La Marina 1 (Leucate)

La Marina 1 (in front of the Marina Baie des Anges complex) is an exposed Mediterranean reef break known for right-hand waves breaking over a rocky reef/stone bottom. It tends to work best with an East to Southeast swell and is strongly improved by west or northwest winds that blow offshore and groom the wave face. The spot is described as producing long, peeling waves when conditions line up, with typical good-day rides reported as roughly 50–100 meters. When the swell is too strong, it can lose cleanliness and turn messy even though it holds size. Wave quality is generally described as good under the best setups. Safety is a major factor: the break has rocks and submerged structures, and there are pollution hazards—especially after heavy rain. Local guidance specifically warns to avoid the water for 24–48 hours after heavy rainfall due to pollution from the Loup river, and to watch for rocks at low tide. Crowding is also common. The spot is often busy, and weekend winter swells are noted as the highest-crowd periods. Lifeguards are described as seasonal in the wider area, so riders should plan conservatively and rely on standard in-water etiquette while respecting local lineup priorities.