Surf spots in Vendée

Surfing is a sport that can be practiced in all seasons. It is a complete sporting activity that allows you to enjoy the pleasures of the sea, with the magnificent Vendée “Côte de Lumière” as a backdrop.

Surfing combines balance, flexibility and brings harmonious body building. It is a real dance in the waves, an encounter with the ocean, which thrills surfers! But it is also a state of mind and a culture. The Vendée coastline holds many treasures between its reefs, the rocky and steep areas of the coast and its beach breaks and beautiful fine sandy beaches. It is an ideal setting for all board sports and its wild character is very popular with surfers.

The Vendée Guide has taken you on a tour of the best surfing spots in Vendée.

Photos of the article © Vendée Guide unless otherwise stated

The Large Beach of Les Sables d'Olonne

The Grande Plage des Sables d'Olonne is one of the must-see surfing spots in Vendée. Its seaside resort atmosphere is particularly pleasant. The setting is super nice, with its old-fashioned beach huts. Surfing conditions are better at high tide. In season, it is a very busy beach. Therefore, you have to be more careful with swimmers. You can rent equipment and take lessons at the Bahia Surf Shop or at the surf school in Les Sables d'Olonne Surfzone on the Promenade Georges Clémenceau.

Yes, when the sea is calm, you can surf on the main beach, but that day, it was not possible!

The Dunes beach of Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Dunes Beach is a good spot for beginners. The waves are easy to surf, the coastline is not dangerous, and there is no need to worry too much about the tides. Two large parking lots are available at each of the beach access roads. Two schools welcome you upon arrival at the dune: the Atlantic Lézard Surf School and Keep Cool Surfing.

Surfing on the beach of Bretignolles-sur-mer

The large beach at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

On the Grande Plage in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, you have access to all the comfort facilities, sports clubs, shops and services usual in seaside towns, and in particular to the Semvie Nautisme surf school. For experienced surfers, Sauzaie beach, at the end of the main beach, is more suitable.

The beaches of Longeville-sur-Mer

Conches Beach allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of this long dune, while benefiting from all the services of the city: restaurants, shops, large parking lot at the entrance to the beach... On a technical level, it offers beautiful waves, especially at high tide. The Longeville Surf Club offers you to learn surfing, but also bodyboarding. Next door, on Rocher Beach you can surf at low tide as well as high tide. On site, there is the Esprit Surf school.

The Conches beach in Longeville-sur-Mer (photo by © Longeville-sur-Mer Town Hall)

Terrière beach in La-Tranche-sur-Mer

Just below Les Conches, La Terrière beach is a family-friendly spot, ideal for starting to surf. The parking lot, located just opposite, is very convenient for keeping all your belongings close at hand. Swimming is supervised there in season, which is reassuring when you're starting out, but it can be very busy. You can also practice all sorts of other sports there. There are two schools directly on the beach: the Lobstore Surf School and the Koa Surf School.

Tranche-sur-Mer Beach

The spots of the island of Yeu

The island of Yeu is renowned for its wild coastline and the setting is truly idyllic for surfing. However, there are no schools or rental agencies. The beaches allow beginners to practice safely. The rocky areas and beautiful coves will satisfy more experienced surfers, who will enjoy themselves in a natural and wild environment.

When conditions permit, you can surf on the island of Yeu, but you have to be careful of the rocky areas.

Barbâtre beach on Noirmoutier Island

On Barbâtre Beach, you can surf at low tide. As on the island of Yeu, there are no schools or other services nearby. This is a great spot for your autumn outings, where the waves are more interesting.

The ledge between Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

The long ledge that stretches from Saint-Jean-de-Monts to Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is a beach break. It is a spot that ends on a sandbank on the beaches of Golf, Demoiselles and Salins. For those in the know, the peak is near the Estacade. In Saint-Jean-de-Monts, the Ocean Surf Club organizes discovery sessions and annual courses.

The beaches along the Corniche

There are many other spots in Vendée that we invite you to discover. We hope you enjoy the beach breaks, point breaks, and reefs of Vendée !

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