Martinique – Kiteboarding on the Flower Island of the Carribean

Martinique is probably not the first spot in the carribean one would choose if he or she is not from a french speaking country. But it’s definitely woth to have a closer look at and take into consideration.

Martinique is part of the French Antilles. In the North of Martinque, the next island is Dominica, in the South you have St. Lucia. For those who are not really familiar with the carribean islands: let’s say it’s in the “middle” of the carribean islands. Martinique is French Territory. This means you are kind of in France over there. So you pay with Euros and you are in the European Union – which is quite funny, because when you travel along the island you will pass several places where you will see a “Built with sponsorship of the Europen Union” sign. Ok but don’t bother, you’re really in the carribean :)

As Martinique is part of France, you can imagine they speak French there. Most of the tourists and kiters going there are also French. So you can assume now – you will need some French over there too. On the Airport, at your Appartement, in Restaurants or Supermarkets: be sure you know some basic French – else you will absolutely not be able to communicate. All the people are really friendly but just a few speak English. This is true for most of the older people – with the younger ones you will be fine with English. And of course the people who kite over there will also help you out in English … I write so much about this, because i mean it like this! I had a hard time over there in the 1st week until i unpacked my few French words from the back of my brain … :)

The island itself is beautiful. Totally green, nice nature, beautiful beaches. Do not expect super-touristic places there, as far as I experienced it – they don’t exist, and that’s nice. I hope it stays like that. So now let’s get to the important kitestuff-facts.

Kitesurf Spots Wind and Weather Webcams Other stuff Price-Level Accomodation Car Rental Schools Flight Information

On this page, you should find everything you need to plan your XXX Trip.

These peaces are especially put together for Kitesurfers. Recommended accomodation, car rental etc. are recommendations from other kiters who put together their holidays themselves and know how to get the cheapest stuff down there.

Main Kitesurf Spots in Martinique

Pointe Faula

Pointe Faula is the Main Kitebeach in Martinique. It’s located in the South-East and it’s officially allowed to kite there. You have also the most kiters down here. As well as kite-schools and all infrastructure you like (Kiteshop, Cafés, Restaurants, Kiteschool, Toilettes, Showers, etc.) It’s especially nice because you have grass on the beach (for those who like that, like me). Between those mega-high palm trees there is enough place for everybody to pump up his kite without crossing anybodies lines. I was there for 3 weeks in February and it was never over-crowded. If you arrive, have a look at the sign that explains how the spot works – where you are allowed to kite and where not. And than pump up your stuff, go out and enjoy this absolutely super-amazing flatwater lagoon thats over 4km long!!! It’s really super cool. Check out some pics here:

Cap Chévalier

Cap Chévalier is also in the South-East of Martinique, about 25min drive south from Pointe Faule / Vauclin. Officially it’s not allowed to kite there – but lot of people do, also locals. So if you try, just be aware that you launch before the rock (see on the photos) where the boats are and not after the rock where the people swimm. If you hurt somebody then … well – decide yourself. The spot is also beautiful, flat, but not as big as in Pointe Faula. Myself i was there just for 1 time in 3 weeks because Pointe Faula is simply better for training and fun. But of course it’s nice to see this place too and when you’re there it’s good to go out too. Of course :) Here are some picks to get a better impression:

Other Spots

I really visited all the beaches on the island. North, South, East, West and i can tell you there are nice beaches, but to kite, it’s better to stick to Pointe Faula. The others are either gusty, or not good to launch, or dangerous because of currents or …. you can check it out yourself, what i want to say is just don’t expect to much from other beaches regarding kiting. There are beaches that are more beautiful than Pointe Faula or Cap Chevalier, but to kite, don’t go somewhere else.

