France
Orient Bay is the best kitesurfing spot in Saint-Martin, located on the northeast Atlantic coast of the island. This lively beach is lined with bars and restaurants, with a friendly atmosphere favored by locals and tourists.
The riding area is 80 meters from the shore, after a swimming zone prohibited for kiters, marked by yellow buoys. It features crystal clear water with turtles, rays, and proximity to the marine park, for visually rich sessions.
The spot mainly attracts experienced riders, thanks to its wide space of 1.5 miles and local schools like SXM Kite School.
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.
chopchopThe wind comes cross-on from the right, ideal for going upwind to the riding area 80 meters from the shore. The launch area is between Kakao Beach and Bikini Beach, with a narrow sandy beach requiring experience for takeoff.
The water offers flat near Green Cay, chop in the center of the bay, and swell on the outer reef. No major impact from tides on the water type, but beware of shorebreak in winter with north swell.
The bay is wide, with room to maneuver, but it can get crowded with jet skis, parasailing, and boats in high season. Pros enjoy downwinders to Wilderness passing Pinel Island, with boat support for safety.
Ideal conditions are a cross-on from the right at 15-25 knots, for a smooth water surface and rideable waves on the reef.
Varied water conditions with flat near Green Cay, chop in the bay, and small waves on the reef. Crystal clear water, but shorebreak possible in winter.
Currents are moderate due to the protection of Green Cay, but can intensify near the reef or in case of swell. Tides have a low amplitude, with no major impact on navigation.
Opt for sizes of 9 to 12 m² in medium wind, smaller in strong gusts, suitable for the mix of flat/chop/waves.
The wind regime is dominated by trade winds from NE to E, with typical speeds of 12-25 knots, averaging 15 knots. Cross-on from the right at Orient Bay, more consistent than elsewhere due to the Atlantic exposure.
Saint-Martin enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures around 25-28°C. The trade wind season ensures regular wind from December to April, while summer is more humid with a risk of hurricanes.
All months are good for kiting, but winter offers the best stable conditions.
Progressive depth with a sandy bottom, possible foot near the shore but quickly deep after 80m. Clear water up to the reef.
The water remains warm year-round between 25-28°C, generally without the need for a wetsuit, maybe a lycra in winter.
