Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) is a sand-bottom coastal spot known primarily as a surfing refuge in Brittany’s Atlantic setting. While it can be described as an exposed beach break with fairly consistent surf and left-hand favoring tendencies, the bay’s practical rideability is often tied to larger outside conditions that wrap into the harbor area. For surfing, east winds are repeatedly associated with cleaner, offshore conditions, and March is highlighted as the best month. The waves are generally soft and mushy rather than powerful, with short rides and an emphasis on protected, manageable sections—most relevant when the outer coast is blown out or the swell is dangerously large. Mid-tide is also noted as the most favorable tide window for the bay’s surf setup. The location sits in a working-ports environment with strong tidal dynamics. Strong tidal currents, shifting sandbanks, navigation buoys, and active harbor boat traffic are key hazards; riders should stay out of the immediate harbor mouth and strictly avoid the navigation channel. Extra caution is recommended around outgoing tide, which can increase pull toward the open ocean. Beyond surfing, the bay can be used for other wind and water sports but with added constraints from narrow launch strips and depth variability. Kitesurfing is described as challenging and advanced-level due to boat traffic and limited space; wingfoiling and windsurfing are possible, provided you manage shallows and shifting sandbanks.
- East winds provide clean, offshore conditions for surfing
- March is the best surfing month
- Primarily a refuge spot: it often starts working when outer-coast swell becomes very large
- Very strong tides and harbor traffic require careful navigation
- Best surfing month is March, with east winds noted for favorable offshore conditions
- Soft, manageable ‘refuge’ waves when Atlantic conditions are too extreme for the open coastline
- Public amenities and food options are available near the harbor
- Significant tidal currents and strong harbor traffic around the bay
- Launch space can be limited at high tide and there are shifting sandbanks
- Surf and rideability can be restricted—often most useful as a refuge during very large outside swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Best surf conditions noted with east winds (offshore for left-favoring setups), within a generally West/Northwest frontal regime in the region.
- Reliability
- average
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- March
- Shadow Zones
- Significant wind shadows close to the town jetties and buildings.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach and sand-bottom.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Inside-the-bay surf is typically small and softer, with rideable conditions mainly during massive outside events.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy strips at the edge of the bay; space is limited at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch difficulty is moderate due to narrow strips and depth/tide variability.
Through the year
Can be crowded with tourists in July and August; surfing crowds are low and local.
Winter months from November through March (highest rainfall and strongest Atlantic storms).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Challenging due to narrow launch areas and significant boat traffic; generally used as a fallback when the open ocean is too rough.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable for freeriding in the bay, but sailors must be mindful of the harbor channel and shifting sandbanks.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
The bay can be attractive for wingfoiling when the swell is too large outside; stay clear of shallow areas and sandbanks.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly when depth allows.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break that favors left-hand waves; works best when Atlantic conditions are extreme enough to wrap into the bay.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best enjoyed around mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered relative to the open coast; becomes rideable when larger swells wrap into the bay.
- Wind Effect
- East winds provide clean, offshore conditions for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Only starts working when Atlantic swell is massive (over 3–4 meters outside). In very large events, it wraps into the bay and becomes rideable.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good to average depending on conditions; best described as soft/protected when the outside swell is massive.
- Wave Power
- Soft — Primarily provides manageable, softer waves—especially when used as a refuge.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Waves are usually soft and mushy.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Waves tend to be soft and mushy with slow peeling.
- Ride Length
- Short — Ride length is typically short.
- Ride Length Details
- Typically soft and mushy; suitable as a fallback when other options are maxed out.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) in the full forecast view.
Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–27 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- WSW243°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2427 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–3.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.4–3.4 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- Strong tidal currents
- Harbor boat traffic
- Navigation channel
- Shifting sandbanks
- Navigation buoys
- Oyster beds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported for this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Regionally served by an SNSM station in the port of Le Croisic; beaches are supervised during July–August.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest emergency services located in Saint-Nazaire. In the EU dial 112 for emergencies and maritime rescue can be reached via 196.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No access or social friction indicated for this spot.
Rules of the spot
Strictly avoid the harbor navigation channel and respect the priority of working vessels. Do not ride inside the immediate harbor mouth.
- No riding inside the immediate harbor mouth
- Only visit for surfing when the outer coast is completely blown out or the swell is dangerously large.
- Be very careful with the outgoing tide which can pull you toward the open ocean.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Nazaire
- Nearest Town
- Le Croisic
- Nearest Airport
- Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
- Parking
- Public parking lots available near the harbor and the town center.
- Public Transport
- Well-connected by rail, with direct links from Le Croisic to Nantes and Paris (TGV/TER).
- Access
- Accessible via the harbor road in Le Croisic or from the Pen Bron side via a small ferry.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, guest houses, and campsites in Le Croisic and Batz-sur-Mer.
- Food & Drink
- Excellent selection of creperies and seafood restaurants along the harbor front.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental centers are available via local sailing schools and specialized shops in nearby areas.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage is available through local sailing clubs/schools for members or students.
- Gear Repair
- Major repair services are available in the nearby hub of La Baule and/or via mobile repair specialists serving the Loire-Atlantique coast.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Le Croisic is a historic Atlantic port and seaside resort with granite coastline character, tidal-bay conditions, and easy access to salt-marsh culture and seafood-focused dining.
One of the largest private aquariums in France, featuring Atlantic and tropical marine life.
Sandy beaches including Saint Goustan, Bay of Castouillet, Crucifix Bay, and Port Lin.
A scenic hiking trail along rugged granite cliffs and hidden coves.
A tourist train offering guided tours of the port and the Wild Coast.
Historical salt evaporation ponds where 'Fleur de Sel' is harvested by hand.
A well-preserved medieval walled city inland from the coast.
Flamboyant Gothic church, old mill, and a menhir in the town center.
A scenic hiking trail along rugged granite cliffs and hidden coves.
Restaurants along the quays serving local seafood; noted for the local 'bouquet du Croisic' pink shrimp.
Le Croisic Océarium® with over 4,000 marine animals.
Tide fishing on foot in Crucifix Bay coves and small protected bays.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay)?
The best overall months at Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March.
Which wind directions work at Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay)?
Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) works with E winds. Offshore directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) suitable for?
Rade de Croisic (Croisic Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.