Mauritius
The beach of Riviere Des Galets, nestled in the south of Mauritius, is an internationally known kitesurfing spot. Accessible to all levels, it offers consistent waves and thrills thanks to a small reef that deflects the surf for added safety. The atmosphere is peaceful, in the midst of wild nature.
The spot is located near a coastal village, with the left wave in front of a cemetery. It is a popular place for its authentic setting and reliable wave potential all year round in the south of the island.
The conditions allow for safe surfing even for intermediates, with a wind that is often side-off, stabilizing once outside.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
wave
chopThe spot mainly works with winds from the southeast or south, side-on or side-off relative to the west-southwest facing beach. The wind is often gusty at the beach near the cemetery, but it stabilizes once on the water after passing the low reef. The launch is done directly from the grassy beach upwind, not always easy for beginners due to gusts.
The navigation area is centered on the left wave, with heights of 2 to 3 meters max, ideal at high tide. At low tide, the reef shows and reduces space, making navigation more technical. The water is choppy near the shore, but cleaner outside where the waves form on the shallow reef. For freeriders, there is room for long runs before the main reef.
Local peculiarity: the spot is isolated, perfect for a quiet session without crowds, but one must aim for the right swell periods for consistent waves. Cautious take-off on the windy beach, and be careful with launches near trees or the cemetery.
Ideal conditions are with a southeast side-on wind of 18 to 25 knots, at high tide to maximize space on the reef. A moderate swell of good period enhances the left waves.
The state of the water varies with the tide: chop near the beach, smoother outside on the wave. Short and moderate waves form on the reef, offering consistent surfing without being too powerful.
Currents are generally moderate, but those near the reef should be monitored as they can accelerate with the tide. Tides have an average amplitude, and navigation is preferable at high tide to avoid exposed areas.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 11 m² in light to moderate wind, and go down to 7-9 m² when it picks up beyond 20 knots. Versatile wave kites are perfect for this reef spot.
The prevailing winds are the southeast trade winds, consistent and strong year-round, particularly from May to October. The regime is reliable with strengths around 15-25 knots, sometimes stronger in the dry season. The local name is related to the southeast trades that sweep across the south of the island.
The climate in the south of Mauritius is tropical, with pleasant temperatures year-round between 22 and 30 degrees. The austral winter from June to September is the windiest and driest, while the summer from November to April is warmer and more humid with rare cyclone risks.
The depth is shallow on the reef, with a coral bottom that shows at low tide. Near the beach, it is sandy and shallow up to the take-off of the wave.
The water temperature ranges between 24 and 28 degrees year-round, warmer in summer (26-28°C) and a bit cooler in winter (24-26°C). A lycra is usually sufficient.
