Cocoa (Tartane)

Cocoa (Tartane) is a well-known exposed reef break in the Tartane area (near La Trinité) on Martinique’s north coast. Surf conditions are described as reliable, with an A-frame shape and a strong right-hand bias (rights generally working better than lefts). The spot is primarily a surfing venue, and it’s characterized by sharp reef hazards. Seasonally, the most consistent surfing is described around December through March, with additional notes that October can stand out for cleaner conditions. Guidance across sources emphasizes that the December–March window coincides with better overall weather and more dependable swell/surf patterns for this exposed reef. Swell direction is most often given as North to Northeast, with NE-N called out as an optimal range for reef work. The surfing wave is typically reported as having good to moderate quality depending on conditions, with peeling sections (often a long, mellow wall when the swell is larger). Ride lengths are described as medium to long, with an estimate of about 100–150 meters when conditions cooperate. On stronger North Atlantic winter swells, the break can become heavy and challenging. Safety is a key consideration: the reef includes sea urchins and sharp rocks/coral. Booties are described as almost mandatory unless you’re extremely careful where you step, and the paddle out can be a workout due to the distance to the reef. Lifeguards/rescue coverage is reported as none/no rescue for the spot, so plan accordingly and follow local line-up etiquette.