Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) is a highly exposed Atlantic beach launch at the island’s western tip, where riders contend with strong tidal effects and open-ocean conditions. Water quality is repeatedly described as clean to crystal-clear, and the beach is sandy with a tidal, constantly changing shoreline. Wind is most reliably from the West and North-West, with summer thermal reinforcement strengthening afternoons. For kitesurfing and windsurfing, the combination of strong Atlantic wind and significant tidal currents creates a demanding environment, with the lighthouse area specifically highlighted as the most dangerous due to current strength. Kitesurfing is the best-aligned sport for this spot, with wave and freeride potential. However, there are strict seasonal restrictions in July and August: riding is limited to zoned areas and kitesurfing is banned/restricted until around 18:30 during high season. Planning around the tide is essential because the beach can narrow substantially at high tide and rocks may be exposed at low tide near the western end. Surfing is possible and is described as beach-break with hollow/peeling characteristics that change with tide and swell. One account emphasizes crevated left waves that form as the tide rises, while another notes mid-tide incoming best conditions and that larger swells can lead to closing out beyond a certain size. Overall, the spot suits more experienced riders who can manage currents, exposure, and tidal timing.
- Strong West/NW Atlantic wind regime with summer thermal reinforcement
- Crystal-clear/clean water quality
- Advanced-level conditions due to currents and exposure
- Seasonal swim-zone and high-season riding restrictions
- Long sandy, mostly easy access beach with strong Atlantic/WNW winds
- Good water quality (clean/crystal-clear reported)
- Large riding/surfing area that supports multiple wind-dependent disciplines
- Kitesurfing is the best-aligned sport for the spot conditions
- Strong tidal currents and rapid changes near the lighthouse
- Submerged rocks can be exposed at low tide near the western end
- Seasonal zoning/swim-zone restrictions in July and August
- Highly exposed Atlantic conditions; can be demanding for kitesurfers and surfers
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW, NE, WNW
- Wind Range
- 15–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Dominant West to North-West Atlantic winds with thermal reinforcement in summer; also affected by Atlantic fronts from the West/Southwest.
- Reliability
- consistent
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady; also noted as light-gusts by another provider.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- Some turbulence in South-Westerly behind the forest; very clean wind in North-Westerly directions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Surf described as having multiple peaks; one source calls wave power moderate.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with easy self-launch noted; another source describes a long beach that narrows significantly at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Launch difficulty described as easy; another source describes it as moderate due to tide-driven changes and obstacles.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; quiet and spacious in spring and autumn.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Advanced-level kitesurfing spot with strong Atlantic winds, restricted zones during July/August high season, and strong tidal currents near the lighthouse. Best described as wave riding and freeride depending on swell and tide.
Strong currents and open exposure make it best for advanced riders; bump-and-jump and wave riding depending on swell. Slalom possible on lighter thermal days.
Highly suitable because of open space, but riders must be mindful of depth at low tide and rock outcrops.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.2m
Beach-break surfing with left-oriented peaks forming as the tide rises; multiple named peaks (including Diamond Head and Lizay) are noted. Best described as incoming mid-tide by one source.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — One source prefers low tide for flatter conditions; another says best on incoming mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Fully exposed to Atlantic conditions.
- Wind Effect
- West/NW onshore winds can influence face quality; NE winds can produce very clean faces via cross-offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size/Atlantic swell; may close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Another provider describes wave power as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Provider notes mention hollow lefts/fast hollow sections on the right swell; another describes peeling waves.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peel speed; one source also notes hollow left sections on the right swell/tide.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; another notes fast hollow sections.
- Ride Length Details
- Can create fast hollow sections on the right swell; crevated left waves can form as the tide rises.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) in the full forecast view.
Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–29 ktsGusts 42 kts
- Direction
- WSW254°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2529 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–3.5 m10s period
- Temperature
- 10–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–29 kts, peaking around 29 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 42 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.6–3.5 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
- Strong tidal currents near the lighthouse
- Submerged rocks exposed at low tide near the western end by the lighthouse
- Open Atlantic exposure
- Crowds of beachgoers in summer
- Beach narrows significantly at high tide
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards present in summer only (and noted as no/little outside summer season in provider notes).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: 112. Lifeguards present in summer only; rescue availability is limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Noted as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Use a kite leash. During summer high season, kitesurfing is restricted/banned until about 18:30 (with seasonal zoning/swim-zone restrictions).
- Kitesurfing prohibited/restricted until around 18:30 during July and August high season (seasonal high-season ban).
- No riding in designated swim zones in summer; use seasonal kite zones.
- Always check the tide table before going out near the lighthouse—rocks can appear at low tide and conditions change quickly.
- Plan launch/landing with tidal timing; access can be very limited at high tide.
- Zoning applies in July and August—stay within the permitted kite/watersports areas.
- Northern end of the beach (away from the lighthouse) is often better for launching kites.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Rochelle
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Clément-des-Baleines
- Nearest Airport
- La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport (LRH)
- Parking
- Large public parking near Phare des Baleines/Saint-Clément-des-Baleines (D735); regulated access via a short dune path to the beach. Also described as free parking at Phare des Baleines / Saint-Clément-des-Baleines via D735.
- Public Transport
- Accessible via Ré Réjouit bus network from La Rochelle; car access recommended for the western tip.
- Access
- Get to La Rochelle and to Île de Ré, then drive all the way west to Saint-Clement-des-Baleines; beach is to the left near the lighthouse (Phare des Baleines).
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several campsites and holiday rentals within walking distance in Le Gillieux and Les Portes-en-Ré.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple restaurants and snack bars near the lighthouse and beach entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through local schools/seasonal shops; kitesurf and windsurf rentals described as common during the season.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by some local schools for their students.
- Gear Repair
- Basic kite/sail repair described as available in nearby towns; major repairs handled in La Rochelle or Rivedoux-Plage.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Île de Ré is a temperate Atlantic island known for expansive sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime pine forests, and a strong outdoor wind-sport culture supported by cycling-first tourism infrastructure.
Over 100km of flat, scenic cycle paths connecting parts of the island.
Historic lighthouse with panoramic views of the island and the Atlantic Ocean.
Natural heritage museum focused on bird protection and local ecology.
Iconic seafood restaurant near the water at Les Portes-en-Ré.
Local restaurant Le Chasse Marée 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 Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré)?
The best overall months at Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré)?
Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) works with W, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW, NE, WNW.
What skill level is Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) suitable for?
Saint-Clement-des-Baleines (Île de Ré) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Advanced.