Vert Bois
Oléron's surf beach, with Les Allassins 300 m away and always a free peak.
Vert Bois is the best-known spot on the Île d'Oléron, on its west coast. About 300 m to the left is Les Allassins, which is usually a little bigger, so even when it's busy there are waves to go around.
It works with a west swell and an easterly wind, at mid or high tide.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 1–2.5 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish; a funboard or longboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Vert Bois
The water is around 11 °C in winter and 19 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
An open vibe, with lots of people in season.
Surfing style
Beach break for everyone.
Hazards
Rip currents.
Map
Shapers near Vert Bois
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Grand-Village-Plage (Île d'Oléron)
A long, quiet beach in south-west Oléron.
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron (Île d'Oléron)
Northern Oléron: when it switches on, hollow peaks in very shallow water.
La Tremblade (Côte Sauvage)
The best-known access to the Côte Sauvage, between pine forests and dunes.
Saint-Denis-d'Oléron (Île d'Oléron)
Rock shelves below Chassiron lighthouse, at the northern tip of Oléron.
All spots in Charente-Maritime →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.