La Tremblade (Côte Sauvage)
Beach breakIntermediate
The best-known access to the Côte Sauvage, between pine forests and dunes.
There are waves for almost any wind if you move around: the Côte Sauvage and Oléron's west coast work with an easterly wind; Royan and Saint-Palais, sheltered in the estuary, wake up when everything else is too big; and the islands' northern tips, with rock shelves, need a south-easterly. The Côte Sauvage currents are among the most dangerous on the French Atlantic coast: don't surf alone.
Map
Les Mathes
Beach breakIntermediate
By La Coubre lighthouse: powerful banks that hold decent size.
Saint-Palais-sur-Mer
Beach breakIntermediate
The alternative when the Côte Sauvage closes out: lefts towards the estuary that sometimes barrel.
Royan
Beach breakAll levels
Royan's city cove: it only works in big storms, and then it's easy and pleasant.
Dolus-d'Oléron (Île d'Oléron)
Beach breakAll levels
Oléron's surf beach, with Les Allassins 300 m away and always a free peak.
Grand-Village-Plage (Île d'Oléron)
Beach breakAll levels
A long, quiet beach in south-west Oléron.
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron (Île d'Oléron)
Beach breakIntermediate
Northern Oléron: when it switches on, hollow peaks in very shallow water.
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron (Île d'Oléron)
ReefExpert
Rock shelves below Chassiron lighthouse, at the northern tip of Oléron.
Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré (Île de Ré)
ReefAll levels
The Île de Ré spot: a rock-bottom wave that's great for longboarding.
Les Portes-en-Ré (Île de Ré)
Beach breakAll levels
A quiet beach at the northern end of Ré, surrounded by nature.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pointe Espagnole | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, NE | Low to mid |
| La Coubre | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, NE | Low to mid |
| La Grande Côte | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, NE, N | Mid |
| Pontaillac | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | N, NE, E | Mid to high |
| Vert Bois | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, NE | Mid to high |
| Grand-Village | Beach break | All levels | W, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Les Huttes | Beach break | Intermediate | NW, W, N | SE, E | Mid to high |
| Chassiron | Reef | Expert | NW, W, SW | SE, E, NE | Low to mid |
| Le Gouyot | Reef | All levels | W, NW, SW | NE, E | Mid |
| Le Lizay | Beach break | All levels | NW, W, N | S, SE | Mid |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 11 °C in winter and 19 °C in late summer.
5/4 hooded wetsuit
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
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5 mm booties
Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
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4/3 wetsuit
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
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Shapers in Charente-Maritime
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.