Rosalie - Rosalie Bay
Dominica
Rosalie
Rosalie Bay, located on the east coast of Dominica in the parish of Saint David, is a black sand beach bordered by lush vegetation. It is an isolated and wild spot, perfect for those looking to get away from tourist crowds. The bay offers an impressive natural setting with its clear waters ideal for snorkeling and water sports.
The spot is accessible by car from Marigot or Atkinson, but the launch area remains limited. Locals appreciate this place for its authenticity and kitesurfing potential when conditions align, even though it is not a heavily frequented spot.
Surrounded by jungle, Rosalie Bay combines adventure and sailing in a preserved Caribbean setting, with eco accommodations like nature lodges nearby.
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 dominant wind comes from the east to northeast, ideal in onshore or side-on for this Atlantic-facing spot. The launch area is on a small sandy beach, with limited space requiring caution during takeoff. Once in the water, navigation takes place in open ocean with shallow areas near the shore and small to medium waves depending on the swell.
The launch is sandy but technical due to limited space and trees along the beach. Prefer the central part of the bay to avoid overly exposed areas. The water surface varies with the tide: more flat at high tide, chop at low with small waves. No major channel, but watch for wind drops outside E-NE.
For sessions, stay in the protected bay center, and avoid drifting towards the ends where the swell increases. It is a versatile spot for foiling in shallow water or freestyle in moderate chop.
Ideal conditions occur with a wind east to northeast at 18-25 knots, in side-on for a clean and manageable water surface. Avoid west directions that do not work at this spot exposed to the Atlantic.
The water surface presents a mix of chop and small to medium waves, with shallow areas near the shore. The water is crystal clear, suitable for foiling or light surfing when the swell rises. The bottom is mainly sandy with some coral areas.
Currents are generally weak to moderate in the bay, influenced by Atlantic tides. Beware of occasional rip currents near rocky points in case of swell. Tides have a moderate range of 1-2m, impacting navigability little.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12m² in typical conditions of 15-25 knots. Go larger 11-13m² for light days, and 7-9m² when the wind picks up beyond 22 knots.
Trade winds blow regularly at 15-25 knots from east to northeast, reinforced by coastal thermals in the afternoon. The best months are December, January, February, and March, with averages around 20-23 knots. Currently, the wind reaches 22.8 kts with a score of 48/100, rideable conditions but not optimal.
The tropical climate of Dominica offers consistent temperatures around 26-30°C year-round, with a dry season from December to May and a rainy season from June to November. The trade winds ensure mostly sunny weather on the east coast, but short showers are possible in the afternoon.
The depth is gradual with a sandy bottom and shallow areas up to 50-100m from the shore. Ideal for foiling or easy restarts.
Water temperatures hover around 26-29°C year-round, peaking at 28-30°C in the hot season (June-November). Generally, no wetsuit is needed, a lycra is sufficient.