Carribean Kiteboard Spot in Martinique
Baie du Marin
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Baie du Marin sits on Martinique's southern coast, centered around the island's largest marina. This harbor was historically a major export point for sugar and rum. Today, it's a massive boat parking lot known for its protected waters and consistent trade winds. Kiting here means navigating a minefield of masts and anchor lines.
Kite Schools(1)Madinina Kitesurf
St Anne
Learn about
Baie du Marin Kitesurfing wind conditions
The dominant wind here is the Alizés, the local name for the trade winds. They blow consistently from the east (E) to east-northeast (ENE). At the main Pointe Marin beach, this means side-offshore conditions. Wind speeds typically run between 15 and 25 knots. If a squall, locally called a grain, rolls through, expect it to jump to 30+ knots in seconds. The Alizés are gradient winds, driven by the Azores High. There's a real gap wind effect at play: the wind hits the Atlantic side, squeezes through the low valley between Vauclin and Marin, then shoots out into the bay. It's a natural venturi. The wind is lazy. It starts filling in around 09:30 once the sun warms the land. It usually peaks between 14:00 and 16:00, then dies off sharply by 17:30. Reliability is high, with the Alizés blowing approximately 85% of the time during the peak season from January to April. The water inside the bay is mostly flat to moderate chop. There are no real waves here; any wave action is limited to small chop. If you venture deep into the mangroves, you'll find butter-flat water, but the wind gets dirty and gusty.
body wear
- short neo
downwinder
- Yes
ride type
- freeride
- freestyle
- wakestyle
- wingfoil
skill level
- beginner
- intermediate
- advanced
- professional
spot type
- island
- ocean
starting area
- boat
water condition
- choppy
wind daytime
- in the afternoon
- midday
wind type
- spotTags.value.windType.Alizés
Check out
Historical Wind Stats for Baie du Marin Kiteboarding
How is the wind
Forecast for Baie du Marin the next days
Infrastructure
Around the Kiteboarding Spot Baie du Marin
Le Marin is the main town, a functional hub. Sainte-Anne, a short drive away, is where the tourists go. Skip the overpriced marina restaurants. Head to the "Lolos" at Pointe Marin for real food. A Ti' Punch costs €5-7. Accras, the local cod fritters, are about €6 for a dozen. The area is a yachting capital. If you're not kiting, you're probably on a boat. On no-wind days, visit Habitation Clément, a rum distillery 20 km north. Or hike the 4 km "Savane des Pétrifications" loop near Sainte-Anne; it's a dry, dusty walk through a desert-like landscape, a stark contrast to the rest of the island.
camper parking
- Only by day
car parking
- At the spot
emergency
- A rescue service
has restaurant
- No
has toilet
- No
has shower
- No
Logistics
How to get to Baie du Marin
Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) is 32 km away. Public transport via Martinique Transport buses (Ligne Express 1) from the airport to Le Marin costs about €5, but service is infrequent and stops by 18:00. If you land late, you're stuck with an €80+ taxi. You need a car. Taxis are a rip-off. Driving from FDF to Le Marin takes about 45 minutes in light traffic, but can take 2 hours during the morning rush hour, locally known as the bouchon.
accommodation
- near the spot
public transport
- Mellow
rental cars
- Recommended
Notice
The bay is crowded with anchored yachts and moving charter boats. Stay out of the main navigation channels. Anchor lines will eat your fins. Sargassum seaweed is generally less of an issue here than on the Atlantic side, but if the wind swings southeast, the bay can fill with the brown, stinking weed. Unmarked sandbars and reef heads are present, especially near the marina entrance. Kiting is restricted in the immediate marina area. Launch from the south end of Pointe Marin beach, but watch out for swimmers; they have priority.
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