Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Saint-Gilles' Grande Plage: soft-breaking waves, good for longboarding and learning.
Saint-Gilles' Grande Plage has waves that tend to break softly, making it one of the best beaches in the area for beginners and longboarders. The most skilled locals are usually at the more demanding spots, so there's little pressure in the water.
Above 1.5–2 m things change and the shore break can be very rough.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE, NE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 0.5–1.5 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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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 longboard or minimalibu. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
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 AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
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
A relaxed vibe with no pressure.
Surfing style
Soft waves for longboarding.
Hazards
Shore break in big swell.
Map
Shapers near Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
A long left over rock at the Corniche de Sion, ideal for longboarding.
Brétignolles-sur-Mer
Vendée's most famous wave: powerful rights and lefts over rock slabs.
Saint-Jean-de-Monts
A huge, gentle beach sheltered by the Île d'Yeu: perfect for learning.
Brem-sur-Mer / Les Sables-d'Olonne
A wild beach that picks up swell better than its neighbours.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.