World-renowned surfing spot

Windsurfing School in Madagascar · Sakalava Bay

Q: Is windsurfing actually on offer, or is it mainly kitesurfing?

It’s a discipline in its own right here. We maintain a full fleet fitted with Goya sails and carbon masts, ranging from 72 to 180 litres. Few lodges in the bay still offer this.

Q: What level do you need to be at to go windsurfing?

None. Our lessons start with stable floats and lightweight sails, right in the sheltered lagoon.

Q: Are materials provided during the lessons?

Yes, everything is provided: board, sail, harness and wetsuit. You don’t need to bring anything; everything is available on site.

Q: Can I hire equipment to sail on my own?

Yes. Full rigging available for hire; free storage if you bring your own equipment.

Windsurfing school and equipment hire in Madagascar, specialising in freeride and wave riding at the legendary Sakalava Bay spot, near Diego-Suarez. Ideal wind conditions thanks to the Varatraza, warm water and a large, safe stretch of water.

Unique wind statistics

Windsurfing in Sakalava: sliding, jibing and wide open spaces

Whilst Sakalava Bay is world-renowned, it offers an exceptional playground for windsurfing. Driven by the powerful Varatraza wind blowing side-to-onshore, the lagoon becomes an ideal playground for freeriding.

The flat water area sheltered by the coral reef is ideal for perfecting your planing technique, practising smooth jibes or getting started gently, thanks to a simple, safe and accessible launch point right at the foot of our eco-lodge.

Many of the lodges in the bay have shifted their focus to kitesurfing and no longer maintain a proper windsurfing fleet. Here, it’s a discipline in its own right.

Teaching & safety

Our windsurfing courses

Led by experienced instructors, our lessons are tailored precisely to your pace and your learning objectives.

Introduction

Getting started

Learn how to hoist the sail using the winch, find your balance on wide, stable floats, and steer your board. Your instructor will be with you in the water.

Further training

Harnesses & advices

Take on the speed with this course: master the use of the harness, learn how to clip into the footstraps and stabilise your jibe lines at high speed.

Ride & Style

Your ride, your waves

Perfect your jibe, practise your wave entries on the reef and refine your style in real-world conditions. Personalised coaching tailored to the day’s wind and swell conditions.

Lessons & hire

Windsurfing prices

Private lessons from €60 per hour · Premium windsurfing hire from €65 for half a day.

Equipment & services plus

Windsurfing equipment hire & dedicated services

For independent riders, our centre offers full rigs and the latest boards, perfectly suited to the wind conditions in Sakalava.

Our beach team is on hand to guide you, ensure your safety when setting off and returning, and keep a constant watch over the entire rideable area of the lagoon.

Bringing your own kit? Storage is free and secure at the lodge.

Windsurfing equipment available

Sails from 3.7 to 5.7 m²: Goya wave sails
Wishbones and carbon masts
Freeride and wave boards: 72, 80, 86, 93, 102, 108, 115, 130, 145 and 180 litres
Board brands: Quatro, AHD, Starboard (Ultrakode, Kode)
Children’s equipment: sails from 1.5 to 3.6 m²

Good to know

Equipment selected to suit the varied conditions of Sakalava Bay, from freeriding in the lagoon to more challenging sessions on the reef.

Between sessions

Enjoy our restaurant overlooking the lagoon

After your session, enjoy a range of homemade dishes, created by our pastry chef. There are two menus to choose from at every meal (lunch and dinner), with no fixed times: you can eat whenever you get out of the water.

Fun & Fly Partner

A spot recognised by experts

Ocean Lodge is listed and marketed by Fun & Fly, the French tour operator specialising in kitesurfing and windsurfing holidays. If you’re unsure about booking accommodation 9,000 km away from home, this should put your mind at ease.

Experience the adventure

Combine a passion for sport with the comfort of the great outdoors

Please contact us to confirm your dates of stay. We will put together a bespoke package including your accommodation in a bungalow overlooking the lagoon, half-board or full-board, and your windsurfing activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions you may have before booking your windsurfing lesson.