Mer d Emeraude Kitesurf Spot in
Africa Kiteboard Spot in Madagascar
Kitesurfing in the beautiful clear seas of Madagascar's Emerald Sea, AKA Mer d'Emeraude, is a fantastic excursion option. The Emerald Sea, near Diego Suarez in the far north of the island, is a hidden kitesurf spot with tons of space, perfect flat water on the inside of the lagoon and waves on the outside.
The Emerald Sea lagoon, separated from Diego-Suarez Bay by the Babaomby Peninsula, is an incredible kiteboarding playground. With a length of 12 kilometers, it offers a vast kitesurfing area with different options for different riders. If you are at a good enough level it’s well worth organising a downwinder here to see the lagoon while passing through fishermen's villages and surfing some perfect waves on the reef.
Mer d Emeraude Kitesurfing wind conditions
Because the launching and riding conditions are a bit challenging, the Emerald Sea lagoon is better suited to riders with some experience, but there are schools here if you want to learn and a vast area to do so.
The wind in the main season ranges from 20 to 40 knots, so it can get strong here, maybe pack a small kite! The trade wind kicks through between April and November, but June-September generally offers the most consistent wind conditions. Depending on what you’re after you can ride waves or freestyle here, so it offers a nice mixture.
body wear
- board shorts
- short neo
downwinder
- Yes
ride type
- freeride
- freestyle
- hydrofoil
- wakestyle
- wave
skill level
- beginner
- intermediate
- advanced
- professional
spot type
- island
- lagoon
- ocean
- reef
starting area
- sandy beach
water condition
- choppy
- flat water
- medium wave
wind daytime
- all day
Wind Stats for Mer d Emeraude Kiteboarding
Around the Kiteboarding Spot Mer d Emeraude
Madagascar is not a well developed kite hotspot, so don’t expect bars and nightlife here. Locally you can go snorkelling or fishing, maybe meet some lemurs and hang out with the locals for a bbq on the beach. It’s still very much a wild island with not a lot to do except enjoy the beauty and fierceness of nature, and travelling around is an adventure in and of itself. But it’s an island with a lot to offer if you are willing to put the effort in. There are multiple national parks to visit, the famous Baobab trees in the West of the island and an incredible variety of wildlife all over.
camper parking
- Not allowed, but possible
car parking
- Far away
emergency
- A rescue service
has restaurant
- Yes
has toilet
- Yes
has shower
- Yes
How to get to Mer d Emeraude and how to bring it about while you're there
Public transport in Madagascar means 12+ hour minibus rides, and flying is expensive, so don’t expect an easy and cheap trip to get to the spot, it’s either easy and expensive, or long and cheap! You can fly to Arrachart airport (DIE) with a connection through Ivato international, or go local and catch the bus from there, it’ll be a crazy experience!
accommodation
- at the spot
public transport
- Not existing
rental cars
- Not recommended
Notice
Very remote spot, only possible to get there by boat, which cannot pass if it’s low tide. Best arrange the transfer in advance.
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