Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille)
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Collioure Bay is an exposed Mediterranean reef break where surfable waves are infrequent—reported as roughly 5 days per year and only during strong East or Southeast storm conditions. The bottom is a mix of reef (including sharp rocks/coral) with some sand, and the break is associated with breakwater/jetty-like wave behavior. When the swell lines up, the spot can start working below about 1 m and hold up to around 2.5 m+ / 8 ft+, with waves generally short on normal days and longer rides possible when conditions are well organized. Wave quality is described as good, and the wave shape is reported as mixed/peeling depending on the day, with best performance occurring when wind and swell orientation match. Wind is highly condition-dependent. West winds are associated with cleaner offshore conditions, while East winds bring the swell but can add chop; one source also notes the spot’s windy/gusty nature. In summer, a light afternoon sea breeze is commonly reported, but it is generally not sufficient for surfing on its own. Safety planning is essential at this spot. The lineup contains rocks/reef/coral and additional nearshore hazards such as concrete jetties and limited exit points. Currents can become strong during storms, lifeguards are seasonal, and surfing is subject to possible restrictions during peak summer swimming hours—so plan around access, crowd swimmers, and the rapid changeability of storm swell.
- Rare, storm-driven surfing window (often around two periods per year).
- Exposed reef break with a scenic urban coastal setting.
- Moderate wave quality when it breaks; can reach ~2.5 m+ on big events.
- High-visibility, scenic Mediterranean reef break when conditions align.
- Working seasons are clearly defined (spring and autumn storm windows).
- Spot rarely breaks (about 5 days/year), so sessions depend on the right storm swell timing.
- Reef/rocks and other hazards near shore; currents can be strong during storms.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, S, SE
- Offshore directions
- W
- No-go directions
- N, NNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal wind type is reported by one provider; another provider describes winds as Tramontane/Marin-driven with south–southeast winds associated with the working conditions.
- Reliability
- rare
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts — Gustiness is reported, including heavy gusts.
- Best Months
- March, April, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- The bay is heavily sheltered from the North and Northwest Tramontane wind by surrounding hills.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Reef — Beach composition is reported as reef by one provider, while another describes pebble beaches within the bay; bottom is reef/mixed with sand.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Swell is described as huge by one provider; another describes it as working from under 1 m and holding up to about 2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Small — Launch is from small pebble beaches within the bay, typically in front of the castle or the church.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty is described as moderate due to rocky areas and limited launching space.
Through the year
Empty to few surfers in the water; the town is extremely crowded with tourists in July and August.
Most storms occur between October and March; big storms are most emphasized in September–October and March–April for surfing.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Windsurfing is reported as very rare within the bay itself due to gusty offshore winds and limited launching space, with Tramontane blowing strongly offshore and becoming turbulent.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Not well-suited due to a small launch area and rocky bottom hazards near shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness is described as limited.
- Min Depth
- 2.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–5 m²
Collioure Bay is a rare, exposed reef break that only produces surfable waves a few times per year, typically during strong East or Southeast storm conditions. When it works, it is scenic and can offer a decent wall as swell organizes over the reef/sand bottom.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, E
- Swell Height
- 0.3–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides are reported as working.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break with limited shelter; also described as semi-sheltered in the bay depending on conditions.
- Wind Effect
- West winds provide cleaner offshore conditions; East winds bring the swell but can be choppy. West winds are also described as best for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to around 2.5 m+ / 8 ft+ and can handle up to about 2.5 m before closing out; rarely works (about 5 days/year).
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Power is described as fun with moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Wave shape is described as mixed by one provider; peeling is also specifically described by another.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Waves are described as peeling with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride lengths are generally short, with longer sessions possible on better days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal days are short (<50 m); better days can reach about 50–150 m, with another source describing roughly 40–120 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) in the full forecast view.
Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–13 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- NW320°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2413 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.2 m3s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- reef
- coral
- concrete jetties
- limited exit points
- strong currents during storms
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are described as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is reported as limited; sea rescue is described as managed by SNSM with nearby stations.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Perpignan; nearest major hospital mentioned regionally is Centre Hospitalier de Perpignan. Primary emergency number 112; medical 15, police 17, fire 18 (France).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No specific localism friction is reported for the spot.
Rules of the spot
Be mindful of swimmers in designated beach areas during the summer season; timing matters because the swell can drop quickly.
- Water sports may be restricted during peak summer swimming hours.
- Take care of rocks in the lineup.
- Watch out for rocks near the church of Notre-Dame-des-Anges.
- Timing is everything; the swell can drop quickly after arriving.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Perpignan
- Nearest Town
- Collioure
- Nearest Airport
- Perpignan-Rivesaltes Airport (PGF)
- Parking
- Find a place for car along the road from Perpignan to Collioure; parking is extremely limited and expensive in the town center, especially during summer—one suggested option is Parking du Cap Dourat with a shuttle if necessary.
- Public Transport
- Connected via the LiO regional bus network and has its own train station on the TER Occitanie line.
- Access
- Get road from Perpignan to Collioure (Argelges road) and find a place for car; instant access (<5 min walking distance) from within the town area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and boutique guest houses are available within walking distance in the town.
- Food & Drink
- Dozens of restaurants and cafes line the bay, offering local Catalan cuisine.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rentals in Collioure; rentals are available in nearby Argelès-sur-Mer.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Collioure is described as a world-renowned art destination tied to Fauvism, blending medieval history with a Mediterranean lifestyle.
A massive fortress originally built by the Kings of Majorca, offering panoramic views of the coast.
A 17th-century church known for its iconic bell tower that once served as a lighthouse.
A scenic coastal path connecting towns of the Côte Vermeille through rocky cliffs and vineyards.
Numerous terrace restaurants specializing in fresh seafood and the world-famous Collioure anchovies.
Wide sandy beaches with family facilities located just north of the rocky bay area.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille)?
The best overall months at Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) are March, April, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille)?
Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) works with W, S, SE winds. Offshore directions are W. No-go directions are N, NNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille): Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–5 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) suitable for?
Collioure Bay (Côte Vermeille) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.