Owing to its large clear-water lagoons, Windsurfing is possible nearly all around Mauritius, except in the South, although in many places, the lagoons may be a bit too shallow during low tides.

Windsurfing schools and rentals
With the phenomenal kitesurfing fever, there are today more kitesurfing than windsurfing schools and rentals in Mauritius. Although most hotels adequately located propose windsurf equipment for free usage to guests, the quality of equipment would not fit a windsurfer's requirements. Only Club Mistral centre, located in Le Morne, has far more windsurfs for rent than kites. The centre has coaches and rescue boats and are perfectly located just opposite the wave-riding spots of Le Morne.

Free windsurfing in Mauritius
Le Morne is certainly THE Windsurfing spot of Mauritius; not only for its waves but for the regularity of the wind. Mauritius however counts several other publicly accessible windsurfing spots, at least one on the North coast, (Anse La Raie,) and several others along the East coast.

Confirmed windsurfer can ride in Mauritius pretty easily but we strongly recommend taking advice with as many local riders as possible before getting wet as many places have their peculiarities that can become hazards to the uninformed riders. For a detailed overview of the different windsurfing spots of Mauritius, we invite you to view our map of spots, although detailed for kitesurfing.

Wind and climate conditions
Windsurfing conditions in Mauritius are more certain during the austral winter months of June to November. Put very broadly, kitesurfing conditions are as follows.

During austral winter (from June to November,) Mauritius is under the influence of the South-East Trade winds, generated by a path of anti-cyclonic cells off the Antarctic belt, moving from West to Right. Owing to its position on the edge of this path, the wind in Mauritius experiences wind cycles of 7 days. As the cold front reaches, the wind picks up from the South / South-East (gusty) for about 1 day, the wind then intensifies to reach between 20 and 25 knots in a South-Easterly direction for about 3 days. It then turns East in a slight moderation (16 to 18 knots,) for another 2 days. There is approx 1 windless day in between 2 anti-cyclones.

Around the summer solstice (December and January,) a similar pattern can be observed with the direction varying from East to North East and a wind force range 10 to 15 knots instead.

Choosing a region
The pure wave riders will stick to Le Morne... Of Course! For free riders, Le Morne remains a sure bet between June and November as the acceleration from the landscape gives almost a guarantee of wind, at least as from 11.00 am. Le Morne is windless between February and May.

The North (North-East) is "windsurfable" for a longer part of the year (June to January.) Anse La Raie is a good spot to launch for a ride in the lagoon of Calodyne.

The East & South-East coasts count some excellent spots during winter only (June to September.)

Update January 2013