Country and Location

Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. The main island, also called Madagascar, is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. They include the lemur infraorder of primates, the carnivorous fossa, three bird families and six baobab species. Two thirds of the population live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

Ramena is a town and commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Antsiranana II, which is a part of Diana Region in Antsiranana Province. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 4,000 in 2001 commune census.

The seasons and Accommodation info

The best period to visit Madagascar is July-December. There is accommodation on the spot and in the area.

Possibilities besides kiting

Besides kitesurfing you can:
-Enjoy other watersports
-Watch the humpback whales
-Check out the wildlife on Madagascar
-Enjoy the nightlife in Diego Suarez

Climate

The climate is dominated by the southeastern trade winds that originate in the Indian Ocean anticyclone, a center of high atmospheric pressure that seasonally changes its position over the ocean. Madagascar has two seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April; and a cooler, dry season from May to October. There is, however, great variation in climate owing to elevation and position relative to dominant winds. The east coast has a subequatorial climate and, being most directly exposed to the trade winds, has the heaviest rainfall, averaging as much as 3.5 meters annually. This region is notorious not only for a hot, humid climate in which tropical fevers are endemic but also for the destructive cyclones that occur during the rainy season, coming in principally from the direction of the Mascarene Islands. Because rain clouds discharge much of their moisture east of the highest elevations on the island, the central highlands are appreciably drier and, owing to the altitude, also cooler. Thunderstorms are common during the rainy season in the central highlands, and lightning is a serious hazard. The air temperature is between 30-40°C over the year.

Spot conditions:
The beach

The Sakalava Bay has a big sandy beach and offers enough space for save launching and landing.

The water conditions

The crystal clear water is shallow and therefore flat to choppy. About 800 meters from the beach is a reef where medium sized waves are breaking. The water temperature is around 26°C.

The wind conditions

The best and most windiest months are July-December. The trade wind blows mainly from the Northeast and southeast. The northeast wind is sideshore in the Sakalava Bay. After December the wind drops and blows from the southeast the rest of the year.

Facilities

All facilities you need are available. Rooms, a school, toilets, showers, food and a parking.

Downwinder and trip possibilites

Most spots are situated south of Tulear from Androka to Fort Dauphin on the west coast. Along this entire coast you find outer reefs with passes which pick up the predominant SW swell.

Travel info

The nearest town is Ramena. The nearest big city and airport is Diego Suarez. Take a fligt to international airport Antananarivo and take a local flight from there to Diego Suarez. From there you can take a taxi or a car, this wil take you 15min.

Links

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramena

Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6n00csw5Dg

Schools:
http://www.sakalava.com/pagesgb/kiteschool.htm

Info:
http://www.wildmadagascar.org
http://www.travel2madagascar.com/nav/special-activities/kitesurfing.html
http://www.sakalava.com