Le Diamant

KitesurfingWindsurfingWingfoilingSurfing
Freeride, Shortboard
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Chop, Ocean, Flat
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Le Diamant is a long sandy beach in southern Martinique that benefits from steady East-to-North-East trade winds. Wind conditions are repeatedly described as reliable during the dry season, with typical speeds around the mid-teens up to the mid‑20s knots, making it a strong destination for riders who can manage a challenging shore break and chop. Kitesurfing is described as best for intermediate riders and above due to the combination of side-onshore trade winds and an uncomfortable shore-break/landing zone. The spot is repeatedly characterized as tolerated rather than an officially designated kitesurfing zone, and some access rules/fees may apply. Although the beach provides practical access from the town (walk-through and left-side entrances are commonly mentioned), safety emphasis is high: rogue-wave risk (including strong current/undertow behavior) is highlighted even when the surface looks calm. Surfing is a beach-break that can produce short, punchy rides and can favor the right swell direction (southeast/east). However, the strong trade winds are often blamed for creating chop and blowing out cleaner surf shape. Additional surf-specific notes include relatively few surfers even on good days, plus guidance to keep clear of designated swimming zones and to expect a punchy, sometimes messy paddle-out on bigger sets. Overall, the area combines simple beach access and basic amenities with a need for disciplined safety planning: choose calmer entry points when available, be mindful of the shore break timing, watch for swimmers near town areas, and consider seabed/shallow-water hazards such as sea urchins.

  • Reliable East-to-North-East trade winds (Alizés) during the dry season
  • Long sandy beach with multiple access points and parking in town
  • Short-punchy beach-break surfing when swell direction aligns
  • Urban setting with food/toilets nearby
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveKitesurfing foilWindsurfing freerideWindsurfing waveWingfoil freerideSurfing shortboard
What's great
  • Consistent East-to-North-East trade winds
  • Sandy beach with parking and on-site food/toilets
  • Long beach allows varied access points
  • Good conditions for intermediate kitesurfing and wingfoiling once past shore break
Heads up
  • Serious rogue-wave/undertow hazard for water users
  • Shore break can be challenging (especially for less experienced riders)
  • Kitesurfing is not clearly an official/managed zone (tolerated access noted)
  • Urban beach environment with trees near launch and swimmers in/near designated areas
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
NE, ENE, E
Wind Range
15–25 kts
Wind Type
Trade — East to North-East trade winds (Alizés).
Reliability
high
Gust Factor
Steady
Best Months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, November, December
Recommended Kite Sizes
9–12 m²

Water & beach

Water Type
Chop, Ocean, Flat
Beach
Sand
Beach Size
Medium
Waves
Medium — Surf described as medium; kitesurfing includes chop and sometimes small waves.
Chop Level
Moderate chop — Chop is part of the kitesurfing/water description; winds can create significant chop and ruin surf shape.
Launch
Medium — Long sandy beach that can be narrow in some sections with trees behind the beach.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
26–30 °C
Water Temperature
24–31 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: Lycra/rash guard (sun protection)a 2mm shorty may be used on cooler/windier winter days
Crowds by Season

Peak season is December to April; the beach is long enough to rarely feel crowded.

Storm/Rain Season

July to November

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Long sandy beach with side-onshore trade winds. Shore break can be challenging, so suitability skews intermediate and above; conditions include a mix of chop and small waves.

FreerideWaveFoil
Kite Sizes
9–12 m²
WindsurfingSkill Level

Freeride and bump-and-jump style conditions when trade winds are blowing; shore break requires some agility during launch.

FreerideWave
Sail Sizes
5.5–7.5 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Good for wingfoiling once past the shore break; water deepens quickly which is favorable for foils.

Foil Friendly
Yes — Minimum depth given in enrichment.
Min Depth
1.5 meters
Wing Sizes
4–6 m²
SurfingSkill Level

Beach break that can produce short, punchy rides; sensitive to swell direction and can be blown out by strong trade winds.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
S, E
Swell Height
0.5–1.5 m
Optimal Tide
Mid — Optimal tide indicated as mid.
Shelter
Exposed
Wind Effect
Strong trade winds often create significant chop and can ruin surf shape.
Bigger Swell
Can become messy and difficult to paddle out with significant shore break; rogue waves/underlying hazard is emphasized in safety notes.
Wave Quality
Average — Surf guide data rates the spot around 3/5; other enrichment describes average quality.
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Mushy
Peel Speed
Medium
Ride Length
Short
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Le Diamant in the full forecast view.

