Antigua
Please wait
MADAGASCAR KITESURFING HOLIDAYS
MADAGASCAR KITESURFING HOLIDAYS
MADAGASCAR KITESURFING HOLIDAYS
MADAGASCAR KITESURFING HOLIDAYS
MADAGASCAR KITESURFING HOLIDAYS
Why you'll love kitesurfing in Madagascar!
Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, is a land of unparalleled biodiversity and rich cultural heritage. Known for its unique wildlife and stunning landscapes, Madagascar offers an adventure like no other.
Every aspect of this island invites discovery and awe. Whether exploring its endemic species or enjoying local cuisine, a journey to Madagascar is both enriching and unforgettable.
Here at Planet Travel, we focus on the northern part of Madagascar, which has the best ocean sports and logistical infrastructure, although it is still extremely primitive. It is important that you have the very best ground support in Madagascar, as the roads are very rough, requiring good-quality 4x4s and expert drivers. Internal flights in the country are very unreliable, although they have improved in recent years. All our holidays to Madagascar are tailor-made with great care, always considering the best logistical arrangements.
View
Image Gallery
Beginner (10/10), improver (10/10), waves (7/10)
Sakalava Bay and Emerald Sea
Kitesurf Holidays
Madagascar's Ultimate Kitesurfing Playground If you're searching for one of the most exciting and unspoilt kitesurfing destinations on the planet, few places come close to Northern Madagascar. Combining the legendary flat water of Sakalava Bay with the vast turquoise lagoons of the Emerald Sea, this remote corner of the Indian Ocean offers world class kitesurfing in a setting that still feels genuinely undiscovered.
Unlike many modern kitesurf destinations that have become crowded and heavily developed, Madagascar remains wild, authentic and incredibly rewarding. Here, you'll find endless stretches of empty coastline, traditional fishing villages, crystal clear water and some of the most reliable wind anywhere in the world. For experienced riders, it is a dream destination. For progressing kitesurfers, it offers huge areas of safe shallow water and consistent conditions that make rapid progression easy.
Whether you are looking for flat water freeride sessions, freestyle conditions, epic downwinders, foilboarding, wave riding or simply a unique kitesurf holiday far from the crowds, Sakalava Bay and the Emerald Sea deliver an experience unlike anywhere else in the Indian Ocean.
Sakalava Bay Kitesurfing - Located around 40 minutes from Diego Suarez (Antsiranana), Sakalava Bay is Madagascar's most famous kitesurfing destination and for good reason.
The bay is protected by an outer reef, creating a huge expanse of flat and relatively shallow water inside the lagoon. The setup is ideal for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders alike. Those looking to improve their riding can enjoy large areas of forgiving flat water, while more experienced kiters can venture towards the reef where small waves and stronger conditions create a completely different playground.
The bay is wide open, uncrowded and incredibly wind reliable. During the main season, the powerful south easterly trade winds blow almost daily, often delivering long sessions from morning until late afternoon. Wind statistics regularly place this region amongst the most reliable kitesurfing destinations in the world.
Sakalava is also one of the easiest places in Madagascar to learn kitesurfing. Launching is straightforward, the water is warm year round and the wide sandy beach provides plenty of space. Several professional kite centres operate directly on the bay, offering lessons, equipment rental and guiding.
The Emerald Sea – Madagascar's Most Spectacular Kitesurf Spot - If Sakalava Bay is Madagascar's most famous kitesurf spot, then the Emerald Sea is undoubtedly its most beautiful.
Known locally as Mer d'Emeraude, this vast lagoon lies just north of Sakalava and stretches for kilometres between remote sandbanks and reefs. The water here is almost impossibly clear, glowing shades of turquoise, emerald and deep blue depending on the light and tide.
The Emerald Sea offers huge areas of shallow flat water that seem to go on forever. There is so much space that it is entirely possible to spend an entire session without seeing more than a handful of other riders. For many visitors, this is the highlight of a Madagascar kitesurf holiday.
The conditions are perfect for freeride, freestyle and foilboarding, while the outer reef provides excellent wave riding opportunities for advanced kiters. Boat supported sessions allow riders to access the very best sections of the lagoon, while guided downwinders reveal hidden beaches, tiny fishing villages and untouched stretches of coastline that few travellers ever see.
One of the great attractions of the Emerald Sea is the feeling of exploration. This is not a resort beach lined with hotels and beach clubs. It is a vast natural playground where the scenery often feels completely untouched.
Wind & Kitesurfing Season - The Northern Madagascar wind season is exceptionally long, generally running from May through to November, with the strongest and most consistent conditions typically occurring between June and October. During this period, the famous trade winds blow offshore across the coastline, producing reliable conditions that attract kitesurfers from around the world.
