Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre)
- Freeride, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) is a lagoon-and-reef surfing spot accessed from the Caravelle Beach/resort area. It is described as a left-hand reef break in the lagoon, influenced by south to east-southeast swells, and it generally favors higher tide for the best ride window. One source also characterizes the local wave profile as very long and mellow, making it approachable for learning on longboard-style lines. For wind, the area is governed primarily by the Alizés trade winds (East to East-Northeast). Reported typical wind speeds are around 12–25 knots, with steady conditions and a fairly consistent pattern during winter and spring. One regional note also highlights a reinforced afternoon window, though the trade-wind flow is described as able to blow broadly throughout the day. Conditions for the water and hazards are a key point of discrepancy: one provider reports poor water quality and emphasizes reef impacts, while another describes crystal-clear lagoon water. Regardless, all sources that mention safety converge on reef/coral heads and the presence of swimmers during busy periods. At low tide, shallow reef patates can be exposed, so timing and cautious entry are important. Access is straightforward (resort/hotel-area or a nearby pedestrian path), but parking and crowding can become problematic later in the morning; arriving early is repeatedly recommended. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited to none, so surf and water-sport sessions should be planned with careful self-sufficiency and attention to marked swimming zones.
- High tide favored surfing option inside the lagoon/reef zone
- Trade-wind driven conditions from December into spring
- Long, mellow wave descriptions suitable for learning/longboarding
- Nearby lagoon areas referenced for freeride and foiling
- Trade-wind powered conditions in the dry season
- A high-tide-favored reef/lagoon setup with a consistent left-hand surfing option
- Warm water year-round and generally easy access/launch logistics
- Foiling and freeride options referenced in the lagoon area
- Reef hazards, including shallow coral heads (reef patates) at low tide
- Poor water quality reported by one source (contradicted by another source)
- Crowding risk during peak holiday periods and swimmers in the water
- No/limited rescue coverage indicated
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNW
- Offshore directions
- NNW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (Alizés) are the main driver.
- Reliability
- fairly consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady/consistent.
- Best Months
- December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Some shoreline protection from palm trees and resort structures can create a light-wind zone right at the beach.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef/reef patates affecting the break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — One source describes medium waves; another frames the surf as small/very mellow depending on setup.
- Launch
- Medium — Launch from/near resort beach or lagoon edge; paddle out to the right side of the breakwater to reach the surf spot.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy access/launch.
Through the year
Peak crowds during French school holidays (December, February, and July–August).
Hurricane season runs from June to November, with higher rainfall and potential for large cyclonic swells.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Nearby lagoon area is used for freeriding and wingfoiling; launching can be technically restricted on the main resort beach during peak hours.
- Kite Sizes
- 10–14 m²
Beginners can use the protected lagoon; more dedicated windsurf activity may happen further down the coast.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Lagoon offers crystal-clear, shallow water suitable for foiling; riders must be mindful of reef depth near the surf break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions in the lagoon are indicated.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m in the lagoon
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Left-hand reef break in the lagoon, influenced by south and east-southeast swells; works best at high tide. Another description also frames it as a long, mellow, beginner-friendly wave (with average wave quality).
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- S, ESE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — High tide is consistently indicated as best.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Lagoon reef environment offers partial shelter; one source also characterizes the nearby break zone as exposed depending on setup.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from north-northwest, which groom the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out if swell is too large or too far west, but holds well on moderate southern swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Quality described as good by one source and average by another.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, with a left-hand reef break description.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also described as peeling at medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Ride-length not consistently specified for this exact left-reef description across sources.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Long, mellow sections are described (ideal for longboard practice); one source quantifies typical ride length as roughly 50–100 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) in the full forecast view.
Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE106°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.6–1.1 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- reef
- poor water quality
- reef patates (shallow coral heads) at low tide
- sea urchins
- crowded peak season with swimmers in the water
- buoy lines
- swimmers in the lagoon
- breakwater/reef obstacles near the takeoff line
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — Lifeguards are not consistently indicated; one source notes lifeguards as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability reported as none; regional context indicates rescue is limited for offshore incidents.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Sainte-Anne town center. For emergencies dial 112 or 15 (SAMU).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No notable localism indicated for this spot.
Rules of the spot
Access is managed via the hotel beach area/property; respect designated swimming zones and resort boundaries when present.
- Surfing restricted in designated swimming zones (where marked).
- Kite launching restricted on the main resort beach during day hours.
- Enter over the lagoon and contour the reef, then paddle out to the right side of the breakwater to reach the surf spot.
- Avoid low tide shallow reef patates.
- Arrive very early to find parking and avoid peak heat and crowds.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sainte-Anne
- Nearest Town
- Sainte-Anne
- Nearest Airport
- Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet International Airport (PTP)
- Parking
- Available at Caravelle Beach, but limited/public parking can fill very early; one source notes a short walk from the car/parking area.
- Public Transport
- Karu'lis bus network serves Sainte-Anne; other connections may require changes.
- Access
- Access via Sainte-Anne; enter by finding a spot on the Caravelle Beach hotel property (or via a public pedestrian path skirting the edge of the resort), then paddle out to the right side of the breakwater to reach the surf spot.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Caravelle Beach hotel/Club Med is located directly on the spot, with additional Sainte-Anne accommodations nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Nearby hotels and beach restaurants; beachfront snack bars (lolos) are mentioned.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and SUP boards can often be rented; also described as available via local clubs/small shops near access.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is not available for public use per one source; regional context indicates storage facilities can be available via schools/clubs for a daily or weekly fee.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs may be available in local surf shops; broader repair may require travel to larger nautical shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Sainte-Anne combines postcard beaches with active tourist infrastructure, making it a practical base for sessions followed by local market and dining stops.
World-famous white sand beach lined with coconut palms and calm turquoise waters.
Local market center featuring Guadeloupean crafts, textiles, and souvenirs.
Daily market selling local spices, exotic fruits, and traditional punches.
Nearby beach break popular for beginner to intermediate surfing lessons.
Popular local eatery known for traditional creole cuisine and fresh seafood.
Leisure park with gardens, animals, and water activities for children.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre)?
The best overall months at Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) are December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre)?
Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) works with NNW winds. Offshore directions are NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre): Kitesurfing: 10–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) suitable for?
Caravelle (Sainte-Anne, Grande Terre) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.