Just 40 km from Marseille, Carro is one of the top wave kitesurfing spots in the south of France, renowned as much for the quality of the waves as the strength of the winds. Tricky launch, big waves and strong currents make Carro suitable only for experienced kiters.
Freeride
Freestyle
Wave Riding
Probably the best wave spot on the Med coast.
Hectic launch, dangerous in Mistral. No beach.
Spot Information
Spot Type
Reef
Best Wind
W,E,SE
Rider Level
Advanced
Style
Wave riding
Best Time of Year
Year round
Summer Water Temp
22°C > 25°C
Winter Water Temp
13°C > 15°C
Hazards:
Mistral blows off-shore.
Hazardous set up, launch and land.
Hazardous set up, launch and land.
Highlights
Wind Forecast
What’s the wind forecast in Carro over the next 5 days?
Google Map
Practical Information
Nearest Town
Martigues (12.3 km)
Nearest Airport
Marseille Provence Airport (31 min)
Latitude/Longitude
43.328459
-
5.040522
Parking
Large car park on the way out to Pointe de Carro on Rue des Ragues. There's separate car parks for cars and campers.
Tourist Office
Office de Tourisme de Martigues
Rond-point de l’Hôtel-de-Ville
13500 Martigues
France
Phone: + 33 (0)4 42 42 31 10
Web: www.martigues-tourisme.com
Email: info@martigues-tourisme.com
Spot Description
Carro is renowned for the quality its waves and consistency of the wind. The spot is just 40 km from Marseille and when the conditions are good wave kiters from France’s second biggest city descend en masse. The waves and rocks make it a super-technical spot and off-limits to all but the best riders.
Watch this: Strapless performance in Carro
The kitesurfing
Carro is a small Mediterranean fishing village 12 km south of Martigues. There’s no beach, instead a rocky shelf extends for 400 m out to sea from the seafront. Swell generated by wind fetch hits the rock and kicks up some fast, steep waves up to 2 metres on a big day. The spot’s location at the far end of a rocky point also means that there’s some current to be aware of. A buoy marks the entrance to the harbour and makes a good marker when you’re tracking off-shore. When the conditions line up, the best kitesurfers can have an epic session.
Launching and landing a kite along the rocky shore is a precarious operation. It’s not just the rocks, you’ve also got a pretty gnarly shorebreak and sea urchins to contend with and you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing booties. There’s lots of free parking right by the spot and lots of places to eat round the port.
Wind Conditions
In a south-easterly, the wind hits cross-shore and produces optimal conditions for wave riding. The north-easterly Mistral blows cross-off-shore, making it hazardous unless you have the ability to ride up-wind in wavey conditions.
In an easterly Carro can be blown out. If that’s the case, try heading to Fos-sur-Mer just to the north of Port-de-Bouc. In a northerly, Carro is blown flat and you’ll get better waves at la Pointe Rouge, the other side of Marseille.
Carro Kitesurfing Gallery
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