Kitesurfing at Palmar and Belle Mare: your guide to Mauritius' big east coast lagoon

Palmar and Belle Mare form a big, shallow lagoon protected by a reef about 800 metres offshore, with a southeast trade wind that blows side-on (at an angle toward the beach). The spot suits every level: it's perfect for beginners, very good for progressing in freeride or freestyle, and a classic starting point for downwinders heading north. The best season runs from May to November. Palmar has a reputation for holding the wind a little longer than other spots late in the season, so early November is still a good window. From December to March the wind drops and sometimes swings north: you can still kite, but much less often. This guide covers the riding area, the hazards, the gear and the schools.

1. Palmar and Belle Mare at a glance

Palmar and Belle Mare are two neighbouring beaches in the Flacq district on the east coast. Belle Mare is a long beach of about 8 km. Palmar lies further south, between Belle Mare and Trou d'Eau Douce. There are several coves lined with casuarinas, all opening onto the same lagoon. Kiters often say "Belle Mare" for the whole area. In practice, most schools and locals gather at the Palmar public beach.

Criteria	Palmar / Belle Mare
Location	East coast, Flacq district, between Poste Lafayette (north) and Trou d'Eau Douce (south)
Access from the airport	About 40 km, allow 50 min by road to Belle Mare
Wind direction	Southeast trade wind, side-on (at an angle toward the beach)
Water	Shallow lagoon, flat to slightly choppy water, reef about 800 m out
Level	All levels. Especially popular with intermediate and advanced riders because of the size of the riding area
Best season	May to November. Mid-March to May can also be good
Water temperature	About 23 °C in the austral winter, 28 °C and above in summer
Crowds	Low on weekdays, busier on weekends with Mauritian families

2. The riding area: what to expect on the lagoon

2.1 A wide, shallow lagoon

The spot's biggest asset is its size. The coral barrier is far from shore, which leaves a huge expanse of lagoon to ride without getting in each other's way. Inside, the water is calm and flat in the sheltered areas. The further you go from the beach, the more chop builds, especially when the trade wind goes above 20 knots. The stand-up areas reassure beginners: you can walk back to your board and start again with no stress. They also suit freestylers looking for flat water.

The flip side is the tide. At low tide, parts of the lagoon get very shallow, and you'll run into coral heads and rocky bottoms. Long fins and foil masts suffer. Before heading far from shore, check the time of low tide. Our article on tides in Mauritius explains how to read the tables and what they change from spot to spot.

2.2 Hazards: rocks, casuarinas and the reef

• Rocks along the shore. Rocks line the spot on the left and right for the first few hundred metres. Spot them before pumping up, especially at low tide. If you're a beginner, don't ride downwind of these areas.
• Side-on wind. From a safety standpoint, this is good news: if you break a line or the wind drops, you drift toward the beach, not out to sea. On the other hand, the wind also pushes you toward the shore. If you launch or land your kite too close to the casuarinas, sun loungers or swimmers, a mistake gets costly fast. Leave plenty of room downwind for launching and landing.
• The reef. Beyond the barrier is the open ocean, with swell and currents in the passes. Independent riders have no business out there without local knowledge or guidance.
• Swimmers and water activities. The lagoon is also used for snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking and jet-skiing, particularly in front of the hotels. Stay clear of the marked swimming areas. Local rules are covered in our article on the law and kitesurfing in Mauritius.

3. Wind and season: when to kite at Palmar

3.1 Trade wind season (May to October)

This is the east coast's main season. The southeast trade wind blows steadily and hits the beach at an angle. Local schools quote wind of around 15 to 25 knots, blowing at Beaufort force 4 or more about five days out of seven. On the east side, the trade wind doesn't cross any relief before reaching the water. It's generally cleaner and less gusty than at some west coast spots.

3.2 November: end of season, still rideable

Palmar has a reputation well known to locals: the spot holds the wind longer than others late in the season. Some trip organisers still send their clients there until after All Saints' Day. In November the trade wind is still around but becomes less consistent. There are days of steady wind and others that are lighter or thermal. Bring a big kite and keep a backup activity for no-wind days. For an overview of the end of the year across the whole island, see our article Kitesurfing in Mauritius in November and December.

3.3 December to March: the austral summer

During the hottest months, from December to March, the trade wind slows and sometimes swings north. It's also cyclone season. You can still kite at Palmar on some days, but the consistency is nothing like the austral winter. If your trip falls in this period, bet on light-wind gear (big kite, wide board, foil) and stay flexible on spots. Check our wind statistics before booking.

Period	Expected wind at Palmar	Our take
May to October	Steady southeast trade wind, often 15 to 25 knots	Peak season, near-daily sessions
November	Trade wind still present but more irregular	Good end-of-season window, bring a big kite
December to March	Lighter wind, sometimes northerly, cyclone risk	Unpredictable, light-wind gear or foil recommended
Mid-March to April	Trade wind gradually returns	Shoulder season, often pleasant and quiet on the beach

4. What gear to bring to Palmar

The sizes below are a guide for a 70 to 80 kg rider on a twintip. Adjust for your weight and level with our kite size calculator.

Situation	Indicative wind	Kite (70 to 80 kg)
Strong winter trade wind	22 to 28 knots	7 to 9 m²
Medium trade wind	16 to 22 knots	9 to 11 m²
End of season, light days	12 to 16 knots	12 to 14 m² or foil

• Board. A standard twintip is enough. If you're aiming at the light days of November or summer, a slightly bigger board or a foil greatly increases the number of rideable days.
• Fins and foil. Because of the shallows at low tide, go for short fins. On a foil, only go out with enough water under the mast.
• Reef booties. Strongly recommended for walking over coral bottoms and the rocky areas along the shore.
• Protection. A lycra is enough almost all year. A thin shorty can be useful in strong wind in July and August. Add mineral sunscreen and sunglasses suited to the water: the glare off the lagoon is intense.

