Emerald Sea
Diego Suarez · Antsiranana, Madagascar · Intermediate–Pro
Remote trade-wind paradise on the Emerald Sea
Madagascar's far north is one of windsurfing's last frontiers: the vast, protected Diego Suarez Bay and the shallow turquoise Emerald Sea, powered by relentless winter trade winds — with not another sail in sight.
Photos from this destination's spots.
The destination
The spots (2)
One of windsurfing's last frontiers. The Babaomby peninsula at Madagascar's northern tip is reached by boat, and in front of it lies the Emerald Sea — a vast, shallow, impossibly turquoise lagoon powered by the varatraza trade wind that blows relentlessly from April to November. Flat water inside, playful swell on the outer reefs, and most days the only sails on the water are the ones you came with.
- Best
- Works
- No-go
Wind statistics · modeled
Modeled estimate — coarse models can under-read wind-acceleration spots (Canaries, Tarifa…).
Modeled from Open-Meteo climatology at the pin — a guide, not measured on site.
Best forecast hereNo votes yet — be the first
No votes yet — be the first.
Which forecast nails it here? Vote the model you trust.
It's the forecast model — in any wind app (Windguru, Windy…) you can pick which one to show. Not sure? GFS is the safe global default; the high-res ones (ICON-D2, AROME…) are sharper at coastal & thermal spots.
Global models
High-resolution (thermal / coastal)
The renowned wave spot behind the Nosy Suarez islet — on the reef edge that borders the Emerald Sea lagoon. Cross-shore varatraza trade wind meets open-ocean swell to make the area's longest, most consistent wave. One for confident riders; reached by boat from Babaomby Lodge.
Level: mostly Advanced (2)
Conditions: 100% medium waves (1–2 m) · 50% small waves (0.5–1 m) · 50% big waves (2 m+) · 50% shallow
On site: Windsurf center (1) · Rental (1)
Wind statistics · modeled
Modeled estimate — coarse models can under-read wind-acceleration spots (Canaries, Tarifa…).
Modeled from Open-Meteo climatology at the pin — a guide, not measured on site.
Best forecast hereNo votes yet — be the first
No votes yet — be the first.
Which forecast nails it here? Vote the model you trust.
It's the forecast model — in any wind app (Windguru, Windy…) you can pick which one to show. Not sure? GFS is the safe global default; the high-res ones (ICON-D2, AROME…) are sharper at coastal & thermal spots.
Global models
High-resolution (thermal / coastal)
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