Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) is an exposed Mediterranean reef break that “does not work very often.” It tends to fire mainly in autumn and winter, and riders need the right alignment of swell and reef wrap—best on solid southwest swells. The wave is primarily described as a powerful right-hand reef break. When conditions are correct, it can form peeling sections with good overall quality, and on better days it can produce notably long rides (with a cited good-day range of roughly 50–100 meters). Larger swells may be handled up to around the low-3-meter scale before the wave closes out. Wind exposure is generally associated with north (and sometimes northeast/east) directions, and offshore flow from the north and northeast is noted for grooming the wave faces. Winds are also described as having low reliability overall, with moderate gustiness, and there can be turbulence from high ground to the north. Safety is the top constraint at Cap Rousset: rocks and sea urchins are the main hazards, and the entry and exit are technical due to the rocky reef. Booties are strongly recommended, and it’s advised to wait for a lull before entering to reduce the chance of being pushed onto the rocks. Rescue/lifeguard presence is indicated as none/limited, so competent local preparation and cautious timing are important.
- Exposed reef break with powerful right-hand waves when a solid southwest swell aligns.
- Works mainly in autumn and winter; fickle conditions and strong dependence on swell timing.
- Offshore north/northeast winds can groom the faces.
- High-quality, powerful right-hand reef waves when the swell wraps correctly.
- Offshore winds from the north/northeast can groom wave faces effectively.
- Seasonal reliability for swell in autumn/winter.
- Spot is fickle and works infrequently—depends heavily on southwest swell timing/season.
- Technical reef entry/exit with sharp rocks and sea urchins; conditions can include strong currents on heavier swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — North to east winds; sometimes behaves like Mistral-driven flow with additional easterly component.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- High ground to the north can create some turbulence
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef/rocky substrate; rocks/reef hazards at waterline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves typical for the break’s working window.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky shoreline with limited space for entry.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Technical rocky launch and limited entry space.
Through the year
Highest density in autumn/winter during swell events; quiet in summer due to lack of waves.
October and November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Occasionally used by experienced windsurfers during strong Mistral conditions; rocky launch and proximity to the reef make it technical.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–5.5 m²
Generally not recommended due to shallow rocky reef and difficult entry; possible only for experts during high tide when launching from nearby sandy areas.
- Foil Friendly
- No — Not foil-friendly due to shallow rocky reef conditions.
Exposed Mediterranean reef break that does not work very often. Best on solid southwest swells that align with the bay/reef wrap, producing a right-hand reef wave with good quality when the swell is right.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best noted on mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef with limited natural shelter; exposed to swell and wind alignment.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from the north and northeast groom the faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells up to around 3 meters before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful reef sections when the swell wraps in.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often peeling sections; can occasionally become hollow on the right setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Ridges peel at a medium rate when conditions align.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically medium-length rides; good days can extend considerably.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Good days can produce rides of about 50 to 100 meters; a typical figure cited is around 75 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) in the full forecast view.
Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–19 ktsGusts 30 kts
- Direction
- NW304°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.5 m4s period
- Temperature
- 12–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 30 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.1–1.5 m with a period of about 4s. 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
- Rocks
- Sharp reef
- Sea urchins
- Technical rocky entry and exit
- Possible moderate currents during heavy southwest swells
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates rescue is limited, coordinated by nearby SNSM coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 112; maritime emergencies managed by local services with 196 noted for maritime reporting. Medical via 15; police 17; fire 18.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local surfers who frequent the spot.
- Works infrequently—check swell direction (southwest) and season (autumn/winter) before visiting.
- Booties are highly recommended to navigate the rocky entry.
- Wait for the lull to enter the water to avoid being pushed onto the rocks.
- Getting in and out is technical on the reef; approach with caution.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Marseille
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer
- Nearest Airport
- Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) ~50–65 km away
- Parking
- Public parking available at Port de la Madrague or Les Lecques beach, followed by a walk.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via TER rail with a station at Saint-Cyr-Les Lecques-La Cadière and local bus networks
- Access
- Shore access via coastal path near Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer; access also described via coastal path from the nearby port or beach parking areas.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various hotels and seasonal rentals available in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and La Ciotat.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars located near Port de la Madrague.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops for general surfing gear are available in the center of Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer; wider regional context also notes windsurfing/wingfoiling rental centers around the Les Lecques area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A large water park popular with families visiting the region.
Hills around Bandol are home to the AOC Bandol wine region, known for rosé and red wines.
An archaeological museum built over the remains of a Roman villa.
A coastal hiking path with views of cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation.
A waterfront strip with terraces, seafood restaurants, and bars.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer)?
The best overall months at Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) are October, November, December, January, February, March, April, September. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer)?
Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE, E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer): Windsurfing: 4–5.5 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) suitable for?
Cap Rousset (Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Expert · Wingfoiling: Expert · Surfing: Advanced to Expert.