Longchamps
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Longchamps is an exposed sandy beach break where surf quality depends strongly on the day’s swell and wind. The break is described as exposed and sometimes inconsistent, but when conditions line up—especially NW swell with south offshore wind—waves can be clean and of good quality. For surfing specifically, the spot is characterized as an exposed beach break with a sandy bottom and short-to-medium ride lengths. Reports range from shorter rides on some days to longer rides (around 50–150 m) on better days. Wave shape is described as peeling, and riding is generally best around mid to high tide, particularly on a rising tide. For wind sports, northerly winds (N/NE/NW) are the key window for kitesurfing, while south winds are more favorable for grooming the surf. Winds are noted as average overall, with moderate gusts reported, and the beach’s extreme tidal swings can significantly change the available launch area—especially at high tide. Safety planning is important: rocks at both ends of the beach and strong tidal currents are recurring hazards, and at absolute high tide waves can break directly against the wall when there is little or no beach left, making launching/landing dangerous. Summer can also be busy, and rules may restrict water sports to designated zones during peak afternoon hours to protect swimmers.
- Exposed sandy beach break with good quality when NW swell meets south offshore wind
- Best surfing window around mid/high and rising tide
- N/NE/NW winds are the main window for kitesurfing
- Rocks at both ends plus strong currents; high tide seawall hazard
- Good wave quality on suitable NW swell + south offshore wind conditions.
- Clean water and sandy bottom.
- Multiple wind sports possible (kitesurfing, windsurfing, wingfoiling) with northerly winds.
- Very dangerous at high tide because there is no more beach and waves break against the wall.
- Inconsistent surf (can be sometimes breaking/flat at times).
- Rocks and strong tidal currents can make sessions hazardous.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW, W
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE, SE, SW, WSW, E, ESE, SSE, SE
- No-go directions
- S, SSE, SE, SSE, SW, E, ESE, W, WSW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Reliability
- average
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting noted in winds; blown-out conditions reported in February.
- Best Months
- February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
- Shadow Zones
- South of the beach (offshore) the wind can be extremely gusty and shadowed by cliffs/buildings.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Wave size described as small in one surf guide; another report describes medium waves.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Chop and variable conditions reported; north/onshore wind can create more chop for surfing.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at low to mid tide; very narrow or non-existent at high tide against the seawall.
Through the year
Very busy with tourists and swimmers in July and August; quiet in the off-season with locals.
Winter months (December–February) see the most frequent storms and low-pressure systems; higher storm risk also noted for autumn and winter (October–March).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing works with northerly winds; NW/NE best for riding, with N winds tending to be onshore (can limit upwind).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable especially in cross-onshore conditions from the Northwest or Northeast; can work for bump/jump and wave riding.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Wingfoiling is supported by the sandy bottom; foilers should be mindful of submerged rocks at the edges and large tidal range.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Sandy bottom makes it relatively safe; depth and edge rocks are key considerations.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beach break with good wave quality when swell/wind align (NW swell with south offshore wind).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best with mid and high tide; rising tide also favored.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach exposure with limited protection; seawall becomes a hazard at very high tide.
- Wind Effect
- South winds are offshore and groom the waves; North winds are onshore and create chop.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells over 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good; sometimes break with inconsistency.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Ordinary/“moderate” power; good quality on suitable days.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling, relatively consistent beach break behavior.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling wave with medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Rides commonly around the 50–150 m range on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (< 50 m) on some days; also described as offering 50–150 m rides on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Longchamps in the full forecast view.
Longchamps wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–21 ktsGusts 35 kts
- Direction
- SW227°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2421 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–2.7 m8s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Longchamps is forecast for daytime winds of 2–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 35 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.2–2.7 m with a period of about 8s. 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 (notably at both eastern and western ends; also mentioned as a kite-surfing hazard)
- Strong tidal currents
- Seawall at high tide
- Crowded beach in summer (tourists/swimmers)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional/seasonal maritime rescue; no permanent coastguard base noted for the wider bay area.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue availability is limited in the area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Avoid the beach at absolute high tide because waves can break against the wall, making launching/landing dangerous.
- Summer: water sports may be restricted to designated zones/channels during peak afternoon hours to protect swimmers.
- High tide launching danger.
- Works only with NW or NE winds (onshore N can limit upwind for kitesurfing).
- Keep an eye on tide height: at very high tide there may be no usable beach and waves can hit the seawall.
- Western end near the cliffs can have more defined surf peaks but more rocks.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Malo
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Briac-sur-Mer
- Parking
- Large public parking lot directly behind the beach; also described as a parking lot off the coastal road with instant access (< 5 minutes walk).
- Access
- Take D766 to Dinard, then west to St. Lunaire and follow the coast to Boulevard de Longchamps; the beach is on the right. Accessible via the coastal road Boulevard de la Mer (D78), situated between Saint-Briac-sur-Mer and Saint-Lunaire.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping de la Ville Huchet and various local hotels in Saint-Briac and Saint-Lunaire.
- Food & Drink
- Several seasonal snack bars and restaurants are located along the boulevard overlooking the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at the local surf and kite schools during the 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 Longchamps?
The best overall months at Longchamps are January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at Longchamps?
Longchamps works with N, NE, NW, W winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE, SE, SW, WSW, E, ESE, SSE, SE. No-go directions are S, SSE, SE, SSE, SW, E, ESE, W, WSW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Longchamps?
Recommended equipment sizes at Longchamps: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Longchamps suitable for?
Longchamps suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.