Diego Suarez, Madagascar
Mar · 39% rideableSakalava Bay
What it's actually like
Sakalava Bay is in the north of Madagascar, about 20 km from Diego Suarez: 15 km of sealed road, then 4.5 km of sand track. A coral reef protects a shallow lagoon behind a white sand beach more than 2 km long, with the lodges and their schools spread along it. The wind is the Varatraz, the south-east trade, blowing side to side-onshore.
April to October is the season. In every one of those months more than three days in four clear 12 knots for three daylight hours or more, and August is the pick, at 100 per cent, with September a point behind. The mean over those rideable hours sits between 16 and 18 knots. It blows from the morning and peaks around midday, and in August and September about nine windy days in ten are already blowing at eight. From December to March the share drops to between a quarter and a half. The peak months here are properly lit.
KiteParadise says it is usually about 28°C but can drop to 23°C in July and August, so boardshorts do most of the year and a shorty is worth bringing for July and August.
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Your month
When it's good
12 kt+ for 3+ daylight hours · kite
March · 39%. 12 rideable days in 31, 3.4 hours a day over 12 kt. Bring a book.
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?
Geek analysis
March in the record
39% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In March the wind most often sits at 8 to 11 kt (35% of daylight hours). No daylight hour is over 12 kt on at least half the days. The best hours are 12pm to 1pm, each on 37% of days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
March on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Take it with you
The full Sakalava Bay report
Seven sections over six pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Aug · HighBusiest from June to September, the peak of the trade wind, according to compiled research rather than a count. The lodges set the numbers: Sakalava Lodge takes 15 guests at most.
On the water
What March usually does
March sits outside the best months here. 39% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
- Launch
- Hazard
- Parking
- School
- Stay
- Webcam
We haven't found published rules for this spot.
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Stay, schools & kit
Who works this beach
All 6 stays near Sakalava Bay on one page