Anse La Raie (Mauritius)
- Overview
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Getting There
- Where to Stay
- Food & Nightlife
- Activities
- Photos
- Reviews
Anse La Raie Overview
Anse La Raie lies at the northern tip of Mauritius, a forty minute drive north of the capital Port Louis. It is located only 6kms from the shopping and nightlife of Grand Baie, which also has many bars and restaurants. The countryside in the north is a mix of sugar cane plantations, with the interior hills leading to traditional villages built along the coastline.
The Sailing in Anse La Raie
Anse La Raie offers a quieter alternative to Le Morne with less windsurfers and kiters on the water, as well as a great deal of space. It is situated on the edge of a lagoon even bigger than that of Le Morne. The outer reef is located 2.5kms from the launch areas, and extends 20km in a south easterly direction. The lagoon is deeper than that of Le Morne, and deep enough for windsurfers and kite foilers to sail at all states of the tide, making this area the very best for long downwinders and long distance cruising.
The wind blows here from the right in a side shore direction. The outer reef protects the lagoon from the big ocean swells, providing relatively flat water with small chop on the inside. The water is up to 4m deep, so not shallow, except at the launching areas. There is also little current which adds to the safety of the area.
The mornings typically provide flat water conditions for beginners, before the wind increases midday for intermediate to advanced.
The southeast tradewinds blow most consistently between the months of April to October, at an average strength of 15 to 30 knots – force 4 to 6 beaufort. This is actually the winter season, where the air temperature is between 20 and 26 degrees centigrade, and the water between 23 and 26 degrees.
Ans La Raie also has a greater variety of amenities than Le Morne, with shopping markets, bars and restaurants all located within easy reach.
Best Suited To
Anse La Raie provides ideal conditions for all levels and disciplines except for wave sailing. Although the waves can be ridden where the ocean swells break on the outer reef, Le Morne in the south of Mauritius offers better options for those searching for great surf.
However, there are more shopping opportunities nearby than Le Morne, and there is the bars and nightlife only 6kms away in Grande Baie.
Hazards
There are a few rocks to avoid in the shallows when launching from the kite centre, but apart from that, the area is very safe.
Pros
- Flat water lagoon deep enough at all tides to sail
- Lots of space to cruise big distances
- No strong currents
- Blue Water
- Consistent trade winds
- Well stocked kitesurf and windsurf hire and teaching centres
- Rescue services
- Close proximity of hotels
- 6kms away from the busy shopping and nightlife of Grand Baie
Cons
- Very expensive rescue services if not hiring equipment locally
- Not very suitable for wave riding
- Some rocks to avoid
- Limited areas to launch
Anse La Raie Windsurfing
The windsurfing launch area is in front of the ION Club windsurfing centre, located at the grounds of the Sensimar Lagoon hotel. The water in front of the windsurfing centre is deep enough to launch at all tidal states, and the bottom is sandy. In the mornings when the winds are lighter, beginners can be taken around to the bay of Anse La Raie, where there is a 300m wide shallow mostly sandy lagoon, which is very protected, and the water very flat. This is also an ideal location to take out kids windsurfing.
As the wind rises from late morning, the area in front of the wiindsurf centre becomes the perfect launching spot for intermediate and advanced windsurfers to launch and blast in and out in cross shore conditions, The area in front of the launch spot is also ideal fro freestyle. There is a surface chop that develops on the water, but remains fairly flat. There is no shorebreak.
This location is also ideal for fast slalom boards and race equipment, due to the big open expanse of uncrowded lagoon, which extends out to 2.5km from the launch spot. You can also sail upwind for many kilometres in a south easterly direction, before returning downwind on long speed runs.
Best Suited To
Anse La Raie is suited to all levels from beginners to advanced, depending on the wind strengths, However, for wavesailing, the break is 2.5kms from the launch area, and although good wavesailing can be had on the reef, better options can be found at the south of the island in Le Morne.
Best Gear to Use
Freeride and freestyle from 85 to 120 litres, and rigs up to 6.5m
Slalom race equipment. For all board and rig sizes.Windsurfing Centres
- Centre Type: Windsurfing CentresThe ION Club windsurf centre is located within the grounds of the Sensimar Lagoon Hotel. The centre has entry level boards between 133 and 165 litres. For more advanced windsurfers, there are free wave and freeride boards from 80 to 120 litres, and sails up to 6.5m. The centre does not have any wave boards. The centre operates an advanced Read more...
Anse La Raie Kitesurfing
The kitesurfing launch area is located in the 300m wide sandy bay shallow lagoon of Anse La Raia. There is an ION Club kitesurf centre located there which provides tuition as well as rental of equipment. The bay is mostly sandy and knee deep, with a cross-onshore wind from the right, making it very safe, and the water very flat. The wind averages between force 3 and 6 beaufort (12 to 25 knots).
The bay is about a 5 minute walk from the Sensimar Lagoon Hotel and from the Paradise Cove Hotel.
Beginners can have lessons in the shallow lagoon at the centre. Teaching takes place from the beach, as well as from the support boat in the lagoon. The ION Club centre also provides staff who can help those hiring equipment to launch their kites.
Outside of the small 300m wide lagoon is the main lagoon, which extends 2.5km to the outer reef for more experienced kiters. The water has a small chop but no swell. The lagoon stretches 20km towards the South East. To take advantage of the huge area, the centre also organizes downwinders with a support boat for those wanting to cruise long distances in the 20km long lagoon.
At the outer reef there are small waves between 0.5 to 2 meters high which are smaller than those in the south of the island. The centre provides excursions to the outer reef with a support boat and supervision.
