Planning a one week trip in July, I'm in Perth.
Last year I did Kitesurfari out of Cairns with my wife, was great but I'm looking at Cocos or Mauritius this year. Not too keen on surf, but flat water preference. Might be on my own this year.
So, Cocos or Mauritius, discuss please.
Cocos is stunning. Both times I was there we got heaps of wind. It's a flat water paradise. On the off chance that you cop a windless day, there is plenty of other activities to keep you going. Scuba diving, suping, surfing, golf, cheap alcohol. You should definitely go there with Zephyr Kite Tours, they make it such an easy, safe and pleasant experience. They organise lagoon crossings, down winders, clinics and night time activities. They offer lots of support too, rescue boat and beach staff for any advice, tips and launching / landing needs.
Cocos is worth checking out, definitely a beaut spot, if it was me I'd be looking at going later in their season. Zephyr do it well.
Contact Mike at kitethrills.com/ for info on organised trips to Mauritius
Tough choice 
Haven't been to Mauritius but went to Cocos last season.
If you want to really relax, just kite, eat and sleep if you want, go to Cocos.
The place is amazing and there's other stuff to do but only of you can be bothered.
I was lucky with wind, 8m most days but it's not always as windy. Water is not super flat, but it's shallow without lots of reef etc and there is about an acre per kite most of the time.
Loved my trip to Cocos and may just go back this year.
Select to expand quoteDANEgerous said..
Cocos is stunning. Both times I was there we got heaps of wind. It's a flat water paradise. On the off chance that you cop a windless day, there is plenty of other activities to keep you going. Scuba diving, suping, surfing, golf, cheap alcohol. You should definitely go there with Zephyr Kite Tours, they make it such an easy, safe and pleasant experience. They organise lagoon crossings, down winders, clinics and night time activities. They offer lots of support too, rescue boat and beach staff for any advice, tips and launching / landing needs.
Cocos is amazing, however if your a competent kiter there is no reason to pay Zephyr anything, from what I have seen its a complete rip off ontop of an already expensive trip!
Avoid Zephyr like the plague just do it of your own back, simply just a rip off.
Cocos is great.
Mauritius is better.
Thanks heaps guys. I think youve sold me on Cocos, with or without Zephyr. I like the idea of some organised things and meeting like minds though.
If jour adventurous there a heap to do underwater at the Cocos Islands, personally for me the kiting was the low point as I like stronger winds and different ocean conditions, I didn't go with zeph kite tours but you can do your own thing, I can name a few spots north from me that would make you wonder if it's worth the trip, having said that if you want to meet a few crew and do the social stuff then the cocos gig would be worth it,
July in Cocos can be light - August usually stronger winds.Will need a 15 m plus kite for some days in July.Having said that last July the winds were strong and 7- 8 m kites were the go.Not so the previous 7- 8 years.
Zephyr have a great set up and yes you will pay more but the benefits for some will outweigh the extra costs.For those learning requiring lessons and not having to worry about repairs and the right sized gear and safety issues plus transport and other activities I would recommend them especially for your first trip there.
Their instructors Al and Kel are excellent.
I have never been with Zephyr but have seen them start from scratch at Cocos.Do a great job from what I can see.
I went to Mauritius nearly 3 years ago (July Holiday) for a week after spending a week in Reunion Island. My mate and I (both experience travellers) rented a little place in La Gaulette. The guy who ran the place organised us a ute to hire for the week. We were about 10 minutes drive from the beach and we had a rad time. When it wasn't windy we checked out the mountains, drank loads of cheap rum and went up to Port Louis for a day. We went clubbing one night in Flic en Flac.
Kite wise, you can do the full spectrum there - flat water to waves. I had never been in a proper reef break setup before and despite being on a twin tip I had a ball. Probably my most memorable kite session ever. I saw plenty of Aussies there in tour groups but we didn't hang out with them.
I guess it just comes down to how you are travelling - by yourself or with friends. By yourself, sounds like Cocos is a good option if you don't want to tour. For Mauritius, by yourself, I would definitely want to be in a tour group. Mauritius doesn't do backpacker hostels - they are trying to aim at the higher end of the market. This may have changed but this was my understanding from our landlord at the time - he was trying to set up a kitesurfing hotel/hostel arrangement in La Gaulette where single travellers could come and have people to hang with and he was coming up against the no hostel rule.
Hi JimJones
I used to fly regularly to Cocos island, unfortunately not to kite, but I don't remember it being very windy there. Here is a link which shows the average wind stats since 1995. In July about 34% of days get above 15Kts.
www.bom.gov.au/aviation/data/climate_summaries/priority-stations/Model_D/IDC10161.FQ02X_200284_999999995958535.pdf
Also check the tides, I believe you cant sail around the low tide in the lagoon, its too shallow.
Hope this helps
