C Resorts’ fifth C Kite Festival aims to position Mauritius as a global hotspot for wind sports, lifestyle travel and immersive island experiences.
As destinations compete to attract experience-driven travellers, C Resorts is doubling down on sports tourism with the return of the C Kite Festival in Mauritius this June.
Running from 26 to 28 June at C Mauritius Palmar, the fifth edition of the festival is set to bring together some of the world’s biggest names in kitesurfing, transforming the island’s east coast into a hub for adrenaline sports, beach culture and lifestyle hospitality.
What began as a niche sporting gathering has evolved into one of the Indian Ocean’s most visible kitesurfing events, helping position Mauritius as a serious contender on the global wind sports circuit.
Organised in collaboration with former world champion Antoine Auriol, the festival combines professional competition with immersive travel experiences aimed at a younger generation of active travellers seeking more than traditional luxury holidays.
This year’s line-up includes reigning Big Air World Champion Lorenzo Casati, 2024 women’s champion Zara Hoogenraad, freestyle pioneer Giel Vlugt, British champion Hannah Whiteley, world record holder Clément Huot and five-time French champion Louka Pitot.
Beyond the sporting credentials, organisers are leaning heavily into the festival’s lifestyle angle. Alongside competitions such as Big Air, Best Trick and Fun Race, visitors can expect beach parties, live music, communal dining experiences and open riding sessions with athletes.
One of the biggest additions this year is the launch of “Kite by Night”, described as Mauritius’ first night-time kitesurfing spectacle. The show will feature illuminated kites and LED-enhanced performances over the water, adding a visual entertainment element rarely seen in the region.
For Mauritius, the festival reflects a wider tourism strategy focused on adventure travel and experiential tourism rather than traditional resort-only escapes. By attracting international athletes, media attention and sports enthusiasts, the event also shines a spotlight on the island’s east coast as a destination for wind and water sports.
According to organisers, the festival has become as much about showcasing Mauritian lifestyle and culture as it is about elite competition.
“Reaching a fifth edition is a meaningful milestone for the C Kite Festival and for C Mauritius Palmar,” said Olivier de Guardia. “It reflects the spirit of C Resorts: generous, energetic and inherently social, where people come together to share experiences in a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere.”
As luxury travel increasingly shifts towards immersive and community-driven experiences, Mauritius appears keen to position itself not just as a beach destination, but as an active playground for a new generation of global travellers.