5. Who is this spot for?

5.1 Beginners

The combo of a big lagoon, side-on wind and stand-up areas is exactly what you want for learning. There are fewer people than at Le Morne, which leaves more room for your first runs. The only downside: on strong wind days, the chop on the windward coast can tire out complete beginners. Schools then adjust their time slots, often to the morning.

5.2 Intermediates and freestylers

This is the crowd that gets the most out of Palmar. The riding area is big enough to work on transitions and controlled jumps without a neighbour too close. The flat zones near the shore are great for first tricks. When Belle Mare is too busy on the weekend, shifting over to Palmar is usually enough to find some space.

5.3 Advanced riders and downwinders

The real bonus for advanced riders is the downwinder to the north. With the southeast trade wind, you can run down the coast to Poste Lafayette. East Kite School also runs guided trips on this route. Plan for a car pickup or go through a school: doing this run alone without knowing the beach exits or the reef areas is a bad idea. For routes, required level and prices, see our guide to downwinding in Mauritius.

6. Schools, rentals and logistics

6.1 Schools on site

• East Kite School. A small independent outfit set up on Palmar beach, right next to C Mauritius. It's run by Martin, a former Mauritian kitesurfing champion, with IKO-certified instructors. It offers kite and wingfoil lessons, private or semi-private courses, rentals, downwinders to Poste Lafayette and free storage for independent riders.
• Kite Globing. This school has a base on the Palmar side, near the Veranda Palmar hotel, and another in the south. Check before you come which base is open on your dates.

Prices vary depending on the package (private or group lesson, multi-day deal) and the season. We don't publish unverified prices: ask for a quote directly or use our school comparison tool.

6.2 Access, parking and services

You reach Palmar by car via the east coast road. Allow about ten minutes from Belle Mare. There's parking near the public beach, often right by the rigging area. Services are limited at the spot itself: bring water and something to eat, or find the snack bars and restaurants a few minutes away by car. A local tip: on Saturday and especially Sunday, Mauritian families take over the beach. Arrive early or rig away from the picnics.

6.3 Where to stay

Several hotels sit directly on the lagoon, including C Mauritius at Palmar. It's handy if you want to rig from your room. On a tighter budget, the guesthouses and apartments in Belle Mare, Palmar and Trou d'Eau Douce keep you a few minutes from the spot.

6.4 The C Kite Festival

Palmar also hosts the island's main kite event. The 5th edition of the C Kite Festival took place from 26 to 28 June 2026 at C Mauritius Palmar, with Antoine Auriol. It drew around 600 people over the last weekend of June. The programme featured international riders such as Lorenzo Casati, 2025 Big Air world champion, and Clément Huot, plus the first night kite show in Mauritius. If you're aiming for the 2027 edition, keep an eye on our C Kite Festival tip.

7. Palmar, Belle Mare or Poste Lafayette?

The east coast spots look alike: big sandy bays, shallow lagoon, side-on wind. The differences come down mostly to vibe and exposure.

Spot	Strengths	Limits	Best for
Palmar	Big lagoon, local vibe, schools on the beach	Rocks along the shore, shallows at low tide	All levels, especially intermediates
Belle Mare	Very long beach, lots of space	Crowded on weekends, hotels and swimmers	Freeride, progression
Poste Lafayette	Wild coastline, wind often a bit stronger	Fewer services, more committing conditions	Independent intermediates and advanced riders

Still torn between the east, south and west? Our Which spot for me? tool points you in the right direction based on your level and dates.

8. FAQ

Is Palmar a good place to learn kitesurfing?

Yes. The lagoon is big and shallow, the wind is side-on and you can stand up over large areas: these are good conditions for starting out. Still, take lessons at a certified school. Wind that pushes you toward the beach demands real control of launching and landing.

Can you kite at Palmar in November?

Yes, especially early in the month. Palmar is known for holding the trade wind longer than other spots late in the season. The wind does get more irregular than in the middle of winter, though: bring a big kite (12 to 14 m² for 75 kg) or a foil.

Is the wind dangerous at Palmar?

Side-on wind brings you back to the beach, which is reassuring if something goes wrong. The real risks are elsewhere: the rocks at the ends of the spot, the coral shallows at low tide, the weekend crowds and the casuarinas close to the launch area.

Are there waves at Palmar?

Not in the lagoon, where you get flat to choppy water. The waves break on the reef, far from shore. You can only ride them with excellent knowledge of the spot and local guidance. For wave kiting, Le Morne remains the benchmark in Mauritius.

Can you leave your gear on site?

East Kite School offers free storage for independent riders. Check the conditions before you arrive. Avoid leaving gear in the sun on the beach: UV quickly damages the fabric and the bladders.

9. Conclusion

Palmar and Belle Mare offer the biggest playground on the east coast: shallow lagoon, side-on trade wind, far fewer people than at Le Morne and schools right on the beach. It's an excellent choice for learning or progressing between May and November. The spot also has a concrete advantage late in the season, when the trade wind starts fading elsewhere. Its limits are clear: shallows to watch depending on the tide, rocks at the ends, a busy beach on weekends and a much less reliable austral summer. If you're coming now, in November, bring a big kite, check the tides and aim for weekdays.