Le Galion (Galeon bay), Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, Netherlands Antilles

Submitted by hanzzz on 10 March 2007 - 3:25pm.

Location:

Sint Maarten / Saint Martin, Netherlands Antilles

Forecast sites:

Webcams:

Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is the smallest landmass shared by two countries. "The friendly island" has 32 beaches of which only two are suitable for kitesurfing: Orient Bay and Le Galion (Galeon Bay). They are both located on the north-east side on the French side of the island. Galeon Bay is well known amongst expert kiteboarders, while Orient Bay is more for kite schools and tourists. Galeon Bay is a tiny bay with flat or choppy water most of the times, but some nice waves break on the end right side. Launch area is a small field. Watch out for pieces of glass though, as many locals crowd this place on weekends, leaving their garbage.

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Getting there:

Nearest airport:

Princess Juliana Airport

Nearest big city:

Philipsburg / Marigot

Nearest town:

Grand Case / Quartier d'Orleans

Trip from town:

short

Access:

immediate

Directions:

Get a rental car at the airport and drive to French Side's Marigot. Follow the road to Grand Case. Leave Grand Case for what it is and head straight to Quartier d'Orient. When you've passed Orient, turn left at the roadsign "Le Galion".
At the first intersection turn left for Orient Bay. Head straight for Le Galion. Follow the dirt road for approximately 1 kilometer. Pass the riding school. Launch area is a small field on your right hand side.

Low-cost flights to Le Galion (Galeon bay)

At the beach:

Level required:

intermediate

Best style:

freestyle

wave

Watersports:

kitesurf

windsurf

surf

Spot type:

lagoon

Shore:

soft sand

Bottom:

sand with rocks

Crowd:

sparse

Hazards:

- reef

Facilities:

+ school

+ launch area

+ food

Beach rules:

No restrictions. Mind the surfing teenagers at the wave spot. Launch site is strenuous for beginners. Site is small with unpredictable windgusts when launching. Advice for beginners: launch, cross the tiny sand dune and walk at least 100 yard down the beach before entering the water. This will be must safer for you and especially for other people! Keep away from windsurfers at the left side of the beach. Respect locals and (wind)surfers.

Weather:

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Wind conditions:

Dominant winds:

Respect to shore:

onshore

side-onshore

Best direction:

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Wind strenght (Bf):

3-4

4-5

Blowing at:

morning

afternoon

Best season:
[70% >= 4bf]

› January

› February

› July

Medium season:
[45-70% >= 4bf]

› January

› February

› March

› April

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› June

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› August

› December

Wind Speed Converter

Wind details:

• Wind: average windspeed on a good day up to 16-17 knots with gusts to 24-25 knots. December-july: winds can be good for a week. Sometimes no wind for weeks. September-november: hurricanes season with less or no wind. Bring gear for light conditions. • Weather: average annual temperature of 79F /29C. No wetsuit needed.

On the water:

Water quality:

crystalline

Best tide:

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Waves:

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Consistency:

consistent (61-120 days/yr)

Water details:

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When is flat:

Day activities:

Sint Maarten is a small island. All activities wil take take no longer than a 20 minute drive. There is a wide variety of activities; crowded "Orient Beach" with lots of beach bars, shopping in Marigot and Philipsburg, diving at "Great Bay" and much more...
Check Philip's surfshop "Surface" in Marigot!

Night scene:

Tuesday; "Greenhouse" in P'burg or "Sunset Beach Bar" at airport.
Wednesday; "Bamboo Bernies" at airport.
Friday; "Boardwalk" in P'burg (till 11pm), "Lady C" in Simpson Bay
Saturday; "Bliss" at airport or "Q club" in Maho