Nez Bayard
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Nez Bayard is a technical reef surf spot at the tip of the La Hague area, located in front of the old semaphore. It’s described as sheltered and reef/reef-rocky, producing fast, hollow waves with strong power when the right swell arrives. The spot only works infrequently (“once in a while”) and typically needs a meaningful swell to start. Working swell is reported around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to about 2.5 m or more; as swell increases, the spot is described as becoming very dangerous. Rides are generally short, commonly under 50 meters, but can be intense. Wind-wise, South, Southeast, and Southwest winds are reported as the favorable/offshore directions, helping deliver cleaner conditions. North wind is specifically called out as a factor that does not suit the spot, and the spot is also noted to be sheltered from North/Northeast winds by the headland. Safety is a major concern: the reef is sharp with rocks and submerged reef, and currents are reported as extremely strong due to the proximity of the Raz Blanchard tidal race. The spot is described as isolated with no lifeguards and rescue availability reported as no at the spot level; careful tide watching and expert-level competence with reef breaks and strong currents are emphasized. Seals may also be present in the water, and cold water is expected across the season.
- Sheltered reef break that works only occasionally
- Fast, hollow, powerful wave shape
- Short intense rides (typically under 50 m)
- Strong tidal currents near Raz Blanchard
- Favorable offshore winds from South/Southeast/Southwest
- Sheltered reef break producing fast, hollow, powerful waves.
- Short but intense rides, often under 50 meters.
- Clean offshore conditions can occur with South/Southeast winds.
- Low crowds due to remoteness and technical requirements.
- High-consequence reef break with sharp rocks and submerged reef.
- Extremely strong tidal currents near Raz Blanchard; currents can change rapidly.
- Works only occasionally and requires specific conditions (strong swell, high-to-mid tide, no north wind).
- Advanced/expert-only technical surfing; rescue availability reported as no at the spot level.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, SW
- Offshore directions
- SW, S, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind Type reported as frontal systems.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- March
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered from North and Northeast winds by the headland.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky composition.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Working swell begins around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold up to 2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Rocky entry near the old semaphore.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry and reef access described as difficult; obstacles and currents add complexity.
Through the year
Generally empty or very low crowds due to technical nature and remote location.
Winter months see frequent Atlantic depressions and storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Sheltered reef break on the Pointe de La Hague area. Technical, fast, hollow waves that typically need specific conditions (strong swell) and work infrequently.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W, NNW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal; WannaSurf also indicates best positioning with mid and high tide.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered reef break; also described as semi-sheltered depending on conditions.
- Wind Effect
- South and Southeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to around 2.5 m or more, but becomes very dangerous.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Excellent/‘Regional Classic’ wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful hollow/fast reef waves reported.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling reported.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short rides reported, typically under 50m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (< 50m); Perplexity notes short (< 50m) and Gemini reports under 50m, with an additional typical ride length figure.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Nez Bayard in the full forecast view.
Nez Bayard wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–36 ktsGusts 51 kts
- Direction
- SW236°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2436 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.1 m8s period
- Temperature
- 11–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Nez Bayard is forecast for daytime winds of 6–36 kts, peaking around 36 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 51 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–3.1 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
- Sharp rocks
- Submerged reef
- Extremely strong tidal currents
- Submerged reef / strong tidal races
- Raz Blanchard tidal race
- Seals
- Isolated location
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level rescue availability reported as no. Regional context indicates limited rescue availability with monitoring by SNSM and coordination via CROSS Jobourg.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major services are in Cherbourg.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard maritime safety and surf etiquette apply.
- Requires strong swell and high-to-mid tide to work.
- Not a suitable spot without experience on reef breaks and in strong tidal currents.
- Watch for seals (phoques) in the water.
- Only attempt if you are an experienced surfer comfortable with reef breaks and strong currents.
- Watch the tide carefully as currents can change rapidly and pull you toward the Raz Blanchard.
- Requires specific conditions—typically strong swell and high-to-mid tide—and no north wind (sans vent de Nord).
- No north wind: otherwise conditions are not favorable.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- Nearest Town
- Auderville
- Parking
- Limited parking available near the headland/semaphore area.
- Access
- From Cherbourg, drive to La Hague, then to Nez Bayard point. There is no signpost; the spot is located in front of the old military semaphore (sémaphore). Access is instant (<5 min walking). Parking is reported as limited near the headland/semaphore area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Gîtes and small hotels in Auderville and Saint-Germain-des-Vaux.
- Food & Drink
- Local restaurants available in Auderville.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals available on-site; gear must be brought from Cherbourg.
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 Nez Bayard?
The best overall months at Nez Bayard are March.
Which wind directions work at Nez Bayard?
Nez Bayard works with S, SSE, SW winds. Offshore directions are SW, S, SSE.
What skill level is Nez Bayard suitable for?
Nez Bayard suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.