KITESURFING HOLIDAY - MAURITIUS

THE LURE
It lies in the world's third largest body of water, the Indian Ocean, 1000 miles east of Madagascar, and has a year-round water temperature of 25ºC. Dominated over 300 days a year by a regular pattern of wind oscillations, called the monsoon, Mauritius is quite simply paradise on earth for kitesurfers. It is some 1865km² and together with Reunion and Rodrigues, forms part of the Mascarene Archipelago.

THE SPOTS:
You will be hard pushed to find an island with such versatile conditions. Southeast trade winds kick in from May to October and make the north, east and south coasts the hosts of formidable and varied conditions.

THE EAST:
As trade winds blow South East, the East is the windward coast of Mauritius, but also the one with the most acres of amazing lagoons and diversity of spots. If you are looking for wild spots, variety or kilometers of downwinders, the East coast is made for you. The most famous spots are from South to North: Pointe d’Esny, Trou d’Eau Douce, l’Ile aux Cerfs, Palmar and Belle Mare, Bras d’Eau, Roches Noires… There are spots for all tastes no matter if you are looking for easy “swimming pool–like” spots or for “adrenalin” spots. Whatever your choice, it is uncrowded.

LE MORNE:
Situated at the foot of the impressive landmark, the Le Morne Brabant Mountain, Le Morne in the southwest offers everything any level of kitesurfer could wish for, boasting extremely steady and consistent trade winds, blowing side-shore from the left that have travelled over the sea unabated for 4000 miles. With its reputation for the huge man-making waves that break at One-Eye that have appeared in every kiteboarding magazine, you'd be forgiven for thinking that this is a hardcore venue only. Quite the opposite is true, there are lagoons dotted all around the island like the one in Le Morne, where acres and acres of shallow, flat water make for the ideal learning and blasting spots. A reef 600 metres offshore protects the lagoon, providing smooth and consistent conditions for a perfect day's kitesurfing. This is undoubtedly the most popular spot on the island, but there are many more.

Respect the locals above all and ask for their advice. It can get busy here, and as long as you're respectful of them, you'll have a great time.

THE NORTH:
The north is the more developed part and has good venues to ride. Plenty of flat water inside the reef and many opportunities to get some waves on the reefs. The beaches are smaller so always check with locals about the suitablility of any area. At many spots at low tide there are some coral heads and patches to look out for. Some of the breaks on this island are expert-only waves, however, if conditions are right, some of the waves can be suitable for wave novices braving the first attempts at getting among the vertical walls of water.

WIND & WEATHER:
The seasons in Mauritius are opposite to the northern hemisphere, though the most constant trade winds occur in their winter time – our summer time. Frequent but brief showers occur especially during the warmer months (November to March). Expect temperatures between 24 and 31°C in the summer and roughly 7°C less in the winter.

WATER:
The water temperatures are warm, reaching 27°C in the summer, and 22°C in the winter. The wind can feel chilly at times in winter, so it's a good idea to take a shorty wetsuit.

CENTRES:

KITESURF PARADISE - Palmar / Belle Mare, East Coast of Mauritius
Kitesurf Paradise Ltd is a multidisciplinary kiteschool on the windward coast of Mauritius Island, where the most lagoons are to be found. KP offers all level kite lessons by IKO instructors on the easiest spot of Mauritius, great downwinders with professional organization, but also whatever the wind, stand up paddle in the amazing mangroves around Trou d’Eau Douce.

The kiteschool spot is located on a quiet turquoise lagoon with flatwater and a white coral sand beach on which the South East trade winds blow side on shore.

DOWNWINDERS:
The downwinder spots stretch on kilometers of crystal clear lagoons on the east Coast of Mauritius Island with tropical vegetation as a background.

Other centres are at Le Morne and several spots around the North.

ALTERNATIVES:
The stand up paddle spots are mainly the mangrove of the Ile aux Cerfs island and the mangrove of Bras d’eau for the flatwater, and the Trou d’Eau Douce Bay for the little waves.


OFF THE WATER:
As you would expect, the seafood here is excellent and popular all over the island. There are plenty of other restaurants dotted about, especially in the north. This is a quiet island, and is also not a place to come and party, so nightlife is minimal. As the more developed end of the island, you will find all the usual infrastructure in the north, with more nightlife, restaurants, bank and exchange offices, yacht charters, diving centres, car and bike hire, hotels, spas, massage sessions, sports centres and other watersports.

ACCOMMODATION:
Mauritius is an island of extreme beauty, and you can expect the same from your accommodation, with everything from huts on the beach to private beach-side villas and hotels.

The official language is English, however French is widely spoken too.

DON'T MISS:
• Swimming with Dolphins.
• Trekking on Brabant Le Morne.
• The market in quatre Borne.

AIRPORTS:
Plaisance (MRU): The airport is in the south east approximately 2 hours drive from either the East, the North or Le Morne.

GETTING TO MAURITIUS:

Air Mauritius have regular flights from all over the world including a daily schedule from major European Capitals. It also has frequent flights from Australia and South Africa.

USEFUL LINKS:

Mauritius in Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius