Le Matray (Île de Ré)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- 12–25 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Le Matray (Île de Ré) is a tidal Atlantic kitesurf spot on the island’s narrow isthmus near Ars-en-Ré. The water is typically shallow and clean, with conditions ranging from flat to chop depending on tide and wind angle; small waves may appear at times. Wind is most often from SW, WSW, and W, and the core riding season is roughly April through October, with strongest conditions reported from October onward. Typical average wind is around 12–20 knots, with occasional peaks closer to 25 knots, and gustiness described as light. A summer thermal effect can occasionally reinforce the wind, but the main pattern remains Atlantic-driven. The launch and riding window are strongly tide dependent: at low tide the beach can effectively disappear, while at high tide the sandy launch can narrow significantly. Local guidance emphasizes riding about two hours before through two hours after high tide and avoiding dead low tide. Safety is a key concern because oyster beds and nearby rock groynes are common in the area and may be sharp and sometimes submerged even when marked. Summer swimming-zone rules and seasonal, time-based kite restrictions on Île de Ré (including potential restrictions between mid-June and mid-September) must be respected, and riders should also follow any marked-channel navigation guidance where applicable.
- Best wind from SW, WSW, and W.
- Tidal spot: high tide recommended for access; avoid dead low tide.
- Shallow, clean water with flat-to-choppy/free-ride conditions.
- Oyster beds/rocks nearby are an important hazard; stay clear.
- Reliable Atlantic wind exposure for kitesurfing with best directions SW/WSW/W.
- Shallow, generally clean water suitable for freeride progression (flat to choppy).
- Parking access near the narrow isthmus; a number of island services/schools and rentals are available across Île de Ré.
- Tide-dependent launch access (no water at low tide; beach narrows at high tide).
- Oyster beds and submerged hazards can be sharp and sometimes submerged even when marked.
- Seasonal/time-based kite restrictions on Île de Ré may affect when and where you can fly.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, WSW, W
- Offshore directions
- SW, WSW, W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Atlantic-driven frontal winds (providers vary between 'trade' and 'frontal'; direction and seasonal pattern align).
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: NW · Occasional light thermal sea breezes in summer can reinforce the prevailing gradient wind.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave conditions reported.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy conditions reported; can range from flat to chop depending on tide/wind.
- Launch
- Small — Tidal sandy launch that narrows at high tide; at low tide access can be limited due to exposed/absent water.
Through the year
Can be crowded with kiters in summer; very quiet in winter.
Late autumn and winter (November to February) see more frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Freeride-focused spot with shallow water that can be flat to choppy; sometimes includes small waves. Kite use is tuned to tidal windows (best around high tide).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Freeride and bump-and-jump style possible; conditions are typically choppy/side-shore when wind angle suits.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Possible at high tide, but shallow areas and submerged oyster beds/rocks require caution.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- Only rideable at mid-to-high tide to avoid hitting the bottom
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Le Matray (Île de Ré) in the full forecast view.
Le Matray (Île de Ré) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–29 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- WSW253°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 10–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Le Matray (Île de Ré) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.2–1.7 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- oyster beds (parcs à huîtres)
- rocks/rock groynes
- tidal/narrow beach at high tide
- tidal currents near inlet areas
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources report no dedicated rescue for the launch; regional SNSM sea rescue coverage exists around the island.
- Emergency Info
- No specific spot rescue procedure found for this launch. Regional sea rescue emergency calls available via 112 or 196 (SNSM stations across the island).
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism friction reported at the spot level.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming zones during summer and follow any local, time-based kite restrictions/zone rules. Ride within marked channels where required, especially outside the main navigation zone.
- Kite restrictions are seasonal and time-dependent on Île de Ré: kite is prohibited between 15 June and 15 September between 10:00 and about 18:30/19:00 on certain beaches; Martray was previously exempt (zone rules may change by year).
- Avoid dead low tide; conditions are tide dependent.
- The spot is best enjoyed roughly 2 hours before to 2 hours after high tide (avoid dead low tide).
- Oyster parks are often marked with wooden poles but can still be submerged—stay clear.
- Use marked/buoyed channels when navigating outside the 300m zone when allowed/recommended.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Rochelle
- Nearest Town
- Ars-en-Ré
- Parking
- Parking is available nearby; some sources mention limited roadside pockets while others describe a large parking area at/near the isthmus.
- Access
- Get to Île de Ré, then drive west on D735 until you reach Le Matray.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and vacation rentals are available in nearby Ars-en-Ré and La Couarde-sur-Mer.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and cafés are available a few kilometers away in Ars-en-Ré.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in larger towns on the island (e.g., Ars-en-Ré) and specialized services exist across Île de Ré.
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 Le Matray (Île de Ré)?
The best overall months at Le Matray (Île de Ré) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Le Matray (Île de Ré)?
Le Matray (Île de Ré) works with SW, WSW, W winds. Offshore directions are SW, WSW, W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Le Matray (Île de Ré)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Le Matray (Île de Ré): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Le Matray (Île de Ré) suitable for?
Le Matray (Île de Ré) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced.