Tartane - Plage des Surfers
France
Tartane
The Surfers Beach in Tartane, on the Caravelle peninsula in Martinique, is a renowned spot mainly for surfing with its consistent waves. Facing the Atlantic Ocean, it attracts surfers of all levels, especially on weekends when the atmosphere is lively. There are surf schools and equipment rentals nearby in this small fishing village.
It is accessible on foot from nearby accommodations, with a direct view of the waves. Although kitesurfing is not the main activity here, the spot can be suitable in light wind for riders looking for varied water conditions. The environment is preserved, close to the Caravelle nature reserve.
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
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waveThe Surfers Beach spot is oriented facing East-Northeast, ideal for capturing the trade winds from the Northeast that dominate in season. The wind is generally onshore or side-on from the NE, making launching technical due to a coral barrier near the shore. The navigation area is located offshore of the waves, with several peaks for surfing but risky for kiting due to the Northeast swells with long periods.
Launching requires caution: avoid coral reefs and breaking zones. Launching is done on the sandy but narrow beach, preferable at high tide for more space. The water is chop to wave depending on the swell, with waves up to 2.5-3m that hold the swell well. For kiting, stay in the outer zone to avoid conflicts with surfers and swimmers, especially on weekends. The best winds for kiting are side-shore from the South, but rare here.
Ideal conditions are a side-on NE wind at 15-20 kts, stable without gusts. Avoid strong pure onshore winds that increase chop and waves.
The water is choppy with reef break waves, more chop in onshore wind. Mixed sandy and coral bottom, with long swell from the Northeast. Variable conditions: flat is rare, often wavy for jumps and kite waves.
The currents are moderate, influenced by Atlantic tides with a low tidal range of about 1m. Beware of cross currents near the reefs during large swells. Tides do not significantly alter the spot, but high tide makes access easier.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12m² in light trade winds, or 7-9m² when it picks up to 20+ kts. Adjust according to your weight and wave level.
The prevailing winds are the trade winds from the Northeast, steady and around 15-25 kts in the dry season. The regime is reliable due to the trade winds, with calmer morning sessions and strengthening in the afternoon. The ideal wind for surfing comes from the South, but for kiting, prefer the rare side-on from the NE.
The climate in Martinique is tropical with temperatures around 25-30°C year-round. The dry season from January to May offers the best conditions, while the wet season from June to December brings more rain but also wind. The best months for this spot are January, February, March, April, May, August, October, November, December.
Progressive depth with a sandy and coral bottom. Shallow near the shore but quickly over 2m offshore, foot possible up to 20-30m depending on the tide.
The water remains warm year-round between 26-29°C, with no need for a wetsuit in the dry season. Slight drop to 25°C in winter.