The best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar (2026)

Q: What are the best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar?

Sakalava Bay is the benchmark. The Emerald Sea can be reached by sailing downwind from Sakalava.

Q: When is the best time of year to go?

From mid-March to the end of November , with the peak season being July to September. The rainy season, from December to mid-March, is best avoided.

Q: How do I get to the spots?

Flight from Paris to Antananarivo , followed by a domestic flight (Air Madagascar) to Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). From Réunion and Mayotte , Ewa Air operates direct flights to Diego Suarez.

Madagascar is one of the Indian Ocean’s best-kept secrets for kitesurfing: turquoise lagoons, consistent winds and virtually deserted spots.

This guide presents the best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar in 2026, the best time of year to visit and everything you need to organise your trip.

In summary:

The best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar are concentrated in the north of the country, around Diego-Suarez: Sakalava Bay and the Emerald Sea.
The wind season runs from mid-March to the end of November, peaking from July to September, with 98 per cent of days suitable for kitesurfing in Sakalava.
Sakalava Bay offers a flat lagoon that’s ideal for beginners, as well as waves for experienced kitesurfers.
Specialist lodges (such as Ocean Lodge) offer accommodation, IKO-certified lessons and equipment hire.
Windsurfing and wingfoiling are also popular here: a real playground for a road trip up north.

The 2 best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar

Kitesurfing in Madagascar is mainly enjoyed in the north of the island, around Diego Suarez (Antsiranana). Three spots stand out for their consistent winds, turquoise lagoons and white sandy beaches.

1. Sakalava Bay, the top spot in the north

Sakalava Bay is Madagascar’s best-known kitesurfing spot. Its large, shallow lagoon, protected by a coral reef, offers flat water that’s ideal for improving your skills, whilst a wave zone is a treat for experienced riders. The wind blows side-to-onshore, and the water remains warm all year round (a lycra wetsuit or shorty is sufficient).

It’s the perfect spot for a first kitesurfing holiday: you can learn in complete safety or string together freestyle sessions.

On site, Ocean Lodge organises kitesurfing holidays with accommodation right by the water, equipment hire and instruction. Just a stone’s throw away, Ramena Beach and its white sand complete the picture.

Check out the lodge’s rates →

2. Emerald Sea

At the northern tip of Madagascar, Babaomby overlooks the legendary Emerald Sea (Emerald Lagoon), a vast, flat expanse of water with otherworldly colours.

Independent riders reach it downwind from Sakalava, either by kite or wingfoil. From Ocean Lodge, we organise the logistics and the return journey.

Others go there by boat for a day’s snorkelling.

When is the best time to go kitesurfing in Madagascar?

The Varatraza, the trade wind of northern Madagascar

The prevailing wind in northern Madagascar is known as the Varatraza, a south-easterly trade wind that blows from mid-March to the end of November. It is this wind that makes the bays of Sakalava, Babaomby and Diego-Suarez navigable almost every day during the southern winter.

Winds are at their strongest from July to September, reaching between 25 and 35 knots. At the start and end of the season, they blow at between 15 and 25 knots, which is ideal for learning. From December to mid-March, the rainy season makes the wind irregular.

The best months depending on your level

The best month depends on your level of experience and the spot you’re aiming for:

Period	Wind	Recommended profile
Mid-March – April	15–25 knots	Beginners
May – June	20–30 knots	All levels
July – September	25–35 knots	Confirmed, vague
October	20–30 knots	All levels, families
November	15–25 knots	Beginners

For your first kitesurfing holiday, aim for mid-March to June, October or November.

Planning your kitesurfing road trip in Madagascar

Getting there: flights and arrival in Antsiranana

The gateway to kitesurfing in Madagascar is Diego-Suarez (Antsiranana), in the north. From France, the usual route is Paris → Antananarivo, followed by a domestic flight (Air Madagascar / Madagascar Airlines) to Antsiranana.

Another option: Ethiopian Airlines to Nosy Be, followed by around 6 hours by boat and road.

From Réunion and Mayotte, Ewa Air operates direct flights to Diego-Suarez.

Allow a full day for the journey in total. Remember to book domestic flights well in advance: there are limited departures and kitesurfing equipment counts as special luggage. Many lodges, such as the Ocean Lodge, organise transfers from the airport.

A sample itinerary for a kitesurfing road trip

A one- to two-week kitesurfing road trip in the north allows you to visit the best spots in succession:

Days 1–6 – Sakalava Bay, then Ramena towards the end of the trip (no kitesurfing sessions in Ramena).
Days 7–9 – Emerald Sea: downwind from Sakalava or a boat trip.
Days 10+ – sightseeing: Montagne d’Ambre, red tsingy, relaxing.

Accommodation and services for kitesurfers

Lodges specialising in kitesurfing

Around the northern spots, there are a few lodges designed with riders in mind, offering direct access to the water.

One of the best is Ocean Lodge, situated on Sakalava Bay: bungalows overlooking the lagoon, an IKO-accredited school, kitesurfing, wingfoiling and windsurfing, home-cooked meals and transfers.

Kite equipment hire and lessons

There’s no need to travel with all your own kit: the spots offer kit hire (kites, boards, lifejackets) and kitesurfing lessons, from your first take-off to freestyle.

A few practical points to bear in mind:

Book early for May and October (school holidays in Réunion and Mayotte), as places sell out quickly.
Check the internet connection: some lodges are equipped with Starlink, which is useful for checking the weather and working remotely (such as Ocean Lodge).
Make sure you have insurance covering water sports and repatriation.

Wingfoiling, windsurfing and kite-related activities

Wingfoiling and windsurfing at the same spots

The northern spots aren’t just for kitesurfing. The Sakalava Lagoon and the Emerald Sea are just as well suited to windsurfing as they are to wingfoiling, a discipline that’s really taking off thanks to the flat water and steady wind.

It’s the perfect opportunity to mix things up during a single holiday, or to try your hand at wingfoiling in ideal conditions.

The combination of kitesurfing, windsurfing and wingfoiling makes Sakalava Bay one of the few spots where the whole family of board sports can be enjoyed together.

What else is there to do apart from kitesurfing?

A kitesurfing holiday in Madagascar can easily be combined with exploring the spectacular north of the island:

The Montagne d’Ambre and its tropical forest, with its lush vegetation.
The red tsingy and the Emerald Sea.
The beaches and islets off the coast of Diego-Suarez, perfect for snorkelling.
Exploring the town of Diego-Suarez, its market and its coastal cuisine.

Plenty to keep you occupied between kitesurfing sessions and on windless days.

FAQ: your questions about kitesurfing in Madagascar

Are you planning a kitesurfing holiday in Madagascar?

Please email us with your dates and your level.

The best kitesurfing spots in Madagascar: the 2026 guide