Tartane - Plage du Ponton
France
Tartane
The Ponton Beach in Tartane, Martinique, is a small sandy beach located at the entrance of the village, in the heart of the Caravelle peninsula. You can find fishing boats and a few small restaurants, in a tranquil atmosphere typical of local spots.
Close to the famous Anse Bonneville, a renowned surf spot, it offers easy access to the sea with a view of the Atlantic. It is a place appreciated for its simplicity and proximity to the town of Tartane.
The beach is lined with coconut trees and invites relaxation after a session, with accommodations and water activities just a stone's throw away.
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
chopchopThe Ponton Beach faces east, ideal for east trade winds that blow side-on or side-shore from the right of the beach. The water surface is generally choppy due to the Atlantic swell, but calmer at low tide when the shallows provide some protection to the area.
Launching is done directly from the fine sand at the edge of the beach, easily accessible even for beginners, but be careful of fishing boats moored near the shore. The navigation area extends between Ponton Beach and Brêche Beach, a fairly narrow but confidential space, with waves and shallows making the spot technical.
Launching the kite is possible on the wide beach in the dry season, but care must be taken with the space around walkers and fishermen. Sessions are best in the morning when the wind is thermal and less disturbed by the afternoon land breeze. Local feature: immediate proximity to the village for recharges and breaks, and a view of the surf spot at Anse Bonneville 250m away.
Ideal conditions are a side-on east wind at 18-25 knots, stable and thermal, to enjoy the waves without too much excessive chop.
The water surface is choppy with short Atlantic swells, and waves of 1 to 2m depending on the weather. Rocky shallows dot the area, creating a technical ride for experienced riders.
Currents are generally weak near the beach but can strengthen near the entrance channels of the town. Tides are moderate in Martinique, with a range of less than 1m, having little influence on navigation but making the shallows more visible at low tide.
Opt for kite sizes of 9 to 12m² in average trade wind conditions, and 7 to 9m² when it picks up beyond 20 knots.
The trade winds from the east dominate, blowing at an average of 15 to 25 knots for 8 months of the year. The wind is steady and consistent due to the exposed position of the Caravelle peninsula facing the Atlantic.
Main direction E to ENE, reinforced in the morning by the local thermal and sometimes stronger in the dry season.
The climate in Tartane is hot and humid tropical, with temperatures around 28-32°C year-round. The dry season from February to May offers the best comfort, while the rainy season from June to November brings more humidity but maintains a steady wind.
The best months for kiting are January, February, March, April, May, August, October, November, and December, with an average wind score of 55/100.
The depth is gradual with a bottom mixing sand and rocky areas. You can stand on the first 50m or so, then it drops quickly with irregular shallows.
The water temperature remains constant between 26 and 29°C year-round, with no need for a shorty wetsuit at worst.