Mauritius
Île aux Bénitiers is a small paradise islet off Le Morne, in the Rivière Noire region of Mauritius. Accessible by boat from Morne beach or by kitesurfing for the more experienced, it is a wild spot with a white sandy beach lined with palm trees and a turquoise lagoon.
This spot attracts riders for its secluded atmosphere and calm waters, away from the crowds of the main Morne. It is often visited for a quiet session after having sailed from the mainland.
Surrounded by the reef, the island offers stunning views of the Morne Brabant mountain in the background.
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.
chop
flatThe spot at Île aux Bénitiers only works well with north winds, which happen rarely, about 10 to 20 days a year. In these conditions, the wind is side-on from the mainland, perfect for stable navigation in the sheltered lagoon. The launch area is directly on the fine sandy beach, with a wide and obstacle-free take-off zone.
The navigation area is bounded by the outer reef, offering flat to light chop space ideal for freeride or foil. Intermediates and advanced riders can explore offshore, but caution is needed for the return. At high tide, the water surface is more homogeneous and depth increases for easy jibes; at low tide, the water remains navigable but with some flatter areas near the shore.
To access by kite from Le Morne or La Gaulette, expect 10-15 minutes of downwind sailing with a support boat recommended. It is a technical spot that rewards good riders, with low traffic even in high season.
The ideal conditions are a north to northwest wind of 18 to 25 knots, clean side-on without gusts. This is perfect for long sessions in a secluded setting.
The water surface is mostly flat with light chop in the protected lagoon, with a clean sandy bottom. In strong winds, a small chop forms for nice jumps, with no powerful waves unless you go outside the reef.
Currents are generally weak in the lagoon, but they can accelerate near the reef passes during water outflow. Tides are moderate with a tidal range of about 1 meter, mainly affecting access to outer areas.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 12 m² in typical north wind, smaller like 7-9 m² if the wind exceeds 25 knots. Foils can use 11-14 m² in light winds.
The prevailing winds are southeast trade winds, but at Île aux Bénitiers, it is the north wind that activates the spot, which is rarer and often lighter. The strength varies from 15 to 25 knots in favorable season, with a thermal regime in summer that reinforces the usual southeast trade winds.
The climate in Mauritius is tropical, with pleasant temperatures year-round between 22°C and 30°C. The austral winter from May to October is drier and windier, while the summer from November to April is hot and humid with rare cyclone risks.
The depth is gradual with a mostly sandy bottom. You can stand up to 50-100 meters from the shore, ideal for progressing safely.
The water ranges between 24°C in winter and 28°C in summer, always comfortable without a thick wetsuit. A lycra is sufficient year-round.
