La Chaise (Grande Terre)
- Shortboard, Bodyboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Chaise is an exposed reef break in the Grande Terre area with fairly consistent surf overall, though summer tends to be mostly flat. It breaks over a shallow, rock/reef bottom and is best when a solid north to northeast swell arrives, which is when the waves reach their potential. The surf is described as technical and advanced, with powerful peeling right-hand waves. Sources emphasize sensitivity to swell direction (north/NNE preferred) and a challenging, reef-based take-off that leaves little margin for error—especially due to hazards directly around the launch area. Safety risks are a central part of the spot profile: rocks/sharp reef and a dense population of sea urchins are repeatedly cited, and conditions can include strong rip currents near the reef pass. Because lifeguards are not present and rescue is reported as limited, the spot is best approached with strong local awareness and appropriate protective gear. Wind/seasonality-wise, September is highlighted as the best month for the spot’s surf calendar profile. Trade-wind conditions during the winter period can also be reinforced; however, offshore/onshore alignment matters for surf cleanliness, with Northeast trades potentially blowing cross-onshore. Prepare for heavy, harder-to-paddle-out conditions as swell size increases, and use protective footwear to reduce the risk of urchin-related injuries.
- Exposed reef break over shallow rock/reef
- Best swell alignment: North to Northeast
- Warm water year-round (reported ~26–29°C depending on month)
- Key hazards: rocks and sea urchins
- Generally fairly consistent surf for a reef break.
- Works best with north to northeast swell and can produce powerful, peeling right-hand waves.
- Water temperatures are warm year-round; reef-entry launch is possible but requires care.
- Exposed reef break with sharp underwater hazards (rocks and sea urchins).
- Very technical/advanced take-off and paddle-out conditions.
- Summer often mostly flat; best potential depends on the right swell alignment.
- Can be very heavy on larger swells; currents/rips can be strong near the reef.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Wind Range
- 12–22 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade winds (Alizés) from the East to East-North-East; seasonally reinforced during winter.
- Reliability
- 51% monthly blown
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady trade-wind character reported.
- Best Months
- September
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Dir: E, ENE · Daytime heating under clearer skies can reinforce the trade winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Reef — Reef and rocky shoreline composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium waves reported; can become heavy on larger swells.
- Launch
- Small — Reef entry over rocks; technical take-off zone.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty reported as moderate; reef entry requires care.
Through the year
Can be busy with locals on weekends and during the winter holiday season.
June to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with fairly consistent surf, but summer can be mostly flat. Best results require solid north to northeast swell; waves are technical due to shallow reef and dense urchins.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef environment.
- Wind Effect
- Sensitive to prevailing Northeast trades, which can blow cross-onshore; cleaner offshore conditions may require more southerly/west-southwest wind setups (as reported for regional context).
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold significant size but becomes very heavy and difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Generally good quality when swell/wind align.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reef break described as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Reported peeling right-hand waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported medium peeling.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Sections for turns; occasionally a faster pocket.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically offers sections for turns and occasionally a faster pocket.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Chaise (Grande Terre) in the full forecast view.
La Chaise (Grande Terre) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–16 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE105°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–1.7 m8s period
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Chaise (Grande Terre) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 1.1–1.7 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
- Rocks
- Sharp coral reef / rocky bottom
- Sea urchins
- Strong rip currents near the reef pass
- Dense urchin population around the take-off area
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue services coordinated by SNSM with stations in Saint-François and Pointe-à-Pitre.
- Emergency Info
- 112. Nearest major medical facility reported as University Hospital of Pointe-à-Pitre (CHU de la Guadeloupe).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism described as mild to moderate, with limited take-off space.
Rules of the spot
Advanced surfers only. Take care around the shallow reef/take-off zone and respect the local lineup due to limited room at the launch.
- Booties are highly recommended due to the dense population of sea urchins.
- Respect the local lineup as the take-off zone is relatively small.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pointe-à·¹itre
- Nearest Town
- Grande Terre
- Nearest Airport
- Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP)
- Parking
- Limited parking along the road or in nearby residential areas (reported near Le Moule area).
- Public Transport
- Public bus networks exist but are infrequent and not gear-friendly; car rental is the standard requirement
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and apartments in Le Moule.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and cafes within a 5-minute drive in Le Moule.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in the center of Le Moule; additional equipment rental offered by regional schools/centers.
- Gear Storage
- Several centers and surf schools offer secure gear storage in the Saint-François marina area.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs available locally in Saint-François; major repairs may require traveling to Pointe-à-Pitre.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Guadeloupe’s windward Grande Terre coast combines reef/rocky shorelines with French-Caribbean culture and accessible tourist infrastructure in nearby towns.
Scenic peninsula with dramatic rock formations and panoramic Atlantic views.
Boat excursions to the protected nature reserve of Petite Terre for snorkeling with sharks and turtles.
Calm, shallow beach ideal for families near Sainte-Anne.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at La Chaise (Grande Terre)?
The best overall months at La Chaise (Grande Terre) are September.
Which wind directions work at La Chaise (Grande Terre)?
La Chaise (Grande Terre) works with N winds.
What skill level is La Chaise (Grande Terre) suitable for?
La Chaise (Grande Terre) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.