France
The Anse l’Etang beach in Tartane, on the Caravelle peninsula, is a long stretch of fine sand facing the Atlantic. Well-equipped with picnic areas under the trees and a lifeguard station, it attracts bathers and surfers in a lively local atmosphere.
The spot is known for its waves on three distinct peaks, accessible after a lagoon. The east wave is suitable for longboarding, the middle one for shortboarding, and the left Cocoa for advanced surfers near the rocks.
Close to Tartane, a fishing village, it is a popular spot for locals for surfing, with schools and rentals nearby, although kitesurfing is less documented here.
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.
wave
flatThe Anse l’Etang beach is oriented towards the Atlantic, with a typical trade wind of Martinique blowing mainly from NE to E, making it a side-on or side-shore spot for kitesurfing depending on the season. The water state varies with the tides: at low tide, the lagoon protects a calm area for launching, but you must cross it to reach the outer waves; at high tide, access is more direct but the current intensifies.
The navigation area extends over the three wave peaks: east for gentle waves, middle for intermediates, and west (Cocoa) for advanced with nearby rocks. Launching is done from the sandy beach after the lagoon, with take-off possible under the trees but beware of local wind shadow. The best months are January, February, March, April, May, August, October, November, and December, with a wind score around 55/100 and actual speeds around 15-25 knots (the 210 kts data seems erroneous).
Local feature: Atlantic exposure that generates chop to wave quickly with swell, ideal for strapless or towed surfing, but watch for shifting sandbanks and return to shore.
Ideal conditions are a side-shore wind from NE to E between 15 and 25 knots, with moderate swell for rideable waves without excessive chop.
The water state is chop to wave due to the Atlantic exposure, with waves of 1 to 3m on the peaks depending on the swell. The lagoon offers a relatively flat area at low tide for beginners.
Currents are moderate in the lagoon but can intensify near the outer channels and with the rising tide. Tidal range is low in Martinique (0.5-1m), but be cautious of Atlantic flows during swells.
For typical winds of 15-25 knots, plan for sizes of 9 to 12m² for freeride, or 7-9m² for waves and strapless.
The wind regime is dominated by northeast to east trade winds, with average strengths of 15-25 knots in the dry season. No specific local name, but reliable during the best months: January to May and October to December, with possible gusts facing the Atlantic.
The climate in Tartane is tropical with temperatures between 25°C and 30°C year-round, more humid during the rainy season from June to November. The trade winds from the northeast dominate from December to May, providing dry and windy conditions ideal for sliding sports.
The bottom is sandy with a gradual depth after the shallow lagoon (1-2m). Standing possible up to 50m in the lagoon at low tide.
Water temperatures vary little, around 26-29°C in the dry season (December-May) and 28-30°C in the wet season, with no need for a full wetsuit.