For those that are customers of the ION club there is also a rescue service
Best Suited To
Anse La Raie Bay is suitable as a launch location for all levels of kiters.
Le Morne in the south of the island is a better location for those in search of big waves.Best gear to Use
Twin tips and directional boards, and kites up to 14m. Foilboarders need to walk out of the small bay lagoon out to where the water becomes deeper.
Kitesurfing Centres
- Centre Type: Kitesurfing CentresThere is a ION Club kitesurfing centre located in the bay. Equipment can be booked in advance. The centre also offers a service that can shuttle guests by boat from the New Zilwa hotel which is located 2.5kms away to the centre. Read more...
Getting to Anse La Raie
International Access
Air Mauritius operates over 30 weekly flights to and from all the European major cities including 15 combined flights with Air France to and from Paris.
It also operates direct flights from Australia and Singapore.British Airways operates flights from London.
Emirates Airlines operates flights from Dubai, and Condor from Munich and Frankfurt in Germany.
From the Airport to Ansie La Raie
The transfer from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. to Anse la Raie takes around 1 ¼ hours - depending on time of day and the level of traffic around the capital Port Louis.
Transport Services
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Anse La Raie Accommodation
Anse La Raie features some lavish honey-mooner boutique hotels for adults only. Here are some of the best located hotels for those wanting to sail that are within walking distance to the main launching areas ...
Featured Accommodation
- Star Rating:
- 5-star
Blumarine Attitude Hotel is a 4-star venue placed about 6 km from Super U. The hotel represents Asian inspired architecture in Mauritius. The venue is 9 km away from Chateau De Labourdonnais. A convenient setting near a boat dock offers good public transport connections. Shopping centers and boutiques are also set close by. Blumarine Attitude Hotel offers non-smoking rooms with Read more... - Star Rating:
- 5-star
LUX Grand Gaube is a 5-star resort hotel & villas located right on the beach with rooms catering for 1 – 4 guests. Rooms are hotel-style, suites and villas and some have kitchenette’s. The resort has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a variety of restaurants and bars. This is a great luxury child-friendly resort which also has dedicated adult-only areas. Read more... - Star Rating:
- 5-star
Paradise Cove is a 5-star beach-side resort hotel fit for rock stars! Rooms are all twin-share with private balcony or terrace and are ideal for couples. There are 4 restaurants and a pool bar set in lush tropical gardens overlooking the outdoor pool. Services include a day spa/ massage services plus regular entertainment. Free wifi & parking are available as Read more... - Star Rating:
- 4-star
The four star Zilwa Attitude hotel is 2kms from the ION Club kite and windsurfing centres. The ION Club centres do provide a water shuttle if required. This is a great resort for couples and it is also very child friendly with kids club and kids facilities. Rooms are typically single / twin/double however some rooms allow for extra bed(s) Read more...
Food & Nightlife near Anse La Raie
Grand Bay
Grand Bay, 6kms south of Anse La Raie was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). La Cuvette beach in Grand Baie is also well worth a visit.
Pereybère
Pereybere is 4 kms away from Anse La Raie on the coastal road to Grand Baie.The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.
Featured Restaurants & Bars
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Anse La Raie Activities & Culture
The north of the island is mainly beach hotel resorts, but there are a number of places to visit and things to do other than watersports.
Culture
Balaclava Ruins (15 kms south of Anse La Raie)The Balaclava ruins are located at Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, Visitors will be able to see the sea walls and ruins, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.
The Triolet Shivala (13kms from Anse La Raie)The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.
Aapravasi Ghat – Port Louis (25 kms south of Ansie La Raie)
A world heritage site, the Aapravasi Ghat was the original immigration depot from 1849. And represents a key part of Mauritian history.The Chateau de Labourdonnais and Orchards (14kms south of Ansie La Raie)Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, and colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Hiking Trips are available.
Mauritius National Botanical Garden (18kms south of Anse La Raie)
Sugar Museum and Factory (18 kms south of Anse La Raie)
Mauritius Aquarium (12Kms south of Anse La Raie)
Activities
- Shopping nearby at Grand Baie
- Stand Up Paddle Boards
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Island site seeing tours
- Golf: Mont Choisy Golf Course in Grand Baie
- Catamaran cruises: Sunset Cruises, and cruises to Gabriel Island and Flat Island
- Speed Boat Trips: Trips to Gabriel Island, Coin de Mire Island, and Blue Bay Marine Park
- Hiking and Trekking: Hiking trip at Ile D'ambre
- Wildlife Safari trips: Salazie Lodge: 4x4 Deer Safari
- Dolphin and Whale watching
- Seaplane flight Tours
- Helicopter sightseeing
- Tandem Skydiving
- Spas
- Quad Biking
Featured Activities
- Mauritius Catamaran Cruises offers you the chance to experience a vacation like no other with our unique selection of Catamaran Cruises around the island. Our range of Catamaran Cruises allow you to explore Mauritius and the surrounding islets, including the opportunity to discover the best beaches, coastlines and marine life. You will be able to enjoy swims in the blue Read more...
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- Family Friendly
- Some Nightlife
- Easy Access
- Accommodation Nearby
- Non-Sailor Activities
- Luxury Hotel Resorts
- Flat Water
- Lagoon
- Warm Water
- Sandy Beach
- Foiling
- Sailing Centre(s)
- Equipment Rentals
- Tuition
- Safety Observers
- Rescue Craft
- Beach Swimming
- Surfing
- SUPping
- Catamaran Sailing
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Dolphins
- Whales
- Boat Cruises
- Golf
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
Anse Le Raie
Mauritius
Mauritius
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