Surf spots for beginners
The spots below are rated "accessible from beginner level" in our reference data: sandy beaches with generally gentle waves. Nothing replaces a lesson and the lifeguards' eyes.
How they are chosen
Minimum level "beginner" in the spot reference, moderate ideal size, known hazards shown next to each spot. These parameters are editorial and not validated locally: always check on site.
Basque Country
Hendaye — Grande Plage · Côte des Basques
Landes
Capbreton — Le Santocha · Vieux-Boucau · Moliets · Mimizan-Plage · Biscarrosse-Plage
Gironde
Le Porge Océan · Lacanau Océan · Carcans-Plage · Hourtin-Plage · Montalivet · Soulac-sur-Mer
Charente-Maritime
Vendée
Bud Bud · Les Sables-d'Olonne — Tanchet · Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Brittany
Sainte-Barbe · Guidel-Plages · La Torche · Le Dossen
Safety for a first session
Surf in the supervised area, between the flags, when posts are open; look for rip channels before going in; take a first lesson with a supervised surf school and never go out alone when the tide is rising.
Read before getting in the water : Water safety · Spotting rip channels · How to read a surf forecast
Read next
- Water safety: rip channels, flags, emergency numbers
- How to read a surf forecast
- Which spot for which wind
- Gentle waves today
- Understanding swell, period and direction
- Spotting and avoiding rip channels (baïnes)
- Surfing in Lacanau
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