Forecasts › Surf spots for beginners, French Atlantic coast

Surf spots for beginners: Vendée

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.

Bud Bud

Longeville-sur-Mer · beach break · facing SW · 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 1.5 m (shoulder to head high; models 1.0 to 2.1 m), period 11 s, quality good (74/100).

Les Sables-d'Olonne — Tanchet

Les Sables-d'Olonne · beach break · facing SW · Level: accessible from beginner

Best between 0.6 and 1.5 m at the break; from 2.2 m it is for experts only.
Tide: best from mid to high tide.
Watch out for: rocks.
No lifeguard post recorded nearby in OpenStreetMap; ask the town hall.
Right now : Right now: breaking waves around 1.4 m (shoulder high; models 1.0 to 1.9 m), period 11 s, quality good (70/100).

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie · beach break · facing SW · Level: accessible from beginner

Best between 0.6 and 1.6 m at the break; from 2.4 m it is for experts only.
Tide: best from mid to high tide.
Watch out for: jetty.
Lifeguard post about 367 m away, per OpenStreetMap; check opening periods with the town hall.
Right now : Right now: breaking waves around 1.1 m (chest high; models 0.7 to 1.6 m), period 11 s, quality good (74/100).

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 Terrière · Sauveterre · Les Dunes · La Sauzaie

By area

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

Surf forecast Vendée today — 7 spots compared