From WOO record-breaking jumps to fresh fish BBQs on remote islands, this is the kind of kite adventure you’ll dream about long after you’re home. Read all about Jason van der Spuy’s trip to Madagascar here!

Madagascar is an island off Africa with beautiful beaches and blue water, basically the perfect place for holidaymakers. But what you probably do not think of is that Madagascar gets nonstop wind for 10 months of the year, with some days reaching up to 45 knots. It has an incredible variety of water conditions too: waves, flat spots, lagoons, reef breaks, and even the bluest water you will ever see in the Emerald Sea.

I am Jason. You might have seen me do some silly things on short lines with my kite, or maybe not. Either way, I spend most of my time travelling the world searching for the best kite spots, and this time I landed somewhere so special I had to sit down and write a magazine article about it. I made the journey with my girlfriend Alessa, my dad, and one of his close friends, which made the whole trip even more meaningful. If you have ever been curious about Madagascar and what it holds for kiters, then spare five minutes of your time; you will not regret it.

Getting There: Easier Than You Think

The thought of travelling to Madagascar might seem daunting, but it is surprisingly simple. Three major airlines fly there, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air France, so getting in is fairly straightforward. Once you land at the main airport, it is a short one-hour internal flight to Diego Suarez in Northern Madagascar. From there, it is just a 30-minute drive to Sakalava Bay, the kiting mecca of the region.

First Impressions

We arrived at Sakalava Lodge in the evening and were immediately in awe of what was in front of us. Keep in mind, the road from the airport passes through the bustling city of Diego before turning into a gnarly dirt track, so we did not know what to expect. But when we arrived, it felt like a fairytale.

Our bungalows were tucked among beautiful pine trees, just steps from the beach. The sand stretched about 30 meters to the water’s edge, where the kite spot began. The bay itself is massive, with warm, crystal-blue water and endless whitecaps on the horizon. It was paradise.

Kite, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

For the first few days, we did what any kiter would do: spent as much time on the water as humanly possible. One of the absolute highlights of Sakalava Lodge is how easy and accessible it makes kiting. The bungalows are so close to the water that it is practically effortless. The staff take care of everything, setting up your gear and packing it away afterwards, so all you have to do is launch and ride. You are 10 meters from the water.

The lodge is all-inclusive, which adds even more to the experience. You wake up, have breakfast, go for a session, grab lunch, go for another session, riding both high tide and low tide spots, from waves to flatwater. Then it is dinner, and by 8 p.m., you are so blissfully exhausted you just crash, wake up, and do it all over again.

The Emerald Sea Downwinder

Midway through the trip, we decided to explore a bit further and made our way to the Emerald Sea. It is a downwinder from Sakalava Bay that takes about 45 minutes, and it was absolutely worth it.

We kited through the ocean with the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen; it was surreal. While we were flying through the turquoise sea, our support crew was out spearfishing. When we landed our kites, they took us to a nearby island where they cooked up a fresh fish barbecue. We had an epic lunch and then sailed back to the lodge in the evening. It was one of those perfect days that you wish you could relive over and over again.

Big Air, Big Records, and Bigger Vibes

The wind never let up. Every day, we were out there riding, jumping, and chasing personal bests. One day it blew at 45 knots, and I managed to break the Madagascar WOO record with a 29+ meter jump, definitely a standout session.

But the best part was getting the local community hooked on WOO.

About halfway through the trip, we decided to organise a WOO competition with six of the most talented local Malagasy riders. As soon as we announced it, the stoke levels skyrocketed. There was so much interest from kiters all around the bay; everyone wanted to take part, but for this first event, we had to limit it to just six competitors.

We set a time and got down to the spot. The energy was electric. A massive crowd gathered to watch, and when the riders hit the water, it was game on. They had a timed window to compete head-to-head, with all six of them out there at once, trying to post the highest jump.

And honestly, the talent in Madagascar blew us away. Not only were they going big with WOO heights, but they were also throwing down technical tricks like massive kite loop board-offs. The level of riding, combined with the raw passion for the sport, was genuinely next level.

When we announced the winners, the vibe was unreal - so much hype and stoke. The top three riders stood on the podium, each receiving cash prizes and WOO devices. But it did not end there. After the prize giving, everyone got back on the water for an impromptu expression session. The two most stylish riders from that round were also rewarded with more WOO devices.

In the end, nearly every rider who competed walked away with something because they were all absolutely sending it. It turned into one of the most memorable days of the entire trip, and we are already planning to come back next year for a bigger and better version, opening it up to even more of the local shredders.

Special Mentions

This trip would not have been half as memorable without the incredible people behind the scenes at Sakalava Lodge. Massive thanks to Greg, whose hospitality, energy, and love for the sport helped make everything run seamlessly, and to Alex, who went above and beyond every day to make sure we were having the best time possible, both on and off the water.

And of course, a huge shoutout to the entire team and crew at Sakalava Lodge. From the staff helping with gear setup, to the kitchen team serving up amazing meals, to the locals cheering on the beach, every single person played a part in creating an unforgettable experience. You made us feel right at home.

The Spirit of Sakalava

What really makes Madagascar magical, beyond the wind, water, and landscapes, is the people. Sakalava Bay is for kiteboarding. It is the heartbeat of the whole place. You feel deeply connected to the sport and the community. It is relaxed and laid-back, with everything taken care of, so you can focus on the wind, water, and the ride.

For anyone dreaming of a kite trip that is off the beaten path, with steady wind, world-class conditions, and a vibe like no other, Madagascar is waiting.

By IKSURFMAG