can anyone provide details of:
The best location on the island for kiting
The best time of year
The water temp at that time
The best hotel to stay in

Thanks

Hi Hepburn,

I am in Mauritius as we type. That is a difficult question. What are you looking for? Mauritius has a lot to offer and unfortunately, one spot that does everything is a little hard to find.

Waves, flat water, foiling?
Family friendly?
Budget?
Time of year?
Do you want more than just kiting?
Length of stay?
Accommodation class?
Your skill level and level of confidence/self reliance?

I have spend time in the North, the South East and South West now. Their windy season is June until September. Water temperature at this time of year is between 24 and 28 degrees depending on time of year and location.

Le Morne is unquestionably the best place for waves, but is also possibly the most dangerous location on the Island if you are not at a high skill level.

The East and South East coast is mostly flat water inside the lagoons created by outer fringing reefs. Perfect for foiling and flat water twin tips.

There is a vast array of accommodation from cheap 2-3 star to 5-star resorts of course all at varying prices. Give me more of an idea by answering the above questions and I can give you finer points.

Regards,

DM

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ActionSportsWA said..
Hi Hepburn,

I am in Mauritius as we type. That is a difficult question. What are you looking for? Mauritius has a lot to offer and unfortunately, one spot that does everything is a little hard to find.

Waves, flat water, foiling?
Family friendly?
Budget?
Time of year?
Do you want more than just kiting?
Length of stay?
Accommodation class?
Your skill level and level of confidence/self reliance?

I have spend time in the North, the South East and South West now. Their windy season is June until September. Water temperature at this time of year is between 24 and 28 degrees depending on time of year and location.

Le Morne is unquestionably the best place for waves, but is also possibly the most dangerous location on the Island if you are not at a high skill level.

The East and South East coast is mostly flat water inside the lagoons created by outer fringing reefs. Perfect for foiling and flat water twin tips.

There is a vast array of accommodation from cheap 2-3 star to 5-star resorts of course all at varying prices. Give me more of an idea by answering the above questions and I can give you finer points.

Regards,

DM

What size kites should I take if I am going in August to Le Morne - Many Thanks

Every time I go there I use all of my kites 6,8,10,12 m V Reos and have also seen kiters out on 4m and 17m But as average for times I have been there 8&10 m

Agree with Vendeavours.

I used 12, 9 and 7 at Le Morne. It's been a pretty windy season by all accounts. I've had solid wind here everyday wince I arrived and there is no sign of it stopping.

DM

I am at Le Morne this week.
It has been really consistent wind every day from 10am to 5pm

Twintip riders are on 8 to 10.
Directionnal wave riders are on 7 to 9.

Nice. I'm headed to Le Morne in August. Is there anywhere that'll hire sups, and / or sell pumps etc? Keen to travel light!

Any other tips from your time there Ben or Darren?

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FOT said..
Nice. I'm headed to Le Morne in August. Is there anywhere that'll hire sups, and / or sell pumps etc? Keen to travel light!

Any other tips from your time there Ben or Darren?

It's been quite a few years since I was there FOT but I hired a SUP from Club Mistral which is (was at least) just a bit East? along the beach from where you will be launching at Le Morne.

As you can see in this video there is a few waves right out the front that are fairly good for a SUP, the further you venture out the more full on they get.I paid for 10 hours worth of hire which I used in a handful of sessions over the time I was there.

The boards stay there and you just grab them when you want one, which means you can try different size/type boards depending on what is available at the time.

Hi FOT,

the "Club Mistral" was taken over by the ION guys. They hire gear. There is a truckload of sups at the RIu Creole water sports Centre which I'm sure you can hire.
There is a North kiteboarding shop in La Gaulette ( and many other brands) where you could buy a pump. There are loads of kiters there, if you're extra charming, you may be able to borrow a pump, but personally, I'd just bring one.

Its been a pumping season by all accounts. 25 knots for most of today and yesterday at D'Esny and probably more at LeMorne.

