Nouméa - Baie de l'Orphelinat (Le Méridien)
France
Nouméa
The Baie de l'Orphelinat, also known as Méridien beach, is located in Nouméa in front of the Méridien hotel on Anse Vata. It is a popular spot for kiters due to its flat water and consistent wind, ideal for freestyle.
Situated on a protected point, it offers a turquoise setting in the heart of the New Caledonia lagoon. Kite schools like Nouméa Kite School have their base there and take off for nearby islets like Maître or Goéland.
The spot is small and can fill up quickly, but you can head up to Aquarêve if needed. It is an off place but safe for independent riders.
Les données de vent affichées ici proviennent d’ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) sur 4 ans, retraitées pour refléter des conditions réalistes.
👉 Le vent moyen a été calibré pour éviter la sous-estimation habituelle des modèles.
👉 Les rafales ont été corrigées par un ratio médian afin d’éviter des valeurs extrêmes irréalistes.
👉 Chaque jour est résumé par le vent médian (P50) observé pendant les heures utiles (8h–20h), puis classé dans des plages de vent.
👉 Le mode pondéré mélange vent moyen et rafales pour refléter au mieux le vent ressenti.
- 🟢 10–16 nds : vent faible mais navigable (notamment en foil).
- 🟡 16–22 nds : plage idéale, conditions confortables pour la majorité.
- 🔴 22–28 nds : vent fort, réservé aux riders expérimentés.
- 🟣 28+ nds : conditions extrêmes, navigation engagée.
Localisation & Points d'intérêt
Informations utiles
flat
chopThe spot works perfectly with SE offshore wind, which comes from the point and creates a super flat water surface perfect for freestyle and tricks. Launching is done directly from the Méridien beach, with an easily accessible take-off area at the foot of the hotel.
The navigation area is small and limited, you need to know how to go upwind to avoid the crowded beach. At high tide, the water remains flat and navigable everywhere; at low tide, coral heads emerge, making navigation technical and risky.
If too crowded, you can head up to Aquarêve to the north, or for organized sessions, take a boat to the islets Maître and Goéland 10-20 minutes away, where the water is shallow with foot access everywhere. Lessons depend on the tides to take advantage of the best conditions.
Ideal conditions are in SE offshore winds of 15-25 knots, for flat water and intense freestyle sessions. It works well year-round with this dominant regime.
The water is super flat in SE offshore wind, like a billiard table ideal for jumps and freestyle. At low tide, coral heads emerge, making the water choppy and technical.
Currents are generally weak in the protected bay of the lagoon. However, be cautious of variations related to tides, which can create flows near the channels to the islets.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12 m² in moderate winds of 15-20 knots, and 7 to 9 m² when it blows over 25 knots. Adjust according to your weight and the level of freestyle aimed for.
The wind pattern is consistent in SE, often offshore from the point, which enhances power and creates flat water. Winds are steady throughout the year, with a score of 78/100 and all months rated as good.
The spot captures the typical southeast trade winds of the region, a bit stronger here due to the geography of the point.
The tropical climate of Nouméa offers warm temperatures year-round, averaging between 23°C and 30°C. The dry season from May to October is ideal for kiting with less humidity and more consistent winds.
The wet season from November to April brings more rain but remains navigable, with a high wind score over the 12 months according to local data.
The depth is gradual and shallow in the lagoon, with quick foot access from the beach. The bottom is mostly sandy but scattered with coral blocks to avoid, especially at low tide.
The water remains warm year-round between 24°C and 28°C. Boardshorts are sufficient at all times, no need for a wetsuit.