Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Les Godelins is a shallow, clean, sandy tidal beach on the Côte du Goëlo where riders mainly come for easterly winds—especially NE. The spot is described as generally flat to mildly choppy with small-wave conditions, making it well-suited to freeride-oriented kite sessions and also compatible with foil setups when depth allows. Because it’s tidal, planning matters: providers emphasize that the available launch area and safe water space change throughout the tide, and at very high tide the water can reach the sea wall leaving little or no room to launch. Many sessions are therefore best around mid-tide, balancing workable depth with enough sandy area for setup. Safety planning is essential due to rocks. Hazards are reported at the north and south ends of the beach, with additional submerged rocks noted at high tide. In summer, swimming zones and buoy-marked channels for regulated nautical activity must be respected, and there are restrictions near shore (including rules around navigation/mooring/anchoring within a defined distance of the shoreline).
- NE-focused wind direction for east-onshore sessions
- Shallow tidal expanse with flat-to-choppy water and small waves
- Rock hazards at the ends and submerged rocks at high tide
- Summer swimming/nautical zones regulated by buoy markings
- NE easterly wind focus (NE best wind direction reported)
- Shallow, flat, clean water with small-wave/chop conditions for freeride
- Tidal beach provides different water textures across the cycle (flatter behind sandbars at lower/mid tide)
- Road access via D786 and parking available close to the beach
- Significant tidal change can reduce launch space or eliminate it at very high tide
- Rock hazards at both ends and some submerged rocks at high tide
- Summer swimming and regulated zones can restrict kiting/windsurfing during peak hours
- Rescue availability is reported as limited to no by different providers
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, E, SE
- Offshore directions
- W
- No-go directions
- W
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Providers describe primarily gradient-like easterly conditions; regional winds are often affected by Atlantic frontal patterns and sunny-afternoon thermal influence.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; sandbars may create flatter water pockets at lower/mid tide.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Small-wave and chop conditions reported.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop and small waves are both mentioned by providers.
- Launch
- Small — Launch area is described as shallow/tidal and easy to self-launch, but it becomes constrained at high tide.
Through the year
Quiet in winter; very busy with swimmers and tourists in July and August.
October to March: late autumn and winter see frequent Atlantic depressions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A shallow, flat tidal beach with small chop and small-wave conditions when the wind blows from the east (NE preferred). Riders often find a mix of flatter water behind sandbars at lower/mid tide and more chop as the tide comes in. Rocky outcrops at the ends and changing launch space at high tide require careful timing and setup.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeride and foil windsurfing in easterly conditions, though the spot is primarily used by kiters.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Increasingly used for wingfoiling, particularly around mid-tide when depth is sufficient to clear the sandbars.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Minimum depth reported around 1.0m.
- Min Depth
- 1.0m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) in the full forecast view.
Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–23 ktsGusts 40 kts
- Direction
- SW230°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2423 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.3 m5s period
- Temperature
- 8–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 40 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.1–1.3 m with a period of about 5s. 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
- submerged rocks at high tide
- strong tidal range / disappearing launch space at high tide
- restricted/regulated buoy zones near swimming and nautical channels
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Supervised swimming zone reported for July–August; lifeguards are seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Providers conflict (one states limited, one states no). Regional guidance indicates limited rescue with monitored summer bathing zones; poste de secours reported during July–August.
- Emergency Info
- In emergencies: 112 (EU) and 15 (SAMU). Maritime rescue can be reached via 196. Nearest major medical facility is Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Brieuc (about 15 km).
Rules of the spot
Two channels marked by yellow buoys are reserved for nautical sports; during peak summer periods, respect regulated zones during supervised swimming hours. General restrictions include no navigation/mooring/anchoring within 300m of shore; marine activity prohibited within 300m of shore.
- No navigation, mooring, or anchoring within 300m of shore
- No animals on beach May 15–Nov 15
- No kiting at very high tide due to lack of beach
- Seasonal swimming zones; kiting/windsurfing may be restricted during peak swimming hours in July and August
- Avoid yellow buoy zones reserved for regulated nautical activity.
- Check supervised swimming zone hours in July–August.
- Check tide times carefully; at high tide the water can reach the sea wall leaving little/no space to launch.
- Best balance for space and depth is typically mid-tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Brieuc
- Nearest Town
- Binic-Étables-sur-Mer
- Nearest Airport
- Rennes Bretagne Airport (RNS)
- Parking
- Parking available at/near Les Godelins overlooking the beach; one access route notes parking about 150m above the beach.
- Public Transport
- TGV to Saint-Brieuc, then local BreizhGo bus lines connecting to coastal towns
- Access
- From St. Brieuc, drive north on D786 to Binic and further to Étables-sur-Mer; follow signs to the beach (Plage des Godelins / Les Godelins).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and guesthouses are available in Binic and Étables-sur-Mer.
- Food & Drink
- A beach cafe/restaurant is available seasonally.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is reported as available through local nautical centers during peak season.
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 Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer)?
The best overall months at Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer)?
Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) works with NE, E, SE winds. Offshore directions are W. No-go directions are W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) suitable for?
Les Godelins (Binic-Étables-sur-Mer) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.