Ilet Long (Martinique)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Ilet Long is a boat-access-only lagoon spot off Le François, known for shallow, flat, crystal-clear water over sandy areas. The small launch area and the presence of nearby reef/coral hazards mean riders need appropriate skill and careful navigation through the shallower sections. Wind is dominated by East to Northeast trade winds, with typical strengths around 15–25 knots during the best months. Multiple sources highlight a strong season from December through June, with the most reliable sessions generally occurring during trade-wind months; spot-level best months also include January through July plus November and December. For kitesurfing, the conditions are primarily flat-water suited to freestyle and freeride, with some references to foil and strapless riding. Reported wind direction (NE/ENE/E) matches the trade-wind pattern, and the lagoon setting is described as protected—so long as you stay within the lagoon/channel areas and avoid the busiest shallow zones. Safety-wise, the main concerns are reef/coral heads (including sea urchins), shallow navigation limits, and shared-water hazards like swimmers and anchored/tourist boats. Riders are advised to keep distance from swimmers/boats and to be cautious about nearby crowded shallow areas; rescue is described as limited and there are no lifeguards on-site.
- Shallow, flat, crystal-clear lagoon water
- Strong trade-wind season for kitesurfing (December to June)
- Foil-friendly within channels (minimum depth guidance provided)
- Shallow, very flat, crystal-clear lagoon water.
- Good trade-wind kitesurfing season from December into June.
- Protected lagoon setting helps keep conditions manageable when staying within the lagoon.
- Boat access only (small, island launch logistics).
- Shallow areas with reef/coral hazards (and sea urchins).
- Tourist boat traffic and swimmers in/near shallower crowded zones.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (Alizés) predominantly from the East or Northeast.
- Reliability
- high during dry season / trade-wind season
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally steady in trade-wind season.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Minimal due to the low-lying nature of the islets (lagoon/island setting).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand/sandbank setting.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Wave size reported as flat; conditions described as flat-water.
- Launch
- Small — Small launch beach/sandbank; boat access only.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to small beach and boat access.
Through the year
Highest from December to April; can be busy with tourists on weekends.
July to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow, crystal-clear lagoon conditions with sandy launch areas and reef/coral hazards nearby. Boat access only; riders typically use the protected lagoon for freeride and freestyle, with some foiling/strapless mentioned by providers.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible in the lagoon, but very shallow areas near sandbanks can restrict deep fins.
- Sail Sizes
- 6–7.5 m²
The lagoon provides room to foil, but you must navigate carefully around shallow reef patches and sandbanks near the islet.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly within channels.
- Min Depth
- 1.0 meter in the channels
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ilet Long (Martinique) in the full forecast view.
Ilet Long (Martinique) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- E90°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.6 m7s period
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ilet Long (Martinique) 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
- reef
- Sea urchins
- Shallow coral heads
- Tourist boat traffic
- Swimmers
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited (and no spot-specific rescue point).
- Emergency Info
- Group guidance indicates maritime emergencies are handled by CROSS AG; French emergency numbers also apply (112, 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism noted as none.
Rules of the spot
Boat access only. Avoid riding through the Baignoire de Joséphine when crowded with tourists; maintain distance from swimmers and anchored boats. Stay aware of nearby reef/coral heads.
- Boat access only
- Boat access only; get to Le François first, then take a boat to Ilet Long.
- Watch for reef while navigating around the islet/shallows.
- Be extra careful around swimmers and anchored/nearby tourist boats.
- The area can get very crowded nearby with tourist boats—prefer calmer positioning within the lagoon when congested.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Le François
- Nearest Town
- Le François
- Parking
- Parking available at Port de Plaisance (marina) in Le François.
- Access
- Access by boat only from Le François coast.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and hotels available in Le François; no accommodation on the islet.
- Food & Drink
- None on the islet; restaurants/bakeries in Le François town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through schools in the Le François marina.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage available at some local schools in town.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs available through local schools in Le François.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ilet Long (Martinique)?
The best overall months at Ilet Long (Martinique) are December, January, February, March, April, May, June. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ilet Long (Martinique)?
Ilet Long (Martinique) works with NE, ENE, E winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ilet Long (Martinique)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ilet Long (Martinique): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 6–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Ilet Long (Martinique) suitable for?
Ilet Long (Martinique) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.