Bex d'Andaine
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bex d'Andaine is a flat-water kitesurfing area in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, but it is strongly tide-dependent. The riding surface is shallow and can look cloudy/brownish because of suspended silt and fine sand, and the seabed includes sand/mudflat zones that can become hazardous if you are not in the correct tidal window. The safest way to use the spot is to plan tightly around high tide. Local notes emphasize that strong tidal currents develop during the rising and falling tides, and that quicksand (sables mouvants) is a key risk area—so riders are advised to ride only shortly before and after high tide and avoid low-tide operation when the water is too far away. Wind is most favorable from the west sector (SW, W, NW). Typical conditions are about 12–25 knots, with moderate reliability. Occasional sea breezes can reinforce NW winds on sunny spring and summer afternoons, but overall the spot remains a frontal/west-driven bay environment. Because the area falls under protected environmental status, kitesurfing is regulated with restricted launch and navigation zones to protect bird nesting areas. Check local signage for seasonal zone updates before launching, and follow safety guidance such as not riding alone and rinsing gear thoroughly after sessions due to very silty water.
- Very large, fast-changing tidal flats that open and close the riding area
- Flat, shallow water for freeride/foil when timed correctly to high tide
- Strong local focus on environmental rules and tidal safety
- Panoramic views of Mont Saint-Michel
- Flat water at the right tide makes it well-suited to freeride (including foil at high tide)
- Stunning bay scenery with views toward Mont Saint-Michel
- Wind is best from the west sector (SW/W/NW) and the bay is generally open with minimal wind shadowing
- Highly tidal mudflat/sandbanks require careful planning around high tide
- Quicksand and strong currents are significant hazards
- Strict environmental regulations and restricted navigation zones
- Offshore/E winds can be dangerous
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, NW
- Offshore directions
- E
- No-go directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Atlantic frontal systems common in the bay; winds best from the west sector (SW/W/NW).
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sand/mudflat (vasière) environment.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — Wave size described as flat.
- Launch
- Medium — Large sandy area available at mid to high tide; at low tide the water recedes several kilometers.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty; long walk and very shallow profile at the wrong tide.
Through the year
Busy on windy weekends in spring and summer; quiet in winter.
Late autumn and winter bring more frequent storms and rain.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat, shallow-water kitesurfing over tidal sandbanks/mudflat that works around high tide; best in the west-sector winds (SW/W/NW). Popular locally for freeride and foil kites in a highly tidal environment with quicksands and current hazards.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible but less frequent because of the long walk to the water and the shallow depth profile.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Good for wingfoiling at high tide when the water is deep enough over the sandbars.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bex d'Andaine in the full forecast view.
Bex d'Andaine wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–25 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- SW229°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2525 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bex d'Andaine is forecast for daytime winds of 2–25 kts, peaking around 25 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Currents
- Quicksand (sables mouvants)
- Rapidly rising tide
- Offshore wind (dangerous in the bay)
- Offshore wind (dangerous in the bay)
- Oyster beds in the vicinity
- Driftwood
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability is not directly confirmed for the spot; regional maritime rescue is coordinated nearby but can depend on tide-restricted access.
- Emergency Info
- Cross Jobourg (Coast Guard) is the primary contact for the region. General emergency: 112; maritime emergency: 196.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is tolerated but regulated to protect the bird sanctuary. There is a specific zone for launch and navigation (launch/ride only to the west of the slipway/“cale”); check local panels for updated seasonal zones.
- Natura 2000 site
- Prohibited zones in bird nesting areas
- Navigation forbidden at low tide (water too far)
- Only ride 2 hours before to 2 hours after high tide.
- Never kite alone due to quicksand and current risks.
- Rinse gear thoroughly as the water is very silty.
- Navigation is forbidden at low tide (water too far).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Genêts
- Nearest Town
- Avranches
- Nearest Airport
- Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS) (~85 km) and Caen-Carpiquet (CFR) (~100 km).
- Parking
- Large parking lot available at the end of the road near the beach access.
- Public Transport
- Primarily accessible by car; regional TER trains serve Avranches, with local bus connections (Nomad) reaching nearby villages like Genêts.
- Access
- Get to Avranches via N175 and then drive west on D911 to Genets and further west to Bex d'Andaine.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Gîtes and small hotels are available in Genêts and Avranches.
- Food & Drink
- A small snack bar/restaurant is usually open seasonally at the parking lot.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through mobile kite schools operating along this stretch of coast.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The riding area is set within a dramatic tidal bay where many visitors combine wind sport sessions with bay exploration and local coastal sightseeing.
UNESCO World Heritage site visible across the bay; reachable within a short drive.
Museum dedicated to the manuscripts of Mont Saint-Michel.
Guided crossings of the bay on foot during low tide to experience the quicksand and ecosystem.
Reptile park featuring crocodiles, turtles, and lizards near the base of Mont.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bex d'Andaine?
The best overall months at Bex d'Andaine are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Bex d'Andaine?
Bex d'Andaine works with SW, W, NW winds. Offshore directions are E. No-go directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bex d'Andaine?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bex d'Andaine: Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Bex d'Andaine suitable for?
Bex d'Andaine suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.