Lac Andriambe
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Lac Andriambe is a small, flat-water kitesurfing lagoon/lake near Sanjorana, where riders benefit from steady SE–S trade winds (SE, SSE, S). Conditions are described as flat-to-choppy with minimal currents, and the water is typically cloudy, giving the riding a practical but less scenic look. For kitesurfing, the spot is especially well-suited to freeride and freestyle during the main season, with the strongest wind generally arriving in the afternoon. Peak wind months are June through October, and reported typical wind speeds fall around 15–30 knots with light gusts, supporting consistent sessions. The local launch is described as narrow sandy banks bordered by vegetation, and wind can be slightly disturbed near banks with trees or small terrain. Safety is a key consideration because the lagoon is shallow in places and includes underwater hazards such as fishing nets and submerged wooden stakes, along with sandbars that can surprise foil users. There’s no lifeguard presence and no formal rescue service reported for the spot, so plan to be self-reliant and to coordinate with locals about fishing gear in the water. Weather is described as dry for much of the year, with a cyclonic/rainy window in December to February (though rainfall is relatively rare in this semi-arid setting). Temperatures are warm year-round—around 29–30°C for both air and water from about October to May—and cooler water of roughly 23–24°C in June to September, where a shorty or thin long-sleeve is reported as comfortable.
- Flat-water lake/lagoon conditions with minimal currents
- Reliable SE–S trade winds from June to October
- Beginner-friendly progression for freestyle and freeride
- Shallow areas require careful navigation around sandbars and submerged stakes/nets
- Flat-water/low-current conditions with calm lagoon-style riding
- Strong, seasonally reliable South-East trade winds from June to October
- Good setting for progression (freestyle/freeride) with beginner-friendly conditions
- Warm water temperatures much of the year
- Spot is small and can feel cramped near the launch
- Water is typically cloudy
- Shallow areas and underwater obstacles (nets/stakes/sandbars) require careful route choice
- Remote access; limited support/rescue
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, SSE, S
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Dominant South-East trade winds (Alizé), typically steady side-onshore for kitesurfing.
- Reliability
- High during the winter trade wind season
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand launch area
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Flat to chop conditions
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Flat, chop reported
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy banks with vegetation/brush nearby
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; may see a handful of riders during peak trade wind months
December to February (cyclonic period, very rare rains)
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat-water lake/lagoon conditions are suitable for freeride and freestyle, with steady SE–S trade winds during the peak season. Water can be cloudy and the area is small, but conditions are generally calm with minimal currents.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–10 m²
Suitable for freeride and foiling, but the launch area can be cramped for larger rigs.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Possible in deeper sections, but foil users must be cautious of very shallow sandbars and underwater obstacles.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Deeper channels exist, but underwater hazards and variable depth require local/tidal awareness.
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Lac Andriambe in the full forecast view.
Lac Andriambe wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 31 kts
- Direction
- E90°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2616 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–2.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 20–32 °C
Over the next 7 days, Lac Andriambe is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 31 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 1.2–2.4 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Fishing nets
- Submerged wooden stakes
- Shallow water
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No organized rescue service reported for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- The nearest medical facilities are located in Fort Dauphin (Tolanaro).
Rules of the spot
Be respectful of local fisherman and their equipment.
- The wind is strongest in the afternoon.
- Check with locals about the presence of any seasonal fishing gear in the water.
- A 4x4 vehicle is recommended for accessing the best launch points.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fort Dauphin
- Nearest Town
- Sanjorana
- Nearest Airport
- Tôlanaro Airport (FTU)
- Parking
- Informal parking on the sand or grass near the launch area
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily via private 4x4 transfers or local 'taxi-brousse' (bush taxis) serving the Manambaro area from Fort Dauphin.
- Access
- Accessible via unpaved tracks from Fort Dauphin; 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is often necessary
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Malagasy, French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various lodges and hotels are available in Fort Dauphin.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options locally; it is best to bring supplies from Fort Dauphin.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some gear may be available from mobile kite operators in Fort Dauphin.
- Gear Storage
- Not available at the spot.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs might be available through local kite guides in town.
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 Lac Andriambe?
The best overall months at Lac Andriambe are June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Lac Andriambe?
Lac Andriambe works with SE, SSE, S winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Lac Andriambe?
Recommended equipment sizes at Lac Andriambe: Kitesurfing: 7–10 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Lac Andriambe suitable for?
Lac Andriambe suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.