Petit Havre (Le Gosier)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Petit Havre (Le Gosier) is an exposed beach-and-reef surf break in a sandy cove, where the underwater bottom includes reef patches. Waves are generally described as mellow/soft with a peeling shape, making it a good choice for learning and progressing—rides can be relatively long when conditions line up. Wind is dominated by trade-wind flow with an offshore component when the northwest wind is in. Reported consistency is tied to seasonal “blown” likelihood, and the spot is described as most suitable in the winter swell period. Thermal effects are noted as strengthening during the day over the December-to-June window, while summer can trend flatter. Safety is a key consideration: the break is associated with rocks and scattered coral heads, and sea urchins are specifically called out. Stronger currents near the point and sun exposure are also mentioned. Practical local guidance emphasizes using booties, arriving early for parking on busy days, and following standard in-water etiquette. Access is via the N4 corridor with signage for Petit Havre, with parking options reported near/behind the beach; weekends and school holidays are often the busiest. The most reliable conditions are tied to the winter swell season, with the ideal swell direction reported as southeast and typical working swell height ranges given in one source.
- Mellow peeling reef waves for progression
- Offshore northwest winds for cleaner faces
- Winter swell season is most consistent
- Mellow, peeling waves with long rides that support progression.
- Offshore NW wind often helps keep faces cleaner.
- Warm water year-round and nearby amenities (parking, toilets, showers).
- Rocks and underwater sea urchins create puncture/impact risk.
- Crowds on weekends/school holidays.
- Can get messy and heavy on large winter swells or tropical storms.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, NNW, NE
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 18–28 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing trade winds (Alizs).
- Reliability
- 84% blown (seasonal blown percentage).
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady trade-wind feel reported.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- The cove offers some protection from strong easterly winds for surfers.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with reef/rock hazards at the water’s edge.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium in another provider; overall described as mellow/soft.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach entry with rocky patches near the water's edge.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Sandy entry with rocky patches; reported as easy overall.
Through the year
Highest on weekends and during school holidays (December, February, April).
June to November
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach-and-reef setup that works best with southeast swells and northwest offshore winds; reasonably consistent with summer tending to be flatter.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE, N, NE
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide preferred.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Reported as semi-sheltered; also described as exposed in some sources.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest wind provides offshore conditions for clean faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become messy and heavy during large winter swells or tropical storms.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Mellow/soft power reported.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Long peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Rides peel well over the reef with a medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Peels well and offers progressions.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Rides peel well over the reef, offering both lefts and rights with a softer profile.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Petit Havre (Le Gosier) in the full forecast view.
Petit Havre (Le Gosier) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- ESE109°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2513 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–1.1 m5s period
- Temperature
- 25–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Petit Havre (Le Gosier) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is ESE. Waves run 0.6–1.1 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
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents near the point
- Crowded waves
- Sun exposure
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Maritime search and rescue is provided by SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer) operating in the area.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Le Gosier or Pointe-à-Pitre. European emergency number 112 is active; local emergency numbers include 15 (medical), 17 (police), and 18 (fire).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; be mindful of surf schools and beginners. Respect designated swimming areas.
- Designated swimming areas must be respected.
- Kitesurfing is generally practiced at the adjacent Saline beach rather than the main cove.
- Wear booties to protect against sea urchins and rocks.
- Arrive early to secure parking on weekends.
- The spot is most consistent during the winter swell season.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Le Gosier
- Nearest Town
- Mare-Gaillard
- Nearest Airport
- Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport (PTP)
- Parking
- A large dirt and grass parking area is located directly behind the beach. Additional guidance: park at the crossroads after taking two rights onto the small road named 'plage du petit havre'.
- Access
- Accessible via the N4 road between Le Gosier and Sainte-Anne; look for signs for Petit Havre.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous vacation rentals, villas, and hotels are available in Le Gosier and Sainte-Anne.
- Food & Drink
- Local snacks and food trucks often serve bokits and cold drinks at the entrance to the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through the surf schools located at or near the beach.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repair services for kites and boards are available through local workshops in the Pointe-à-Pitre area.
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 Petit Havre (Le Gosier)?
The best overall months at Petit Havre (Le Gosier) are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Petit Havre (Le Gosier)?
Petit Havre (Le Gosier) works with NW, NNW, NE winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What skill level is Petit Havre (Le Gosier) suitable for?
Petit Havre (Le Gosier) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner.