Overview

Étang de La Palme — between La Franqui (Leucate) and Port-la-Nouvelle. THE best spot for beginners by Tramontane in the whole region — you have feet everywhere, wind pushes you back to shore (onshore on étang). Spectacular Pyrénées-Orientales and Corbières views.

By Tramontane NW: onshore on the étang — safe, you always come back to shore. Powerful, often >30 knots. Flat to light chop. Speed, freestyle. Prince of Speed international speed competition held here — world record attempts. Flat water protected by the sand bar, powerful regular wind.

By Marin SE: offshore on étang — ultra-flat lagoon, magical for freestyle. Wind carries you into the étang (shallow everywhere = safe). The only spot in the region where SE creates glass-flat conditions.

Two distinct sub-spots: Spot du Salin (kite + windsurf, access via Salin de La Palme, free shuttle April-Oct) and Spot des Vignes (windsurf/wing ONLY, southwest access after camping Le Clapotis).

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Spot forecast for Etang de La Palme

Sunrise 08:07 · Sunset 18:58

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Etang de La Palme: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

370h

in July · 30.5 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in July: 29 rideable days a month and 370 hours of usable wind, at 24 °C. The low point is October, at 21.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 41%13-20 knots · 47%21-30 knots · 11%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 47% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is January, at 13 °C. The wettest month is December, with 103 mm.

Monthly averages: Etang de La Palme

Monthly averages — Etang de La Palme — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	24.5	184 h	13 °C	27 mm
February	23.5	227 h	14 °C	25 mm
March	25.0	268 h	15 °C	35 mm
April	28.0	326 h	17 °C	50 mm
May	30.0	358 h	21 °C	29 mm
June	29.0	293 h	26 °C	6 mm
July	30.5	370 h	29 °C	29 mm
August	30.0	323 h	29 °C	10 mm
September	27.5	314 h	23 °C	29 mm
October	21.5	190 h	21 °C	40 mm
November	23.0	230 h	16 °C	47 mm
December	23.5	200 h	13 °C	103 mm

Photo gallery of Etang de La Palme

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Technical details of Etang de La Palme spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, E, ESE, SE, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Local association recommendations

SurfandKite — Main kite school on this spot. Courses all levels. Tel: 06.51.89.29.77.

EBKite (Arnaud Lacauste) — Kite school, Les Cabanes de La Palme. Tel: 06.13.83.10.43.

Windykite (Brice Laquièze) — Kite school. Tel: 06.84.85.16.10.

La Palme Kitesurfing — Local association promoting kite on the étang and Rouet beach. Eric: 06.47.87.72.48, Laurent: 06.15.25.30.73.

Association Funboard La Palme — Windsurfers association, protects the Spot des Vignes.

KreaKite — Upcycled kite craft shop, unique creations from recycled kites.

Spot functioning

Tramontane NW (dominant): onshore on étang. Feet everywhere. Wind pushes to shore = ultra-safe. Flat water protected by sand bar. Speed, freestyle, freeride. Can rotate N/NE during the day → gusty.

Marin SE: offshore on étang. Ultra-flat lagoon. Magical freestyle conditions — like a Brazilian lagoon. Wind carries you into shallow étang = safe.

Both directions work and are safe — one of the only spots in the region where this is the case.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Year-round. Official kite zone. April-October: access via free shuttle from Salin de La Palme parking (vehicle access closed kite side). Outside season: vehicle access possible on the digue. Zone balisée by 4 posts on land and buoys at sea marking west limit. Natura 2000 — respect nesting periods. Camping Le Clapotis nearby (naturist).
Required level: Beginner

On the water

Étang water. Shallow EVERYWHERE — feet everywhere, maximum safety. By Tramontane: flat to light chop, protected by sand bar. By Marin SE: ultra-flat lagoon, glass conditions. Sandy/muddy bottom. Warm in summer. 1-1.5 m depth typical. Prince of Speed speed records here. Protection gear recommended (shallow = impact risk).

Parking

Spot du Salin (kite): park at Salin de La Palme (free). Free electric shuttle to the spot April-October. Off-season: drive on the digue, park along the berges (don't pass the sign forbidding vehicles). Bar/restaurant at the Salin. No bins on spot.

Spot des Vignes (windsurf only): access from SW of étang, after camping Le Clapotis. Regulated parking. Private landowners — respect agreement with Association Funboard La Palme.

Wind specificities

Tramontane (NW): dominant, 300+ days/year. ONSHORE on étang = safe. Often >30 knots with gusts. Can rotate N/NE during day → gusty/unpredictable. Marin (SE): offshore on étang = ultra-flat freestyle paradise. Both winds safe and rideable. Only spot in the region safe by both Tramontane AND Marin on étang. Prince of Speed competition: world speed records. SurfandKite base.

Hazards

Tramontane can turn N/NE during the day — loses power but becomes very gusty and unpredictable. Always bring a small kite (>30 knots possible). Narrow launch area: 200-350 m long but <13 m wide at some points. Launch in the water for maximum safety. Forbidden to navigate on the salins. Natura 2000: respect nesting areas, avoid herbiers. Shallow everywhere: protection gear recommended (reef shoes, impact vest). Many schools and beginners: keep distance. No bins on spot — take your trash.

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Additional stations

LEUCATE6.9 km

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PORT-LA-NOUVELLE6.5 km

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Etang de La Palme kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot