La Mondrée (Fermanville)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
La Mondrée (near Fermanville) is an exposed sandy beach break with generally clean water and short, punchy waves. Surf is described as sometimes working (not every session), but when it comes together it can produce good-quality peaks with both left and right directions. For timing, sources emphasize low tide: the spot is reported to be best on low tide, with an additional note that it works well on a rising tide after starting from low water. Swell around 1.0–1.5 m (starting range) up to roughly 2 m+ is commonly referenced, and the break tends to hold size until it starts closing out on larger sets. Wind and water conditions are also relevant for riders beyond surfing. Northeasterly flows are highlighted as the best wind for kitesurfing, with a versatile mix of flat-to-choppy water and small to medium wave potential. Wingfoiling can be suitable, but care is needed around reef/submerged-rock areas and especially at lower tides (safer from mid to high tide). Safety is a key theme: shore break can be significant, particularly at high tide, and reef/submerged rocks are reported near the edges of the beach. Tidal currents are also noted as moderate. Seasonal rules may apply (for example, horse circulation restrictions and possible kite-launch limitations during peak summer hours), and lifeguard presence is reported as seasonal.
- Exposed sandy beach break with both left and right peaks
- Often short rides (< 50 m) when waves show
- NE winds highlighted for kitesurfing
- Works best around low tide and can improve on a rising tide
- Clean water reported.
- Good wave quality and fun, short rides when swell aligns.
- Versatile conditions for multiple wind-driven sports (kitesurfing/wingfoiling) depending on wind and tide.
- Works only sometimes; in particular summer can be flat.
- Exposed shorebreak risk, especially at high tide.
- Reef/submerged-rock hazards near the edges of the beach.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- S, SW, SE
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/Atlantic pressure-driven winds; can be locally reinforced in summer afternoons.
- Reliability
- Moderate; relies on Atlantic depressions and North Sea pressure systems
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness reported as moderate.
- Best Months
- March, April, September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Potential wind shadow near Cap Lévi in certain directions
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Small wave reported in one dataset; another dataset describes medium wave.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with direct access from parking; suitable for self-launch for wind sports.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Reported as easy to access with sandy launch from the parking area.
Through the year
Usually empty to low crowd on weekdays; can become busier on weekends with local riders
Late autumn and winter see frequent Atlantic depressions
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing described as versatile, with Northeasterly winds working well; conditions can be flat-to-choppy with small to medium wave potential. Spot described as best known for NE winds.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Beach suitable for wingfoiling, but reef/submerged-rock hazards and lower-tide depth require care. Foil-friendly conditions reported with safer depth from mid to high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Safe for foiling from mid to high tide
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed Normandy beach break producing left and right peaks; reliability described as sometimes (works once in a while). Most consistent when Atlantic swells wrap around the Cotentin peninsula.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Best tide position reported as low tide only; also noted as best on a rising tide starting from low water.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break.
- Wind Effect
- South, Southwest, and Southeast winds provide more offshore grooming; windier shorebreak risk at high tide.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to around 2 m and more before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power reported as moderate/fun.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed wave shape.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short sections, typically under 50 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 0–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short, punchy waves with fun sections for maneuvers.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for La Mondrée (Fermanville) in the full forecast view.
La Mondrée (Fermanville) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–26 ktsGusts 44 kts
- Direction
- SW235°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2426 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, La Mondrée (Fermanville) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 44 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–3.2 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Reef and submerged rocks (especially towards the edges of the beach)
- Shore break (especially at high tide)
- Moderate tidal currents
- Cold water temperatures in winter
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard presence reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability reported as no at spot level; regional coast rescue coverage exists via nearby SNSM stations (limited for the spot).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect local swimmers and designated zones during the summer months. Seasonal restrictions may apply for kite launching during peak summer beach hours.
- Horse circulation forbidden on Fermanville beaches from 10h to 19h between 1 July and 31 August
- Seasonal restrictions may apply for kite launching during peak summer beach hours
- Prefer navigating at low tide because at higher tide there is often a lot of shore break.
- The surfing peak is located directly in front of the main parking area.
- Works best on a rising tide starting from low water.
- Bonne par ouest, nord/ouest: rather freeride à marée basse ou bump and jump à marée haute (navigate with caution around tide/shorebreak).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fermanville
- Nearest Town
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- Nearest Airport
- Cherbourg-Octeville Airport (CER)
- Parking
- Dedicated parking lot immediately adjacent to the beach and main surf peak.
- Public Transport
- Regional bus service from Cherbourg; local bus service limited; car recommended for gear transport.
- Access
- Parking de la plage (50840 Fermanville), just east of Cap Lévi; from Valognes drive north towards Cap Lévi/Fermanville.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping municipal near the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Local options available in Fermanville town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available via regional nautical centers and schools in the Cherbourg area.
- Gear Storage
- Limited at the spot level; mostly available through local clubs for members (regional note).
- Gear Repair
- Specialized repair shops are in the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin area (regional).
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 La Mondrée (Fermanville)?
The best overall months at La Mondrée (Fermanville) are March, April, May, September, October, November. The best wind months are March, April, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at La Mondrée (Fermanville)?
La Mondrée (Fermanville) works with N, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are S, SW, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at La Mondrée (Fermanville)?
Recommended equipment sizes at La Mondrée (Fermanville): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m².
What skill level is La Mondrée (Fermanville) suitable for?
La Mondrée (Fermanville) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.