Ilot de Maitre is a 600m long thin island surrounded by a vast shallow lagoon of sand and reef. Access is provided by a number of small ferries that depart regularly from Anse Vata Bay. The ferry ride is approximately 15 minutes and they are used to carrying kite gear at no extra charge.
Consistent south easterly trade winds and blue lagoon like water provide ideal conditions for flatwater freestyle. The wind direction at the launch beach is onshore.
The launch area is along the length of the island down one side that faces south easterly. The other side of the island has resort accommodation and jetty for the ferries
There is always room to launch the kite. The weekends can get very busy with kiters.
Non sailing family members can snorkel along the western facing side of the island, where there is an abundance of tropical fish, as well as turtles to swim beside. Snorkelling equipment can be hired from the ferry terminal at Ansa Vata Bay before embarkation. There is also a restaurant and swimming pool on the island, and for those that can afford it, accommodation huts on stilts out on the water. The western side of the island is sheltered from the south easterly trade wind, so sunbathing and reading is comfortable.
Pros
- Very flat water at all states of tide
- Turquoise water
- Space to launch on a long sandy beach
- Consistent south easterly trade winds
- It is possible to kite in a variety of wind directions as it is an island so the wind is clean
- Ideal location to learn to kite.
Cons
- Becomes very shallow at low tide
- Can become crowded on a good day
- Keep an eye out for turtles.
