Maupertus-sur-Mer
Beach breakIntermediate
A cove on the northern Cotentin that has some of the area's best waves when everything else closes out.
The tides are among the biggest in Europe and completely change each spot, so plan your session with the tide table. The Cotentin coast works with an easterly wind; the Pays de Caux with a southerly. The water is cold most of the year (9–10 °C in winter and about 17 °C in summer): a 5/4 wetsuit with booties in winter.
Map
Vauville (La Hague)
Beach breakAll levels
A wide, wild bay in La Hague, almost never crowded.
Siouville-Hague
Beach breakAll levels
The most popular beach around Cherbourg: it almost always works and handles a southerly wind.
Les Pieux
Beach breakAll levels
Better than Siouville and perfect for beginners, with big waves on good days.
Le Rozel
Beach breakIntermediate
For local surfers, the best beach on the Cotentin's west coast.
Carolles
Beach breakAll levels
The surf beach of southern Manche, near Granville and Mont-Saint-Michel.
Le Havre
Beach breakAll levels
Le Havre's city beach, with rights by the groynes.
Étretat
Point breakIntermediate
A left over pebbles below Étretat's famous cliffs.
Yport
Point breakIntermediate
A fishing village between cliffs with a left that only works in storms.
Hautot-sur-Mer (Dieppe)
Beach breakAll levels
The beach of Dieppe's surfers and many of Paris's.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anse du Brick | Beach break | Intermediate | N, NW, W | S, SE, SW | Low to mid |
| Vauville | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE, NE | Around high tide |
| Siouville | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | SE, E, S | All tides |
| Sciotot | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Le Rozel | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid |
| Carolles | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE, NE | Mid to high |
| Le Havre | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid to high |
| Étretat | Point break | Intermediate | NW, N, W | S, SE, SW | Low to mid |
| Yport | Point break | Intermediate | NW, N, W | S, SW | Low to mid |
| Pourville | Beach break | All levels | NW, W, N | S, SW, SE | Low to 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 9 °C in winter and 17 °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 Normandy
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.