Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime)

Shortboard, Longboard
Best for
Intermediate
Skill Level
Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) is a Mediterranean beach-break known for producing both left and right waves, often described as hollow, fast, and fun. The takeoff and start of the wave are rocky, while the wave can finish over the sand, which contributes to the “power hollow/fast” character when the swell and wind line up. For surfing, the spot is best with South-East swell (and also East swell), which is when it is most likely to deliver the hollow, fast rides. One source also highlights that the spot is a regular/consistent producer (“regular frequency”) and can offer good day length depending on tide, swell, and wind. The workable swell-height window is given as roughly 1.0 to 2.5 meters, with the caveat that on very large swells it may start to close out. Wind strongly affects wave quality: offshore winds from the NW/N tend to groom the wave faces, while onshore conditions (notably SE) can make the wave choppy quickly. Wind reliability for the specific spot is described as low overall, so plan around forecasts and observe how quickly faces clean up as wind direction changes. Safety-wise, treat the rocky takeoff and near-point sections with respect. Hazards mentioned include rocks at the takeoff zone, rips during larger swells, and submerged rocks near the point during low tide phases. There is no lifeguard presence reported for the spot; nearest facilities are in Sainte-Maxime. Crowds can be high when conditions are good, and local surfers may be protective on peak days, so follow etiquette and avoid crowding the peak.

  • Hollow, fast, fun left and right beach-break waves
  • Best with strong East / South-East swell (working window ~1.0–2.5 m)
  • Offshore NW/N wind helps clean faces; SE wind makes it choppy quickly
Great for
Surfing shortboardSurfing longboard
What's great
  • Hollow, fast, fun left and right waves (regional classic) with solid day length when the conditions line up.
  • Works well with strong East/South-East swell; offshore NW/N wind helps groom the wave faces.
  • Access is described as easy to find, with nearby amenities and water-sports infrastructure in Sainte-Maxime.
Heads up
  • Wind is reported as low reliability; conditions depend strongly on swell, tide, and wind turning (offshore NW/N helps).
  • Rocks at/near takeoff make sessions hazardous, especially around low tide and during larger swells (rips).
  • Crowds can build when conditions are good.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
N, NW, W
Offshore directions
N, NW, W
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Mixed — Mistral (NW) can provide offshore-cleaner conditions; onshore easterly components (SE) can make the wave choppy quickly.
Reliability
low
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Gusty days are possible; surf conditions are described as depending on the wind.
Best Months
October, November, December, January, February, March
Shadow Zones
Protected from westerly winds by local topography.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Sand — Spot-level sources mention sand; wave behavior also involves rocky takeoff sections.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — One source summarizes wave size as medium; other descriptions focus on working swell up to larger size without a numeric cap besides the 1.0–2.5 m window for optimal surfing.
Chop Level
Moderate chop — Choppiness increases quickly with onshore (SE) wind.
Launch
Medium — Beach access between rocky sections of the point.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
13–26 °C
Water Temperature
8–29 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 4/3mm + BootsApr–Sep: 3/2mmJul, Aug: shorty or boardshorts
Crowds by Season

High on weekends and during winter swells when it is one of the few working spots.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy periods typical in October and November.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

A Mediterranean beach-break producing both left and right waves. Strong East/South-East swells can create hollow, fast, fun tubes, starting over a rocky section and finishing on the sandy beach.

Beach break
Wave Direction
Both
Optimal Swell
SE, E
Swell Height
1–2.5 m
Optimal Tide
All tides — Optimal performance described as dependent on tide; one source explicitly indicates all-tides.
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Point/rock structure provides some shelter, but it remains influenced by swell and wind exposure for a hollow beach-break.
Wind Effect
Offshore winds (NW/N) groom the wave faces; onshore (SE) makes it choppy quickly.
Bigger Swell
Can handle decent regional size but starts to close out on extremely large swells.
Wave Quality
Good — Regional classic / regional classic quality and generally good wave quality.
Wave Power
Powerful — Hollow/fast waves are described as powerful, with regional-classic wave energy.
Wave Shape
Hollow — Hollow and fast characteristics; can become hollow and fast.
Peel Speed
Fast — Fast peeling described for the spot.
Ride Length
Medium — Good day length; described as medium ride length with sections connecting point-to-beach.
Ride Length Details
Good day length with sections that can connect from the point to the beach.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) in the full forecast view.

Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–17 ktsGusts 32 kts
Direction
WNW295°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2417 kts
Windy days
2/712 kts or more
Waves
0.1–1.2 m3s period
Temperature
11–21 °C

Over the next 7 days, Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 32 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.1–1.2 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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 at the takeoff zone and near the point
  • Rips during larger swells
  • Crowds when conditions are good
  • Submerged rocks near the point during low-tide phases
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Lifeguard
None — No lifeguard presence reported for the spot.
Rescue & Self-Rescue
No — Rescue availability reported as no for this specific spot, though the wider gulf area is monitored by SNSM per regional context.
Emergency Info
Nearest facilities located in Sainte-Maxime town center.
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Crowds when conditions are good; locals may be protective on peak days.

Rules of the spot

Standard surfing etiquette applies; on peak days locals may be protective.

Local Tips
  • Wait for the South-East swell to peak and the wind to turn North-West for the cleanest conditions
  • Watch out for submerged rocks near the point during low tide phases

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Sainte-Maxime
Nearest Town
Sainte-Maxime
Nearest Airport
Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE) ~100 km; Toulon-Hyères (TLN) ~50 km
Parking
Limited parking along the coastal road or at nearby beach lots like La Nartelle
Public Transport
Accessible via the Varlib bus network connecting to regional train stations like Saint-Raphaël and Toulon; seasonal ferries connect coastal towns.
Access
Accessible via the coastal road (D559) between Sainte-Maxime and Les Issambres
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous hotels and campsites in Sainte-Maxime and the La Nartelle area.
Food & Drink
Restaurants and beach clubs are available at the nearby Plage de la Nartelle.
Equipment Rental:
Rental shops are located in Sainte-Maxime and nearby La Nartelle.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime)?

The best overall months at Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) are October, November, December, January, February, March.

Which wind directions work at Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime)?

Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) works with N, NW, W winds. Offshore directions are N, NW, W.

What skill level is Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) suitable for?

Pointe Alègre (Sainte-Maxime) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.