Les Petits Dalles
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Petits Dalles is a Normandy spot on a pebble/shingle beach with reef-like steps, producing punchy surf best at mid tide. Sources emphasize rocks and reef exposure as the primary concerns, with additional risks from slippery pebbles and areas affected by cliff erosion. For surfing, conditions are described as peeling and often fast, with a preference for mid tide. One source notes left-hand waves, while another indicates the break can offer both lefts and rights depending on conditions. Wave quality is characterized as good to average, and the wave shape is consistently described as peeling. The most reliable season for surf conditions is centered on autumn into winter, with several sources pointing to November and the months of October through February. Wind and swell interplay matters: East/South-East winds are described as grooming the waves, while West winds can create heavy chop. Wind reliability is also described as low, which supports planning around specific windows. Safety planning is essential at this location: low tide is described as too dangerous due to an exposed reef, and high tide can cause waves to break on pebbles and towards the cliffs. Local guidance also highlights possible strong currents during larger swells, seasonal lifeguard presence, and limited rescue availability—so sessions should be approached conservatively and only when conditions match the tide guidance.
- Peeling, fast surf with left/right potential
- Mid-tide is the key to covering the reef safely and getting better wave shape
- Dramatic chalk-cliff setting
- Peeling surf with potential for left and right options
- Consistent autumn–winter windows for conditions
- Dramatic chalk-cliff setting (part of the spot’s character)
- Rocky/reef hazards with strong currents possible
- Tide sensitivity: low tide exposes the reef; high tide can make waves break onto pebbles/cliffs
- Wind reliability is low; cliffs create turbulent flow
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal wind patterns are typical for the area; spot-level sources also describe wind type as frontal.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Described as having moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some shelter from North-East winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble/shingle beach.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium by another source; overall conditions are small to medium.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow launch from a pebble beach between high chalk cliffs.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty described as moderate; access can be challenging across pebbles.
Through the year
Quiet in winter except for local surfers on good days; very crowded with tourists in July and August.
Late autumn and winter (November to February) see the most frequent Atlantic storms; rain and storms frequent from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Generally considered difficult for kitesurfing due to the narrow beach, pebble launch, and turbulent wind around the high cliffs; best left to advanced riders in specific wind directions.
Possible in West or South-West winds, but access across the pebbles is challenging; more popular for wave riding than freeride.
Limited suitability due to a rocky bottom and shorebreak on pebbles; minimum depth is only reached away from the reef edge.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil friendliness is indicated.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters outside the reef line
Punchy shingle/pebble beach area with reef-like steps; left and/or both directions can form depending on conditions. Often discussed as a reef break/stepped break with peeling waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is consistently indicated as best; low tide is dangerous and high tide can break on pebbles/cliffs.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Shelter is described as semi-sheltered (cliff setting and wind effects vary with direction).
- Wind Effect
- East and South-East winds groom the waves; West winds cause heavy chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle larger swells but becomes messy and difficult to paddle out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality is described as good by one source; another describes it as average.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — One source describes the wave power as powerful; another describes it as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Described as peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also described as peeling with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides reported up to about 50–100 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 75 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides of 50–100 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Petits Dalles in the full forecast view.
Les Petits Dalles wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–29 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- SW228°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–3.5 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Petits Dalles is forecast for daytime winds of 6–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–3.5 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks
- Sharp reef
- Cliff rockfalls
- Slippery pebbles
- Strong currents
- Submerged reef
- Large rocks
- Cliffs prone to erosion
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence is indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Coastguard (SNSM) services are stationed in nearby ports of Fécamp and Saint-Valery-en-Caux.
- Emergency Info
- France emergency numbers: 112 (general), 196 (maritime rescue). Nearest major hospital: Centre Hospitalier de Fécamp.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism is indicated; respect the takeoff zone.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies. Respect the local surfers in the takeoff zone.
- Swimming zones may be marked in summer months.
- Works best at mid-tide.
- At low tide, the reef is too exposed and dangerous.
- At high tide, waves can break on the pebbles and towards the cliffs.
- The spot works best at mid-tide on the flood.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fécamp
- Nearest Town
- Sassetot-le-Mauconduit
- Nearest Airport
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) — ~200 km
- Parking
- Public parking available near the seafront; can fill up quickly in summer and on good swell days.
- Public Transport
- Limited local bus service; trains serve Fécamp from Rouen and Paris.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Gîtes and small hotels are available in Sassetot-le-Mauconduit and nearby villages.
- Food & Drink
- A few seasonal cafes and restaurants are located near the beach entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rental shops directly on the beach; nearest rentals are in Fécamp.
- Gear Storage
- Limited seasonal storage may be available through local nautical clubs.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs possible at nautical shops in Fécamp.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The wider Alabaster Coast area around the spot is known for dramatic chalk-cliff scenery, a strong maritime character, and nearby seaside-town infrastructure supporting wind and water sports.
Architectural masterpiece and distillery for the famous Bénédictine liqueur.
World-famous white chalk cliffs and natural arches, associated with Impressionist inspiration.
Long-distance coastal path with views along the Alabaster Cliffs.
Traditional French dining in the heart of the village.
Promenade and family-friendly seaside atmosphere.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Les Petits Dalles?
The best overall months at Les Petits Dalles are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Les Petits Dalles?
Les Petits Dalles works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.
What skill level is Les Petits Dalles suitable for?
Les Petits Dalles suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.