Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) is an exposed Atlantic spot known for powerful surf on a beach-and-reef setup, producing fast lefts and softer rights. The break is rated good to powerful, with the working swell range commonly described from about 1.0 m up to the mid-2 m range, and it can hold larger surf but becomes dangerous for paddling and takeoff as swell grows.
- Powerful beach-and-reef surf with fast lefts
- Swell typically best from the west/NW sector
- Southeast wind is reported as offshore for the surf break
- Well-known for powerful, high-quality waves when conditions line up.
- Offshore southeast wind for surfing.
- Tidal beach changes the lineup and hazard level significantly.
- Typically rarely crowded.
- Not practicable in July and August due to the supervised swimming zone (~300 m).
- Rocks/reefs and a rock slab (dalle rocheuse) can become exposed at low tide.
- Strong tidal currents and a potential downwind drift hazard.
- Exposed conditions with powerful surf beyond about 1.5 m swell.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 12–30 kts
- Reliability
- The spot is well-exposed to Atlantic weather systems, providing reliable wind through autumn and spring.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Reported as sandy bottom; other descriptions note sandy with rock / mixed beach sections.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Reports vary: some guidance describes small to medium, while surf-focused info emphasizes powerful conditions with working swell around 1.0–2.5 m.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy launch close to the water entry, but the riding area includes scattered rocks/reefs that become more exposed at lower tides.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Requires navigating shore break and currents; rocks become more exposed at low tide.
Through the year
Empty to quiet in winter; can become busy with surfers and tourists in July and August.
Winter months (December to February) see the most frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible freeride/wave riding, but more suitable for experienced riders because of rocks/reefs and strong currents; summer is restricted by swimming-zone rules.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent for wave sailing in NW to W winds; requires attention to shore break and offshore currents.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Possible but requires caution due to shallow rocky sections/reefs; best at mid to high tide for enough depth.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Minimum depth cited around 1.5 m.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Powerful beach-and-reef break with fast lefts and softer rights; working swell typically starts around the 1.0 m range.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NNW, N
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Best described as high tide / timing about 3 hours before high tide into the descent.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Best with southeast wind offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can become heavy and difficult to paddle out when swell exceeds about 2.5 m; becomes dangerous above about 1.5 m (especially on the left).
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, short to medium rides; typical normal length reported as about 50–150 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) in the full forecast view.
Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–27 ktsGusts 41 kts
- Direction
- WSW251°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2527 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–3.6 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 41 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.6–3.6 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Reefs
- Rock slab (dalle rocheuse) that can be covered by sand patches
- Strong tidal currents / downwind drift pulling you out to sea or toward the lighthouse
- Shore break
- Powerful waves (particularly beyond about 1.5 m swell)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Sea rescue is coordinated via French maritime emergency services (CROSS/SNSM); general emergency number 112.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 112; nearest major hospital facilities are in La Rochelle.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
During summer, respect the supervised swimming zone and designated water-sports areas (spot not practicable in July and August due to a supervised swimming area extending about 300 meters).
- Not surfable in July and August due to supervised swimming zone (~300 m).
- Summer restrictions for kite/windsurfing in designated swimming areas.
- Not surfable in July–August due to the supervised swimming zone (~300 m).
- Avoid low tide because the rock slab/rocks can become exposed and a fin can hit rocks.
- For surfing: best timing is about the last few hours before high tide and the start of the descent.
- Keep an eye on tide because rocks/reefs become a major hazard as water drops.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Rochelle
- Nearest Town
- Les Portes-en-Ré
- Parking
- Parking at/near the beach is available but can fill quickly during peak summer months and good swell days.
- Access
- Cross the bridge to Île de Ré and drive toward the western end of the island. Follow signs for the Phare des Baleines / light house area, and access via Route du Lizay (parking at the end of Route du Lizay).
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping sites and holiday rentals are available in Les Portes-en-Ré and Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.
- Food & Drink
- A few seasonal snack bars and restaurants are available within a short drive or moderate walk toward the lighthouse or the village.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Île de Ré area around Les Portes-en-Ré combines coastal viewpoints and heritage sites with nature-focused tourism (salt marshes and bird-protection reserves).
Historic lighthouse with panoramic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean.
Natural heritage museum at Forêt de Lizay focused on bird protection and local ecology.
Traditional salt harvesting areas with guided explanations of local 'fleur de sel' production.
Flat, scenic cycle paths connecting the island.
Seafood restaurant near the water at Les Portes-en-Ré.
Local restaurant in Les Portes-en-Ré.
Protected bird sanctuary offering educational walks and birdwatching.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré)?
The best overall months at Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) are September, October, November. The best wind months are October.
Which wind directions work at Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré)?
Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–30 kts.
What skill level is Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) suitable for?
Pointe du Lizay (Île de Ré) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Expert.