Forecasts › Surf spots for beginners, French Atlantic coast

Surf spots for beginners: Charente-Maritime

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.

Oléron — Vert-Bois

Dolus-d'Oléron · beach break · facing WSW · Level: accessible from beginner

Best between 0.7 and 1.8 m at the break; from 2.5 m it is for experts only.
Tide: best from mid to high tide.
Watch out for: rip currents.
No lifeguard post recorded nearby in OpenStreetMap; ask the town hall.
Right now : Right now: breaking waves around 1.8 m (head high; models 1.4 to 2.5 m), period 11 s, quality good (58/100).

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.

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

Other spots in the area, more technical

La Grande Côte · La Côte Sauvage (La Coubre) · Grand-Village · Les Huttes · Les Grenettes

By area

Basque Country · Landes · Gironde · Charente-Maritime · Vendée · Brittany

Surf forecast Charente-Maritime today — 6 spots compared