson. The lesson began with an hour of equipment setup, which started 25 mins late. The equipment itself was lower quality than what I've used in the past and setup should never take an hour. We encountered repeated delays, which ate into my riding time. Furthermore, the instructor was attempting to juggle another beginner who was getting setup on another section of the beach. The whole setup was poorly planned. When I eventually got out on the water, the instructor gave me a few tips, told me the boundaries and wished me well. I didn't see him again until he came out to get me at the end of my lesson. Great lesson...I learned so much! When I asked him, "is the time up", he replied, "yeah, a long time ago." He took the kite and rode it back up the beach, but when I arrived back at the shack approx 20 mins later, it was only 4:15. My lesson was scheduled for 2-4. Worst of all, he blamed me for the other guy in the shared lesson leaving in frustration. Still worse, the dude behind the counter - Stu - was still complaining about the renegade boarder. In summary, this place is anything by chill or laid back. They are uptight and full of drama. Worse yet, they are not organized, the lessons are not well planned and the equipment is the least expensive you can find. I've kite boarded in a few different locations, and quite frankly, have had far better experiences with better equipment in third world nations. You can definitely do much better in south florida. read more

Called to schedule 9 hrs of private instruction - first day they emailed a couple hrs before to cancel on me. Second day they emailed an hr before to cancel saying there was no wind. Never called. They promised a refund which has yet to happen. read more

very disappointing experience. first of all the personnel there are highly unfriendly. all they talk about how to best extract as much money as possible. definitely no chilled, relaxed atmosphere there. it's business business business. furthermore the regulation seem so drastic there, that it makes you stressed out from the outset. plus they want you to pay 20$ just to kite there? really? just another scheme from them to take your money. my girlfriend took a lesson there (200$ for 2hours). by the time they gave her a wetsuit, etc.. and walked over to the beach where the kites were, 40mins were gone. still no information on kiting. luckily she had done a couple of lessons before so was not a complete beginner. it was then time to walk into the waste-deep water to practice, finally with a kite. instead of walking to the spot with her student (journey time 1 minute), the instructor kited over to the spot (20mins). so 1 hour and 100$ later she was finally hooked up to the kite and the lesson began. after 45 mins EXACTLY and without her having tried with the board on (she only played with the kite), the instructor told her it was time to go back! she told him that she wasnt gonna go back without trying at least once with the board. so he abided, and she was so worked up that she did her first 4-second ride! needless to say that its a shame that such a great spot to learn is spoiled by a money machine such as miami kiteboarding. why arent other kiteschools fighting for this spot? there should not be a monopoly there. the whole spirit of the sport is lost on the business man that christophe is, and his little crew of stuck-up and totally unfriendly people. try another school at all cost (so to speak) read more

Love it!!!I have taken my second lesson at Miami Kiteboarding. The experience has been awesome. The staff is incredibly patient and top professionals. The detail to safety allows you to progress through the various stages in a confident manner. The Key Biscayne , North Beach location is like none other. It is perfectly suited for learning, and beautiful to see the more advanced kite-boarders developing their skills. There was easy access to parking and only $7. This company is committed to the sport and they encourage everyone to experience this exciting and adventurous water sport. I'm on my way to getting on the board and look forward to where the wind will take me. My instructor Calvin had such great attitude, easy going super patient as I mastered each step. Christophe the owner came by gave some great tips and many words of encouragement. This is so exciting but it is definitely a process. You will need to commit at least 15 hours to achieve the various step and have a safe and super cool experience. I'm so glad I chose to go to Miami Kite Boarding. I feel safe and I'm accomplishing my dream to find an awesome water sport that I will be able to do on my own. The other kiteboarders help you out too. It's a fun and healthy lifestyle. You won't regret it. The wind the water it's perfect. Life is better when you are kiteboarding come on get out there... enjoy you day read more

Miami Kiteboarding - Perfect location for Kiteboarding in Miami 2016 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Key Biscayne, Florida

What started out as a perfectly handled inquiry to Kiteboard lessons turned south very quickly after arrival. We had a agreed to semi private lessons after first requesting a private lesson which they were not able to accommodate. So after letting him know that my husband had 6 lessons under his belt; he suggested the semi private. Confident that he would still be working directly with the instructor, he agreed. Upon arrival to the beach shack on Key Biscayne. We were ignored and given no instructions on how to proceed with check in. Finally, someone came around and asked if we had been helped and then told the girl who had been there the whole time to get him check in. Once he and the other "semi" were ready, they then had to pick up there kite and head for a good piece down the beach to even be able to get started. There was no individual instruction given. HE was just told he was doing it wrong and that "you can't do that". but never given any help with what he was doing wrong until they were walking back to the shack. We have kiteboarder in Aruba and Turks and Caicos and never had a bad experience. I guess there is always a first. The bad news for the kiteboarding company is we are buying a home in the area and were looking for regular place to continuing to develop skills, but this obviously will not be the place. My husband was very frustrated and completely disappointed in the experience. read more

I am 55 and last year decided to learn how to kite board. I took about 14 hours of lessons with Miami Kite Boarding with several different instructors. Each one of the instructors were amazing and completely knowledgeable, skilled and knew how to move my abilities up step by step. It's not an easy sport to learn, but the instructors at Miami KB were great motivators and were always there to encourage me. They also had my safety as their number one priority. I have now been kiteboarding for a year and it has become my passion. I became a member at Miami KB so I can go there year round. I can't say enough positive things about my experiences with Miami KB. I have recommended them to all my friends and family that are interested in Kite Boarding. read more

My boyfriend and i purchased this package on living social or groupon, one of those sites. I was psyched as i've been wanting to do this for quite some time. It wasn't all that bad, but it took forever to schedule an appointment due to their schedule, weather, and wind... which i can understand. But it just seemed like the ad was a ploy to get us in, and then didnt give us anything. I gave them 3 stars, but we never actually kite surfed. Im going to key west next month to learn down there. read more

The instructors might be great, the place looks good but i dind't get the chance to practice there. It is 6 month i am trying to get a lesson. It looks like people working for miamikyteboarding didn't me to get a lesson with them. Lessons cancelled without telling me... date and time of lesson different on their calendar than what we agreed on the phone. Very bad experience. I don't recommand them. read more

Last Friday, July 11 2014, my husband and I discovered Miami Kiteboarding on Key Biscayne. Two very lovely women helped us make our day, which was my husband's birthday, a very memorable one! After being let down by another snorkeling company in the area, Miami Kiteboarding rented us a double sea kayak for 3 hours, lent us some snorkeling equipment, explained to us where to go. We left soon after with our picnic lunch on the kayak, ate alone with the birds on a wide sand bar, saw many fish and ocean life while snorkeling in a bright warm turquoise ocean!!! After close to 4 hours in the sea we got back with no extra charges. I would highly recommend this place if you like the outdoors, the ocean and water sports. As we got back, a few people were taking kite boarding lessons...next time we'll try! Thanks again for making Mike's bd a special one! Sylviane read more

Don't do it. Disorganized and inconsiderate. I took the time and expense to drive 3 hours. Their "hired" boat broke down and myself and 3 others were sent away. I requested a refund and was told THREE TIMES that it was being processed. Every time I was told by Franco that it had been processed. Sumia was my contact during the lessons, but didn't respond to my calls for customer service. Finally, I spoke with Sumia, and she proceeded to tell me how unreasonable I was. Don't deposit, don't depend on their planning, DONT DO IT!! read more