France
The Carteau beach in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône is located between the Camargue natural park and the Fos-sur-Mer industrial area. It is a very popular spot in the region for its vast water area and family-friendly atmosphere.
The playground is large and sheltered, with nearby parking and a large lawn for rigging and launching. You often encounter many riders, especially on weekends, but the atmosphere remains relaxed.
Offshore, oil tankers pass by while kiters enjoy an atypical setting typical of southern France.
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.
flatflatThe Carteau spot is oriented towards a protected water area in a large cove, ideal for Mistral (NW) and Tramontane winds coming in side-on or side-shore perfectly from the northwest. The wind is steady and side-off in Mistral, which further flattens the water, while you can navigate safely even in southeast winds thanks to the dune protection.
The navigation area is vast in front of the spot, with direct access from the sandy beach, but be careful of algae accumulated on the banks and the slippery ground. The launch area is a large grassy lawn next to the parking lot, clear but sometimes overcrowded on weekends; keep your distance from others to avoid collisions.
Usable year-round, it is perfect for freestyle in the ultra-flat central area like a billiard table, with a small chop or rare small waves further out for jumps. For foiling, move slightly to the left towards a deeper area. Respect the prohibited zones such as mussel parks, inland ponds, along the road or the dike, and follow municipal regulations that govern navigation.
The ideal conditions are a side-on to side-off Mistral of 18 to 25 knots, with a mirror-like water surface for endless freestyle sessions. The whole year is good, but the winter-spring months offer the most consistent winds.
The water is super flat and smooth in front of the spot, like a perfect billiard table for freestyle and learning. There is a small chop as you move away, and sometimes small waves for ramps, but nothing significant thanks to the protection of the cove.
Currents are generally weak in the sheltered cove, but tides slightly influence the water without creating strong swells. There is no major channel to watch out for, making navigation serene for all levels.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 11m² in light to moderate winds, and go down to 7-9m² when the Mistral strengthens beyond 25 knots. Adjust according to your weight and style, the spot forgives mistakes well due to its flatness.
The prevailing winds are the Mistral from the northwest and the Tramontane, strong and steady, often blowing between 15 and 30 knots. They are predictable and persistent, making the spot reliable year-round, with a high wind score of 87/100.
The Mediterranean climate of the region offers mild temperatures year-round, with winters around 10°C and hot summers often exceeding 25-30°C. The seasons are marked by a constant wind in winter-spring and dry heat in summer.
The depth is very shallow, you can stand almost everywhere in front of the spot with a gradually sandy bottom. For more depth while foiling, go slightly to the left.
Water temperatures range from 12-15°C in winter to 22-25°C in summer. It remains suitable for kiting year-round with an appropriate wetsuit, especially in the Mediterranean.
