Anse l'Etang (Tartane)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Small waves, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Anse l'Etang (Tartane) is a small sand beach on Martinique’s Caravelle peninsula, positioned just east of Tartane. Conditions are described as clean to crystal-clear, with a sand bottom and small-to-medium waves. For surfing, waves typically break as a beach-break and often peel across the sandy bottom. Wind at the spot is dominated by east to north-east trade winds (NE focus), with a typical range around 15–25 knots and high reliability during winter and spring. Several months are highlighted for wind performance, with the strongest overall period described as the dry trade-wind season from December into spring. For kitesurfing, the spot is versatile and leans toward wave riding. However, kitesurfing can be tricky because the beach launch area is restricted by trees and beachgoers; riders are advised to be careful with launch technique and to manage where you ride relative to swimmers and surfers. Limited rescue availability and a seasonal lifeguard presence mean you should plan conservatively. Surfing is consistently presented as one of the main draws here, with peeling, moderate-power waves and rideable lefts and rights. Conditions can shift with wind and swell: east winds can be side-onshore for surf comfort, and major north swells can make shore break heavier and the session more demanding. Parking and beach space can tighten during peak tourist weeks and weekend days, so arriving early is strongly advised.
- Reliable NE trade winds in the main season
- Peeling beach-break waves for surfing
- Crystal-clear/clean water and sandy bottom
- Family-friendly character is mentioned in safety/notes for surfing days
- Trade-wind pattern with reliable NE winds during the main season.
- Clean/crystal-clear water is described; sand bottom and quick deepening for leaving the immediate shore break area.
- Consistent surfing/wave-riding options with peeling beach-break waves.
- Narrow launch space for kitesurfing (trees and beachgoers can restrict access).
- Can get very crowded on weekends and during the tourist peak season.
- Shore break can be moderate and rocks at the edges add hazard during busy conditions.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE
- Offshore directions
- NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Alizés trade winds (east to north-east).
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Provider descriptions vary: one notes moderate gusts; another describes steady trade-wind flow.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Small waves, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sand is described.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Water described as flat with medium-wave activity; also described as small-waves by one provider.
- Launch
- Medium — Easy self-launch is described, but another source notes the launch is somewhat restricted by trees and beachgoers.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch is easy/self-launch in one description; another describes overall launch difficulty as moderate due to limited space and shore break.
Through the year
High in December–April (peak tourist season); low May–November except weekends; peak crowds during French school holidays and winter weekends.
May to November, with highest hurricane risk August to September.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Versatile kitesurfing spot that leans toward wave riding. The launch corridor can be narrow due to trees and beachgoers, so it rewards riders comfortable managing a restricted setup and side-onshore trade-wind conditions.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible but less common; the wave-oriented conditions favor wave gear.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–6.5 m²
Suitable for wingfoiling, especially for riding the swell; launch through the shore break requires caution.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Safe depth is reached quickly once past the immediate shore break.
- Min Depth
- Safe depth is reached quickly once past the immediate shore break.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Sheltered creek/bay setup with animated, rideable waves; generally favors wave-riding with peeling lines across the sandy bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides
- Shelter
- Sheltered — A sheltered creek/bay setup is described by one provider; another describes exposure for surfing—wind/swell can vary by conditions.
- Wind Effect
- East winds can be side-onshore; north swells with lighter winds tend to produce the cleanest conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- On major North swells it can become more powerful and challenging, with heavier shore breaks.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Ride length is described as medium.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves provide a decent ride length on both lefts and rights, often peeling nicely across the sandy bottom.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anse l'Etang (Tartane) in the full forecast view.
Anse l'Etang (Tartane) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- E97°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 26–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anse l'Etang (Tartane) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.1–1.6 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- shore break
- rocks at the edges
- crowded with swimmers and surfers
- limited kite-launch space with trees and beachgoers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in La Trinité. For emergencies, call 112; for medical emergencies, call 15.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Priority should be given to swimmers and surfers; for kitesurfing, consider riding further out to avoid the busiest crowded zones.
- Limited beach space for kiting; beachgoers and trees restrict clean launch corridors.
- Arrive early to secure parking and beach space, especially on busy days.
- Kite launching is tricky due to narrow space and nearby trees—use care and consider placing sessions further out from the crowded areas.
- The far right of the beach (looking at the sea) can be rockier.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Trinité
- Nearest Town
- Tartane
- Parking
- Parking is available near/adjacent to the beach, but can be congested on weekends; arrive early or visit weekdays.
- Access
- Just east of Tartane (Caravelle peninsula). Follow signs for the beach from the main road.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels, apartments, and residences in Tartane and the surrounding Caravelle area.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and snack bars located nearby and in Tartane.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and bodyboards are commonly available for rent via local schools; kite gear rental is less common.
- Gear Storage
- Storage is mostly limited; what schools provide for students or what accommodations offer.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard repairs available via local surf shops; specialized kite/wing bladder repairs may require traveling to larger hubs.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Caravelle peninsula setting combines coastal outdoor activities with nearby nature and historic sites.
Protected natural area with landscapes ranging from dry forests to mangroves.
Scenic hiking trail leading to the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula.
Local eateries serving fresh fish and traditional Creole cuisine.
A family-friendly beach with shaded areas and calm water zones suitable for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anse l'Etang (Tartane)?
The best overall months at Anse l'Etang (Tartane) are December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November.
Which wind directions work at Anse l'Etang (Tartane)?
Anse l'Etang (Tartane) works with NE winds. Offshore directions are NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Anse l'Etang (Tartane)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Anse l'Etang (Tartane): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Anse l'Etang (Tartane) suitable for?
Anse l'Etang (Tartane) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.