Pacific or Far East, most are subjected to unique climatic conditions both wind and weather wise. Nearly all the towns and villages are on the leeward side of the island, sheltered from the ravages of the elements. This is where the capital of Port Louis is found and where the centre of trade goes on, be it from the sea with trading and fishing, or the fruits of the land. All over the island the clusters of population are focused around the sugar plantations where the gentle waves of swaying sugar cane dominate the landscape. Any number of fruit, vegetables and spices are produced from this fertile island.

Mauritius's geological past is from a volcanic origin when the other islands of Reunion and Rodrigues were also formed. Due to heavy erosion over the whole island, only two areas of mountains remain, one in the northwest in the Moka district and the other in the southwest in the Black River district.

Due to its colourful history, the island has a myriad of tales and legends about the past glories and mistakes created by the different foreign powers that captured and took control of the island's development. This is no different to the Caribbean where the slaves from Africa became the work horses of the European plantation owners who had close links with the East India Company that used Port Louis as a staging post as well as carrying the islands produce back to far away Europe.

Even now Mauritius has links with modern day lifestyle. In fact Baron Arnaud de Ronsay, one of the legendary adventurers of windsurfing was born and bred on the island where he learnt to sail and was perhaps one of the first windsurfers to challenge the superb conditions at many of the spots which can be found along the eastern shores. With pure Tradewinds, magnificent flatwater lagoons and awesome waves on the coral reefs protecting the perfect, idyllic beaches.

One of these special venues is Le Morne Brabant, a huge lagoon with its own island of L'Ile aux Benitiers (the island of clams), fringed round on the ocean side by a finger of palm encrusted land, once the original reef. Dominating the whole scene, is the gandeur of Le Morne, a huge rock with sheer faces of rock rising straight from white glistening beaches that surround its foot.

This corner of Mauritius has superb conditions with warm water and reliable, consistent wind for windsurfers and kiters, for debutante and expert, for flatwater and waves, every conceivable discipline is on your doorstep.

The predominant wind is the Southeast Trade, strongest from May to November, blowing for over 300 days a year above Force 4. At Le Morne which stands like a sentinel at the very tip of the island, the direction is cross, cross onshore in the more expert areas, and, almost onshore in the beginners and training areas. Directly in front of the launch is a glorious flatwater lagoon, extending out for about 800m to the reef break. The reef has two specific named wave areas, Manawa and One Eye which are either side of the channel that feeds the lagoon. For easier sailing Manawa can equally be challenged head on or by using the channel and dropping in behind the classic wave riding conditions that can be found. For the adrenalin seekers One Eye can be awesome with on its day two mast high waves created by the sudden drop-off of the reef into the deep blue Indian Ocean. Caution must be taken when sailing on the outside as the current is extremely strong taking anybody with problems away from Le Morne.

For lesser mortals and for those starting off in either windsurfing or kiting, turn left at the end of the beach and another world opens up with a huge flatwater lagoon that runs for over a mile to the east. The wind is softer in this area due to the protection of the coast line upwind and the buffer action of the rock faces of Le Morne. The ideal venue.

Rodrigues

Sitting nearly 400 miles north-east of Mauritius, Rodrigues emerges out of the distance located in the centre of a vast emerald blue lagoon. This tiny island just 11 miles from top to bottom and 5 miles across has a charm and a beauty found very rarely anywhere in the world.

A complete mixture of the rock strewn mountains of Wales and the heady atmosphere of the Caribbean; totally different from the sophistication of Mauritius. The whole island is ringed by the lagoon that controls the whole nature of Rodrigues and its truly creole inhabitants. From the moment you set foot on terra firma, you can feel the rhythm of the atmosphere; the warmth and freshness of the trade winds; the friendliness of the people and the simplicity in the way they live. It feels as though time and the modern world has passed this secret hideaway by.

Tucked away along the road to no where on the south-east coast is the tiny village of Mourouk which borders the edge of the lagoon and is home to a typical creole style hotel complex - Mourouk Ebony. Perched on the rolling hillside that drops down to the pure white sand that kisses the warm, crystal clear waters of the lagoon, this hotel is the spot that dreams are made of. This really is the watersports heaven, with constant cross-shore winds, flat warm water, dive spots that have never been seen and water playground that goes on for ever.

Indian Ocean fact file