Point Le Morne on the site of the RIU Hotel Resorts is a popular launching area for windsurfers and kiters and is where ION Club has its Kite & windsurfing centres located.
Directly off the beach is the big lagoon, which is protected by the reef about 600m away from the beach. The beach shelves gently and is sandy.
The lagoon is sailable at all tides except when it is really low, when it becomes too shallow to windsurf. The tidal range is about 1.2m max.
In the mornings when the winds are usually a bit lighter, beginners can learn in the shallow and sandy flat water just in front the of the windsurf centre. This is also an ideal opportunity to take out kids windsurfing. As the wind rises in the morning, this becomes the perfect launching spot for intermediate and advanced windsurfers to launch and blast in and out in cross shore conditions, The water remains flat until mid to high tide, when a surface chop develops on the water.
As it gets windier the area is then shared with kitesurfers who either launch at the Main Beach or sail upwind from the Kitesurf training area around the corner to the left.
There are a few spots in front of the Main Beach that get reformed waves rolling through to stand up and break. These are generally knee to waist high,, and provide a safe learning environment for those who have never sailed in waves before. If the winds are light, it is possible to take a windsup out to play in these smaller waves.
At high tide the current can be very strong, and can take the sailor out through the channel between the reefs if they get into trouble. There is a lookout at the ION Centre, and a rescue boat, but unless you are hiring your equipment from the centre, you will be charged a high price to be rescued. If the tide is very high and the wind very strong, coupled to a large outer ocean swell, then the ION Club centre will order its clients off the water, and no rescue cover will be available.
A shorty wetsuit is recommended in the winter months, as well as booties to protect your feet from the coral if it is shallow. These can be hired from the ION Club.
