Kitesurfing in Mauritius
This fast growing watersport gains more and more popularity in Mauritius, for a simple reason -
Mauritius has got everything Kitesurfers and Windsurfers wish for.
The turquoise lagoon with its shallow water and plenty of space is bordered by white, sandy beaches and a reef about 600m offshore.
You will find 1- 5 m waves there depending on conditions.
Both sea and air have nice temperatures year round with an average temperature between 22°C and 28°C.
Here are some information for those who are new to kitesurfing and for the experienced ones.
Kitesurfing spots in Mauritius
All have their peculiarities that are worth knowing.
Kitesurfing at Le Morne
The most famous spot is One Eye at Le Morne in the southwest of Mauritius, and some would even say it is among the best ones in the world.
South-Easterly winds in winter and due to a very specific and local thermal wind in summer, this spot offers ideal conditions almost throughout the year.
The wind usually blows from east or southeast (side shore from the left) and reaches a strength of 3-5 beaufort on average during summer in the southern hemisphere and about 4-6 beaufort during winter. In winter (April to October), the trade wind shows its best side.
The spot can get crowded in winter or on weekends with kitesurfers from worldwide.
Because of extreme conditions in terms of wind and sea current, there were already a few kitesurfers who had to be rescued which is not an esay task due to rough sea conditions and swells .
There is a further challenge for very experienced wave riders about 2 km away: the outer reef, Manawa, with mast-high waves.
Kitesurfing in the south of Mauritius
Baie du Cap
Beginners and confirmed kiters will enjoy
the lagoon of Baie du Cap for its vastness, shallow water and safe environement.
Caution has to be kept when near the fringing reef as this gets progressively shallower as you approach it. The passes should also be kept well clear off, as the current in them is strong, being the only way for the water that was brought in by the waves to get out again. Some waves on the reef should be ridden with great caution, as they are far from the beach and shallow at best of times.
Bel Ombre
Shallow lagoon, first 30m sandy underground, after 100-150m sea grass-shallow, after this many coral patches. Wave-kiting depending on swell direction. When it's high tide and big swell, there is also a downwind current in the lagoon.
Best winds June to October. The spot works on Easterly winds, from about 70 to 180 degrees, and does sometimes offer rideable conditions when elsewhere there is nothing, thanks to a thermal effect.
Watch out for the very strong currents in the channels.
Kitesurfing in the north of Mauritius
In the North of Mauritius Island, nice on-shore winds. Blue lagoon for cruising and waves for action.
Nico Kux , a National Kite Instructor, IKO and BKSA certified, is running his kite center in Cap Malheureux.
Nico was amongst the first to introduce kite surf in Mauritius and has organized several kite surf events and festivals like the Kiteval, an unique kite event that is held in different stages around Mauritius.
Kiters are challenged on race, freestyle, wave, endurance and speed. Prior to each competition, there are fantastic down winders across the most beautiful lagoons of Mauritius and which are amongst the best spots in the world.
For more details or kite lessons, you can contact Nico directly.
Contact Nico
Cap Malheureux
The spot at Cap Malheureux offers a very smooth sea surface but is again for those of intermediary to confirmed levels due to the difficulty of getting started and the speedboats. Good for kiting under nearly all wind directions.
Beware of the tidal levels, most reefs are not passable at low or medium tides.
Anse la Raie
For Beginners to Expert Riders.
A huge lagoon on the northern tip of the island with almost two kilometers of one way riding.
The flat shallow surface suits those learning tricks and even beginners as long as they are assisted.
Kitesurfing in the east of Mauritius
The east offers excellent sites for kitesurfers of all levels.
Prevailing winds are from the South-East or East, there is no land rise to accelerate the wind; kiting conditions are best when the announced prevailing winds are at least of 15 Knots (28 Km/hr.)
Belle Mare-Palmar
The East coast is the windward coast of Mauritius facing the SE trade wind and it is also the coast with the most kilometers of beautiful lagoons with clear, shallow water, and a very flat, easily navigatable area inside the reef: ideal for beginners and for freestylers wanting to improve!
The wind is a steady alizee from 15 to 25 knots with the best orientation for kitesurfing: side on shore! On average it blows 5 out of 7 days at 4 beaufort and above.
Pointe d'Esny
Excellent and beautiful lagoon to ride with particularly clear water . Several downwind destinations such as Ilot Flamand and Ile aux Cerfs several kilometres downwind.
Beware of the strong current between the coast and Ile aux Aigrettes, this is in the same direction as the wind and makes upwind rides all the more difficult.
There are also training centres across the island for a beginner's course and in many regions, there are places that are calmer for initiation courses.
Beginners need between 6 – 10hours of lessons (theoretical and pratical) to learn the basic of kitesurfing, depending on each’s ability.
During the lessons you will learn the safety of your equipment,
flying of a simple kite, launching & landing and body dragging.
Gradually you will manage to manoeuver the kite, to re-launch it off the water and finally to controll it with the board.
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