Palplanche is a lagoon-style kitesurfing spot located near an industrial port facility in Gabon. The spot consists of a shallow, enclosed lagoon protected by a curved sandbar that faces northwest into the Atlantic Ocean. The lagoon's protected nature makes it suitable for beginners and lighter wind conditions, though the industrial setting with storage tanks and refinery infrastructure dominates the shoreline.
The spot's main characteristic is its sheltered lagoon waters separated from open ocean by the natural sandbar formation. Wind conditions are weak and unreliable (8.4% reliability, 7.6 knots average), making consistent sessions challenging. The best wind direction for side-shore conditions would be from the northeast (45°), which provides parallel flow along the coastline. Wave heights average only 1.2m due to the protected lagoon environment.
This spot suits beginners seeking flat-water conditions with minimal fetch and wave exposure. However, kiters should be aware of the industrial operations nearby, potential water quality issues, shallow depths throughout the lagoon, and occasional vessel traffic. The low wind reliability and weak average conditions mean sessions depend heavily on favorable weather windows.