- Shallow - Flat - Chop - Medium Wave (1-3m) - Big Wave (> 3m)
Hazards:
- Currents - Ships/Boats - Reefs - Rocks
Quality:
- Crystal Clear
Best Tide:
- High Tide
Flat, smooth water. Choppy water as well as waves that pound on the reef. Be sure to ask the locals about the best areas and test your way out carefully, as there are many coral reefs that surround the coast here. Two or three different wave spots will delight those that are that way inclined, but beware of the tidal levels, most reefs are not passable at low or medium tides.
Small protected cove with white sand. The public beach at Cap Malheureux is situated right by the Chapel. This is a touristic landmark, with its view on the northern islands, but does not have a very good entry point for kiters. However you will find, 100 meters to the left when looking out to sea, after the rocky point, a perfect long white sand beach with good wind for launching on East and Northeasterly days. Another good access used by the locals is situated on a private beach. For this launch you will have to speak to the guys from kite school situated right on this spot.
The best season stretches from May to November with water temperatures between 22°C and 26°C and air temperatures between 22°C and 30°C. Short rain showers possible all year round.
The main wind is a steady SE blowing sideonshore here, about 15 to 25 knots on average during the best months from June to October. From December to April the wind is not so steady nor strong. The Alizee then blows enough for 7 days out of 10. November to May: average wind 3-4 Bft. June to October: average wind 5-6 Bft. Riding conditions here are usually best in Southeast, East and Northeasterly conditions, although very rare Northwesterly winds have been good as well.
Ask locals before to avoid getting on private estates. Always be extra careful in lagoons when approaching channels and passes, the current will surprise you very often and you will get sucked out to sea before you know it. Usually sharks also like to hang around there, as they can just sit and gobble up the morsels that come ripping past. Around the island there are a lot of fish, so every boat has its rod or hand line for fishing which is constantly in use, so do not pass to near boats as you might get caught up like a fish. Behind moving boats there are often trawling lines, these are a great trap.
07-06-29 Toby: Nice waves and perfect flat water...all on one spot! But I strongly recommend to contact local kiters or entities before you come here to get very important info about where to launch and when to go out. The wave breaks are further out, so if something happens, it is good to have a back up.
07-06-29 23:38 Toby: Went out with a 16 today, but I was partly very powered. I would say about 16-23 knots. The wind was a bit up and down, due to some short rain showers passing by. The waves outside were up to 2m high. High tide was at about 1pm. Nice and flat downwind of the small islands. Cloudy weather. Shorts with a long sleeve lycra where a bit fresh in the afternoon. You can ride with shorts or shorty, depending how your prefer it.
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