Wind and Weather

I visited Martinique End of January / Beginning of February and we had 3 weeks wind in a row. This was of course with some luck, but i flew home with the feeling of having been to the most wind-safe spot of the world :) The statistics say you should better come January to May. December and June can work to, but as the wind period starts / ends here you better pic the safe middle. January to May is Carribean “Winter” which is the nicer time to stay. You have just little rain, lots of sun and yeah well, it’s just nice carribean feeling :)

• Windfinder forecast for the next days »
• Windguru forecast for the next days »
• Windguru Wind Archive »

Martinique Kitebeach Webcams

We found no useful kitebeach-cams for Pointe Faula or Cap Chévalier by now. Just some useless traffic cams here :) If you know a good Webcam at this spot? Drop us a mail, please ;)

Other must-visit-stuff, Nightlife and good-to-know things

If you are looking for big kite-party-holidays then go somewhere else. In the villages near the kitespots you will not find any big party, not even a cocktail bar like thing. If you want this, you have to go to Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique – which is 45 min by car from Pointe Faula. So if you live near the spots expect a super-chilled kite-holiday with good creol food and rum and maybe some little beach-parties you have with people you meet at the beach. Have a good dinner at the beach and drink a “Ti-Punch” with your friends – relax.

If you want to do some siteseeing – go to Fort-de-France, St. Anne, Le Marin, Saint Pierre.

What about the crime?

Well, i would say it’s pretty safe over there, in my 3 weeks i felt safe all the time. Nevertheless the rule that is always valid is valid here too: Don’t do stupid stuff, and don’t go somewhere where it’s obvious or most likely something could happen. But well, i went to a lot of places in Martinique and never felt that way. Just don’t walk with a “stupid tourist” sign on your head trough the street… understand?

Price-Level

You feel like you are in France. But all the imported stuff is a little more expensive. So it’s NOT cheap, but if you live in an appartement and cook yourself – you can by local or cheaper stuff. If you want to eat in restaurants all day – this may take some extra budget. A good Seafood Plate in the restaurant is about 20 Euros, a beer 2,5-3 Euros, Chicken Sandwich at the Beach: 3,80 Euros. ATMs are available all over the island.

Accomodation in Martinique for Kiteboarder

If you come to Martinique for Kiteboarding, i recommend living in Vauclin, as near to Pointe Faula as possible. Myself, I booked to late so i didn’t get anyone there but found a very nice new one a 5min drive away in Baie de Mulets. I strongly recommend this as the appartements are cheap, super new und stylish and you have a really nice swimming pool. There is nothing around the appartement house, so you will always need to use your car, but if you also want to relax, you should check out this. WIFI is available of course. Here is the contact:

MAKARÉ Laggon Club
http://makarelagoonclub.com/
Please tell them you are referred by welovetokite.com – greetings from Mathias from Austria :)
Really strongly recommended – i also visited some of the appartementhouses at Pointe Faula and this one was definitely the nicest i saw.

Here are some contacts to other Appartements in Vauclin that may suit you

Cases Mabouya
Bungalow 100m from Pointe Faula
http://cases-mabouya.com/

2 Bungalows and 2 Studios 2-3 km from Pointe Faula
with Pool
http://www.location-voyage-martinique.com

Car Rental Tips

All the big car-rental companies are there at the airport. There are of course some local ones. I used Car’Go Martinique. A local guy who organises everything for you, picks you up at the airport and it’s cheaper than the big ones (They have a partnership with Makare Lagoon Club, so if you say you were refered by them you may get a discount!). You can find Car’Go Martinique here: http://www.cargo-martinique.fr/

Kiteboarding Schools in Martinique – Pointe Faula

As far as i know there are two schools at Pointe Faula:

• Airfly972
• UCPA Center Martinique

Flight Information

There are direct Flights from Paris to Fort-de-France. If you come from Europe, this is most likely the best way to go. If you are lucky you get flights about 500€ from Paris to Martinique. If you travel through Paris, be aware that flights to Martinique go from Paris Orly and not from Charles de Gaule. You have to take your luggage and bring it to Orly, they don’t check it through.

Fo find some cheap flights check out http://www.cheapflights.com, or your local “flight search engine” for best offers. There is no super-duper-insiderthing i can tell you for flying over there for free ;)