Le Diamant wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
7–13 ktsGusts 26 kts
Direction
E90°
Strongest day
Sun, Oct 2513 kts
Windy days
1/712 kts or more
Waves
0.4–0.8 m5s period
Temperature
27–31 °C

Over the next 7 days, Le Diamant is forecast for daytime winds of 7–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is E. Waves run 0.4–0.8 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Rogue waves / strong undercurrent risk (lame de fond) even when waves look calm
  • Strong shore break
  • Strong undertow and side currents
  • Sea urchins in shallow water
  • Trees/palms close to launch area
  • Swimmers near the town / in designated swimming areas
Recommended Safety Gear
Impact vestHelmet

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
Seasonal — No rescue availability reported at the spot level; regional/group context indicates limited/seasonal lifeguards.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
Limited — No dedicated on-the-spot rescue explicitly reported in the provided enrichment; regional maritime rescue availability is described as limited.

Rules of the spot

No official kitesurfing zone; spot appears tolerated/secondary and access rules may apply. For surfing, avoid designated swimming zones (especially near town-centered swimmers/pontoons).

Restrictions
  • Access may require an access fee (reported for the area/spot).
  • Kitesurfing is tolerated but not an official spot/zone.
Local Tips
  • Traverse the town of Le Diamant and use left-side beach entrances a few hundred meters in (urban access approach).
  • Check the ends of the beach for slightly calmer entry points (shore break is often strongest in the middle).
  • Be cautious of sea urchins in shallow water and palm trees in take-off zones.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Fort-de-France (~20-25 km north)
Nearest Town
Le Diamant
Nearest Airport
Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF) (~25 km)
Parking
Parking available at/around Le Diamant; also various parking lots and roadside spaces along the beach stretch.
Public Transport
SudLib buses (limited public transport); car rental recommended for flexibility.
Access
From Fort-de-France, drive south and follow signs to Le Diamant.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Toilets
Showers
Restaurant
Bar
Picnic area
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous hotels and vacation rentals are available in Le Diamant.
Food & Drink
Restaurants and snack options along the street near the beach; also restaurants on-site and beach bars reported.
Equipment Rental:
Rental availability reported via local schools; some enrichment notes limited rental on the beach itself and gear often sourced from nearby areas.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

A laid-back coastal town setting with strong wind/surf culture and visible regional landmarks from the beach.

Best time to visit: Dry season with the most consistent trade winds typically in December to April (often extending into June for reliability).
Rocher du Diamant (Diamond Rock)Visible from most of the coast; about 2 km offshore reported.

Iconic volcanic/basalt islet landmark visible from most of the town/coastline.

Grande Anse du DiamantIn Le Diamant

3 km long sandy beach described with sea grapes and palms.

Mémorial de l'Anse Cafard (Cap 110)West of Le Diamant / 0 km at the western end of the bay reported.

Memorial to slavery at Anse Cafard (Cap 110) with reported monument of 15 statues commemorating a slave ship shipwreck.

Église Saint-Thomas & Maison du bagnardIn Le Diamant town

Saint-Thomas Church and Maison de Médard Aribot (Maison du bagnard).

Musée du diamant & Musée des coquillagesIn Le Diamant

Marine museum and shell museum.

Morne Larcher HikeNear Le Diamant (~1 km reported)

Hike up Le Morne Larcher ('Sleeping Woman') mountain for panoramic views of the coast.

Local beachfront restaurantsIn Le Diamant

Local eateries and bars near the beach road and town center.

Grande Anse beach walkAt Le Diamant

Walk the long Grande Anse beach lined with coconut palms.

Le Diamant Market0.5 km

Local market selling tropical fruits, spices, and artisanal crafts.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Le Diamant?

The best overall months at Le Diamant 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 Le Diamant?

Le Diamant works with NE, ENE, E winds.

What equipment sizes are recommended at Le Diamant?

Recommended equipment sizes at Le Diamant: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.

What skill level is Le Diamant suitable for?

Le Diamant suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.