Anse Vata is a city beach on the south side of Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, with the Promenade Roger Laroque running behind it. Bars, restaurants and nightclubs line the promenade. When the trade wind blows, the beach becomes a meeting point for windsurfers and kitesurfers, who ride out across the lagoon towards Îlot Canard and Îlot Maître.
The trade wind blows here all year. From September to May at least seven days in ten clear 12 knots for three daylight hours or more, and September and March are the pick, at about eight in ten. July is the quietest month, at just under two in three. The mean over rideable hours sits between 16 and 18 knots. The wind builds gently through the day: in January about half the days are windy at 8am and seven in ten by early afternoon. On a September afternoon the bay is properly lit.
Not yet checked against a weather station or an independent model, so treat these figures as a guide.
At a glance
Is it for you?
Skill levelGetting there
WaterBit of chop
Wind · OctUsually turns up
Crowds · OctHeavy in season
Local vibeFriendly enough
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeLively
CostMid
Geek analysis
October in the record
78% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In October the wind most often sits at 12 to 15 kt (28% of daylight hours) and is over 12 kt from 10am to 6pm on at least half the days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
October on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days24 of 31Nine Octobers in the record
DirectionESE 114°
Wind, rideable hours17 ktMean over daylight hours at 12 kt+
Air22.9°CMaximum
Waves1.2 m33% of days run big
Take it with you
The full Nouméa, Anse Vata report
Seven sections over six pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide notes05Sharks, closures & the crossing06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits
WindChaser spot reportNouméa, Anse VataSouth Province, New Caledonia · October78% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Jan · High
Compiled research puts the busy months in the trade wind and summer season, October to March, and April to September as steadier. It is not a head count.
On the water
What October usually does
Wind directionTrade windThe trade wind, which blows through most of the year. No source read states its angle to the beach.
Wind strength16 to 18 ktThe mean over rideable daylight hours, September to May, in the record.
When it blowsAll day, buildingAbout half the days are windy at 8am, seven in ten by early afternoon.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
Launch
Hazard
Parking
School
Stay
Webcam
Approximate
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Nearest airportLa Tontouta (NOU)Nouméa-La Tontouta International, 50 km north of Nouméa.
On the groundSeptember to MayThe windiest months in the record. September and March are the pick.
Getting aroundCar or walkHotels sit on the promenade. Free parking at the Château Royal beach.
SchoolFK 13 KitesurfSchool$$$PricierKiteTrades as FK 13 Kitesurf, also listed as Nouméa Kite School, from Marina Port du Sud in the Baie de l’Orphelinat, taking students by RIB to Îlot Maître and Goéland. Group discovery course 18,000 XPF.
