Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Beach breakBeginner
A huge, gentle beach sheltered by the Île d'Yeu: perfect for learning.
Most of the coast faces west or south-west, so it works with a west or north-west swell and an easterly wind. The Île d'Yeu blocks part of the swell reaching Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Saint-Gilles, which are softer; to the south, La Tranche-sur-Mer faces south and is the refuge on stormy days. Water is 11–12 °C in winter and around 19–20 °C in summer.
Map
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
ReefIntermediate
A long left over rock at the Corniche de Sion, ideal for longboarding.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Beach breakBeginner
Saint-Gilles' Grande Plage: soft-breaking waves, good for longboarding and learning.
Brétignolles-sur-Mer
ReefExpert
Vendée's most famous wave: powerful rights and lefts over rock slabs.
Brem-sur-Mer / Les Sables-d'Olonne
Beach breakAll levels
A wild beach that picks up swell better than its neighbours.
Les Sables-d'Olonne
Beach breakIntermediate
A beach in a protected natural area, with the best peak over a small rock shelf.
Les Sables-d'Olonne
ReefAll levels
The Les Sables-d'Olonne spot: a rock peak by the jetty, better than the city beach.
Longeville-sur-Mer
Beach breakAll levels
A powerful beach break, similar to Landes, among pine forests and dunes.
Longeville-sur-Mer
Beach breakIntermediate
Longeville's most powerful peak, very busy when it works.
La Tranche-sur-Mer
Point breakAll levels
Southern Vendée's long right: it only works in storms, and it handles west wind.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Jean-de-Monts | Beach break | Beginner | W, SW | SE, E | All tides |
| Sion | Reef | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | S, SE, E | Mid to high |
| Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie | Beach break | Beginner | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid to high |
| La Sauzaie | Reef | Expert | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid to high |
| La Gachère | Beach break | All levels | W, SW, NW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| L'Aubraie | Beach break | Intermediate | W, SW | E, NE | High |
| Tanchet | Reef | All levels | W, NW, SW | NE, E, N | Low |
| Les Conches | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, NE, SE | All tides |
| Bud Bud | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, NE | Mid to high |
| La Tranche-sur-Mer | Point break | All levels | W, NW | N, NW, W | 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 Vendée
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.