DM

Action Sports,

Thanks for your reply. In answer to your questions:
Waves, flat water, foiling? - Lagoon, flat water would be my choice
Family friendly? - yes
Budget? - to some extent but expect to pay for good quality
Time of year? - is selectable
Do you want more than just kiting? - yes - scuba diving and snorkeling and water skiing and windsurfing
Length of stay? - one week to ten days
Accommodation class? 4 star or 5 star
Your skill level and level of confidence/self reliance? - been windsurfing for thirty years (very competent) , kiting for only two years so turns are still a bit unreliable. Would feel OK kiting alone in a flat water, on-shore wind environment.

Would prefer accommodation close to the kiting spot so as to avoid car hire

Thanks for your help

Iain

Hi Hepburn,

Thanks for the clarification. I'd look at the North of the Island. I stayed in Anse La Raie at the Zilwa Attitude. It was a very beautiful resort 4.5 star I think. Very family friendly, safe swimming area even for toddlers. They have windurfers, Laser dinghys, Hobie Cats, peddle boats, Stand Up Paddle boards, and 40+ foot big cat for family days out. Loads of pools, loads of bars, amazing food and 4 different restaurants not including the buffet.

Water sports like slalom windsurfing and kitesurfing are from a small bay just west of the resort off the lagoon at the ION Club. Super friendly guys that run the kiting area and windsurfing is from Paradise Cove resort also in an ION Club. The paradise Cove resort would also be a nice place to stay but didn't look as plush as the Zilwa Attitude but in a better location due to access to the windsurfing and Kiting. The guys from the ION club will come and pick you up in their boat and will drop you off too if you are doing lessons or renting gear. Otherwise, it's a 7 minute cab ride for 200 rupees.

The lagoon has some shallow reefs which will be pointed out to you but also has some waves out on the reef further upwind, otherwise it is a very large lagoon that seemingly goes for miles, loads of space and not many kiters/windsurfers to get in your way. Beaches are a bit average in the North.

Pointe D'Esny has way better beaches and amazing kiting but not much to do for the family. You could check out the Preskil Resort, it's only a 10 minute walk to the kite spot (can't launch in front of Preskil due to rocks, shallow water and lack of launch space). There are loads of guest houses of varying levels of quality and many homes for rent. Not really near anything apart from the Airport. Blue Bay is nice but I wouldn't stay there.

Le Morne is a bit dodgey for newer kiters, the lagoon is very busy, has a strong current that runs downwind and is shallow in many spots. Contact with reef is almost assured, especially at low tide. **** gets real pretty quickly if your kite gets tangled when the surf is big because you can be swept out through the pass in a matter of minutes. I also wouldn't want little kids anywhere near the water due to current and swell surges which can wash your legs out if a little person.

Hope this helps. It's been a killer windy season this year. I haven't seen it stop blowing in the whole time I've been here. It's been epic. There is a lot to like about Mauritius and it's not so big you couldn't rent a taxi or car for the day and check out the whole Island.

DM

Thanks for the replies Darren and Tightlines. I'll check out club mistral for hire gear in LeMorne, looking forward to it!

Cheers.

Thank you very much DM for your very helpful information

regards

Iain

..... And while you are in Mauritius, its a small jump to Madagascar - if youre into low key accom, strong trade winds (25kn+) and offshore free ride waves, then check out the Emerald Sea in the north east tip (Babaomby)

About to pack up to head to Le Morne, th also for the advice Darren and crew.

Last question - Air Mauritius baggage allowances -

Is their a weight limit for oversize baggage up to 300cm (all dimensions) states $160 aud (each way I assume,), but I can't see a weight limit.

Any ideas?

PS. Anyone know of SUP hire in less Morne they let you take the board with you? May just take kite gear and hire an SUP

Cheers

FOT

Ion Club in the Hotel Riu Creole on the beach at Le Morne has a decent range of SUPs for hire. Ask nicely and they might even boat you out to the break and save a bit of paddling!!

Air Mauritius has a 30kg allowance 1 piece. So if not taking your SUP a stuffed board bag <2M is enough for board, three kites and everything else you need. No additional charge. Packing a few heavies in the carry on may help!

Have a great trip!

Hey FOT,

Very jealous, enjoy!

Yes up to 30 kg check on luggage + 7kg carry on. They check! Additional baggage has just gone up this year. It was $125 per additional piece, but it's now about $180 AUD per additional piece each way so pack carefully and leave your SUP at home.

Have have a great trip.

DM