July, August and September often deliver the strongest winds, making Northern Madagascar a fantastic destination for riders who enjoy powerful conditions and smaller kite sizes. More moderate winds are often found at the beginning and end of the season, making these months particularly appealing for less experienced riders.
View
Image Gallery
Beginner (10/10), improver (10/10), Intermediate (10/10), waves (6/10)
North Madagascar
Kitesurf Holidays
A Kitesurf holiday to North Madagascar is an exhilarating mix of super reliable stong wind, warm turquoise waters, rich culture, endemic wildlife, and awe-inspiring landscapes. The area, particularly around the North East (Sakalava Bay, Babaomby, and the Emerald Sea), is renowned for its steady trade winds, which blow consistently from May to November, making it one of the world’s top kitesurfing destinations. These winds, usually between 15 to 30 knots, create ideal conditions for all levels, with flat waters and small to medium waves that suit freestyle, wave riding, and those seeking smooth, effortless cruising along the shore.
Beyond the perfect conditions for kiting, Northern Madagascar offers a raw, untouched beauty that sets it apart. The beaches are pristine, with soft white sands, calm blue lagoons, and lush tropical forests lining the coast. You’ll often find yourself kiting in solitude, surrounded only by nature. The biodiversity here is extraordinary, with species found nowhere else worldwide. Between kitesurfing sessions, you can explore the nearby forests and nature reserves, spotting Madagascar’s famed lemurs, colourful chameleons, and rare plants.
As always, Planet Kitesurf Holidays, we have scored the destination during a comprehension site visit for the very best locations and accommodation options, both on the coast and inland. From a kitesurf perspective, there are three options:
Sakalava Beach - This is the easiest kitesurf beach to access, just 40 minutes by 4x4 from Diego Suarez. Sakalava is also per have the easiest spot for kit siring as there is a huge flat water bay, and you can launch straight from the beach. This is perhaps the best location for Learning To Kitesurf in Madagascar. Most of the properties along this beach (of which there are around 10, plus around 6 kite schools), are very basic. There is really only one property (Sakalava Kitesurf Bungalows) that has reasonable quality, plus the very best kitesurf school for training next door.
The Emerald Sea and Babaomby Beach - The Emerald Sea is a little North of Sakalava, and can only be accessed by boat. At the Northern end is Babaomby Beach, which has the best access to the top kitesurf areas in this huge lagoon. Although there are some small beaches to launch from, it is best to take a trip by boat to the best spots in the Emerald Sea. Our partner kitesurf school here takes our client every day to the best sport in the lagoon, as well as arranging epic downwinders. The Emerald Sea is also great for learning, as there is a huge space. As with Sakalava, most of the properties dotted along this coast line are very basic. Planet works with the very best available here, based in a prime location. See our Emerald Sea Kitesurf Lodge.
Miavana Island - This is an ultra luxury island resort, only accessibly by private Helicopter from Dieo Suarez (30 mins), or Noise Be (50 mins). The Kitesurfing here is either directly from the resort or from a number of surrounding small uninhabited small islands and lagoons, which are perhaps some of the very best kitesurfing spots on The Planet. Included in your stay is a private power boat with kitesurf instructor/guide, crew, and use of the latest F-One kitesurf equipment. There are endless lagoons and pristine beachs to kitesurf from in and around Miavana, some accessed by boat, and some only accessible by Helicopter.
Outside of kiting, you’ll experience a rich, warm culture. Malagasy cuisine, based on fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and unique spices, is full of flavour. Dishes like romazava, a flavorful stew, and freshly grilled seafood are local specialities, often served right on the beach with an ocean view. Venturing into local villages and markets adds an extra layer to the experience, where you can meet artisans, explore traditional crafts, and get a feel for daily life in Madagascar.
We strongly recommend comb dining your kitesurf stay in North Madagascar with tours in the and around the region, to include Amber Mountains, the Ankarana Special Reserve, and the stunning islands around North West side surrounding Nosie Be. Planet Travel are specialising in Northern Madagascar, and all our Kitesurf Holidays to this incredible destination, will be tailored to you specific requirements.
Suggested tour in madagascar
Top hotels in madagascar
.png)
.png)
FAQ
There are many places in the world with reliable wind. There are many places with warm water. There are many places with beautiful scenery.
Very few destinations combine all of these elements while still offering genuine adventure. Madagascar is a destination for kitesurfers who want more than just another beach holiday. It is a place where you can ride empty lagoons all day, watch humpback whales offshore, explore remote islands, meet local fishing communities and experience one of the most unique countries on Earth.
For those willing to travel a little further, the reward is one of the world's last truly wild kitesurfing destinations.
