Martinique — Salines (Sainte-Anne)15h · 10 kt
0NOT RECOMMENDEDPick your slot
Min. level
Beginner
Optimal wind
14-32 kts
Season
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, December
Live · now
What to check
Discover the spot
The spot
Discover Salines (Sainte-Anne)
The far south of Martinique is the postcard: Les Salines with its white sand, coconut palms, turquoise water. But the kiting happens a notch over, at Cap Chevalier — Anse Michel. A lagoon flat as a table, held in by the coral reef, swept by the trade wind coming straight off the east. You can stand far out, the water is warm and clear, and the southern point catches wind when the rest of the island fades. The spot where you lay down your first reaches stress-free, against the island's finest backdrop.
All the character of the spot comes down to a contrast: the most postcard backdrop on the island, and water of rare gentleness. On one side Les Salines — white sand, leaning palms, the turquoise water of the brochures. On the other, a stone's throw away, the Anse Michel lagoon spreading behind its coral reef: a milky blue, clear shallows where the seagrass paints dark patches, and that warm water where you can stand far past the shore. The reef does all the work — it breaks the Atlantic swell and lets only the wind through. The result is a flat, luminous playground where the trade wind holds you all day without ever bullying you. It's the south of Martinique at its most laid-back: no showing off, none of the crowd of the big spots, just the urge to lay down reaches in water that looks like a giant pool, reef on one side and peninsula on the other.
Who & when
Level and best time
Who it's for
One of the most reassuring spots on the island. The Anse Michel lagoon is shallow, the seagrass is clear, you can stand far out, and a marked channel lets you walk a few metres with the kite overhead before heading out: a dream learning ground. As long as you stay inside the lagoon it's flat and contained. Cross behind the coral reef and the waves build fast — that side is for confirmed riders. For pure wave, it's Anse Trabaud, open to the ocean, experts only.
source : traveller-kites.com ↗Best time
The season is the carême: from mid-December to June the east/north-east trade wind settles in, steady and reliable, stronger and safer at peak. Wind often picks up in the afternoon and toward the weekend. By contrast, September–October is light and falls in the hurricane season — the window to avoid. Tide barely matters here: you ride pretty much whenever the wind is on.
source : serenitrip.fr ↗On site
Arrival guide
Access & parking
Aim for Cap Chevalier (commune of Sainte-Anne, Le Marin area), not the big Salines beach, which is first and foremost a swimming beach. From the Anse Michel car park, plan on a short walk of about 400 m with your gear to the launch zone. The spot is wild, with no heavy facilities: bring water and shade. Get in via the channel, away from swimmers and moored boats.
source : traveller-kites.com ↗Club & schools
The long-standing school here is Alizé Fun, based at Anse Michel since 1988: lessons and rentals for kite, wingfoil, windsurf and paddle year-round, all levels. It's the go-to for a local briefing, gear, and knowing where to launch on the day. A few beach eateries nearby; for a real choice of bars and tables, head to Les Salines or Sainte-Anne town, both close by.
source : alizefunkitemartinique.com ↗Before you go
Safety
Coral reef & shallows
The real trap here is the coral reef that closes the lagoon. As long as you stay on the beach side, the water is flat and sheltered; but behind the reef the Atlantic swell takes over and builds waves fast. Coral and shallows cut: stay in the lagoon, spot the pass before venturing out, and only cross the reef if you've got the level to handle the wave and the upwind back. If in doubt, ask Alizé Fun for the line before you go.
source : traveller-kites.com ↗Swimmers & hurricane season
The whole south is very busy in summer: Les Salines, Pointe Marin and Anse Michel are family swimming beaches. Never launch among beachgoers, keep clear of bathing zones and moored boats, pass wide of swimmers. Season-wise, September–October pairs light wind with hurricane season (unstable conditions, heavy seas): not the window to plan a session here. Outside that period, still watch the forecasts — a squall can come up fast in the tropics.
source : serenitrip.fr ↗Community
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