St. Maarten / St. Martin Ranks as Top Caribbean Kitesurfing Spot
From A Sailing to Top Kitesurfing Destination
As a leading Caribbean sailing and water activity destination, it will not be a surprise to many new types of wind driven water recreation have hit St. Maarten beaches. Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is among them, with a wide range of schools to get your brevet, rentals and ranges of kits available on island.
If only a beginner, do not despair: St Maarten / St Martin boasts many experts happy to assist with professional instruction and kitesurfing classes. More importantly, they will tell you where to go and avoid harm to nature.
Experts of travelsite Journee Mondiale listed seven top Caribbean kite surfing spots and St. Maarten / St. Martin is among them!
Where to Kitesurf on St. Maarten / St. Martin
Whereas Journee Mondiale recommends specific beaches on other Caribbean island in its top seven, on St. Maarten / St. Martin, it has difficulty recommending one as the island is a “unique kitesurfing experience with its 36 beaches and varied conditions”.
St. Maarten / St. Martin kitesurfing activity can mostly be found on the northeastern Atlantic coast around Orient Bay Beach. Fierce Atlantic winds provide speed in the sails from the Atlantic, but small Green Cay island (Caie Verte) protects surfers from too forceful ocean currents making this a great kite spot and haven for watersports in general. The area has various kite schools, rentals and sales points. It is the home base of top kitesurfer Theo Demanez.
Nettle Bay has kitesurfing amenities too for trying your skills in the calmer Simpson Bay Lagoon on the Caribbean side of the island. Note that contrary to what the Journee Mondiale article states, Nettle Bay is on the French, northern side of the binational lagoon and not on the Dutch side.
Kitesurfing Advice, Rules & Regulations
Kitesurfing schools and rentals in aforementioned three areas are the advised spot to launch, the more as these can advise on exact regulations pertaining to the location of choice. Find out the allocated launch zone for your kit and limitations of zones before you set sail.
When kitesurfing in Orient Bay, note that adjacent nature areas like Le Galion beach should be left untouched, and fines violating these rules can lead up to 1500 euros. Though a kitesurfing centre is located here too, it will take surfers outside the protected coastal zone to Little Cay island before commencing the ride.
Certain levels of experience are required to set sail independently on the French side. Rules have it you should have upwind riding skills (IKO 3 or green level Federation Francaise Vol Libre) and you can only surf at a minimum of 300 meters off the beach to protect swimmers. Also, give way to parasails, jetskis and other recreational activities. Enquire at schools and rentals for other detailed requirements to avoid harm to nature and fellow beach visitors.
When to kitesurf on St Maarten / St Martin
Experts recommend December through July as the best St. Maarten / St. Martin kitesurfing season. The morning is considered the best moment to deploy your sails when it regards to wind, or after 3pm. In case of Orient Bay the morning might also be your preferred moment as the beach will become more busy with cruise and resort visitors later on.
Wind speed on St. Maarten / St. Martin will be in a 12 to 25 knots range, with an average of 15.
To summarize the St Maarten / St Martin kitesurfing experience, Journee Mondiale befittingly quotes professional Evan Netsch: “What I love about St. Martin is the diversity of spots. You can ride flat water in the morning, hit some waves in the afternoon, and then explore a completely different spot the next day. The island’s dynamic shape creates so many options for riders of all levels.”
How To Get To Kitesurfing Locations
You can reach Orient Bay by bus, but that requires switching between national bus systems when coming from the Dutch side. As with Nettle Bay and le Galion, a cab or car rental is the best way to reach these beaches.
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