L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) is an exposed sandy beach break on the Atlantic coast, offering regular, well-distributed waves that can include both lefts and rights. The spot is widely described as good for surf quality, with a consistent peeling wave shape when swell arrives. Best conditions are typically described around mid-tide (often also mid-to-high) on a rising tide cycle. Working swell is commonly noted to start around 1.5–2.0 meters, with the spot continuing to hold into larger sizes—though very large swells over roughly 3 meters may close out. Wind-wise, offshore/grooming conditions are associated with east to north-east directions, and March is repeatedly highlighted as a peak month. Safety considerations are important at this launch: man-made dangers such as buoys are reported, along with shorebreak. Rocks may be visible at low tide, and there are notes about occasional driftwood/tidal debris after storms. During larger swells, rip currents and tidal drift are also mentioned, and the site is described as not ideal for absolute beginners due to onshore effects and shorebreak. In terms of access and crowding, it’s described as easy to reach with parking close to the beach and typically empty on weekdays (with few surfers on weekends). The spot is also described as well integrated with local amenities, supporting convenient sessions and quicker logistics for a surf-focused trip. Wetsuit guidance commonly points to spring wetsuit use (with neoprene hood, gloves, and boots recommended for colder months).
- Emblematic, regular beach-break surfing
- Working swell often starts around 1.5–2.0 meters and can hold into larger sizes (with possible close-outs on very large swells)
- Offshore/grooming winds associated with East to North-East directions
- Easy walking access with parking nearby
- Rarely crowded year-round (empty weekdays, few on weekends)
- Consistent, regular beach-break waves with a good left/right mix.
- Long, rideable waves (often 50–150 meters on good days reported).
- Accessible location with parking nearby; commonly described as rarely crowded.
- Onshore conditions and shorebreak can make it less suitable for beginners.
- Buoys and rocks at low tide are reported hazards; check conditions and tide.
- Rip currents/tidal drift are noted risks during larger conditions; large swells can close out.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, SE, NE, NNE
- Offshore directions
- E, ENE, NE
- No-go directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Wind described as gradient in providers; optimal offshore/effective directions discussed for surfing conditions.
- Reliability
- Moderate (regional reliability); March has mixed clean vs blown-out odds.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Described as light-gusts in wind conditions.
- Best Months
- March
- Shadow Zones
- Minimal obstacles due to the wide, open coastline.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Providers disagree on wave size descriptors; one source describes huge surf generally, while another describes a typical medium wave size—treat as size-variable by swell/tide.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as chop; another source references clapot at low tide.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space for preparing equipment; also described as flat sandy beach with instant access.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; busier on weekends and during school holidays in summer.
Late autumn and winter often see the most significant storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible for kitesurfing but the area is frequently used by surfers; most kiters prefer a designated zone just to the south (separate from this spot’s surfing focus).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Suitable for freeride and bump-and-jump sessions on windy days with cross-shore conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Sandy bottom and moderate waves make it decent for wingfoiling, though water can be shallow at very low tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly is stated.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beach break with consistent surf and a mix of lefts and rights.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as best on mid and high on a rising tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beach break with limited shelter from swell; wind and shorebreak can be more noticeable.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore winds from east-northeast; east, south-east, and north-east winds provide clean, groomed offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells over 3 meters; works best on moderate Atlantic swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Providers differ on power descriptors; one source describes moderate power, while another describes powerless/soft overall—use the softer expectation with this spot’s peel/break consistency.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — One provider reports rides between 50 and 150 meters on good days; another describes long, easy-to-learn waves.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves roll long and are easy for learning; typical good-day rides are commonly reported around 50 to 150 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) in the full forecast view.
L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–24 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- WSW240°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2424 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–24 kts, peaking around 24 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.2–0.8 m with a period of about 8s. 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
- Man-made dangers (buoys)
- Shorebreak
- Rocks visible at low tide
- Rip currents during large swells
- Tidal drift
- Occasional driftwood/tidal debris
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguarded during summer months (regional baseline); also described as seasonal for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited (regional baseline).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is located in Saint-Nazaire.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources indicate no special localism constraints.
Rules of the spot
Respect seasonal swimming zones and local beach signage during July and August; respect swimming zones and local beach signage during summer months.
- Seasonal zones for swimmers during July and August
- Best surfed on a rising tide
- Avoid dead low or high tide as it can get too shallow or fat
- Check for seaweed or debris after heavy storms
- Not recommended for beginners due to onshore conditions and shorebreak
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Brevin-les-Pins
- Parking
- Free public parking is available near Plage de l'Ermitage; parking available near the beach.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Aleop bus network from Saint-Nazaire and Nantes; Saint-Nazaire served by TGV trains from Paris (often with connections).
- Access
- Instant access (< 5 min walking distance); also described as reachable via D213 and local coastal roads, with beach a short walk from parking areas.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various campsites, holiday rentals, and small hotels available in Saint-Brevin-les-Pins.
- Food & Drink
- Local cafes and restaurants are within walking distance of beach access points.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through shops in the main center of Saint-Brevin-les-Pins; gear repair offered by local shops.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Local surf and kite shops in town provide basic repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin)?
The best overall months at L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) are March, April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are March.
Which wind directions work at L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin)?
L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) works with E, ENE, SE, NE, NNE winds. Offshore directions are E, ENE, NE. No-go directions are S.
What equipment sizes are recommended at L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin)?
Recommended equipment sizes at L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) suitable for?
L’Ermitage (Saint-Brevin) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.