Saint-Michel-en-Grève
- Freestyle, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- 2–10 kts
- Wind Range
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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-Michel-en-Grève is a classic Brittany kitesurf and wingfoil spot built around a huge sandy bay with extreme tidal variation: at low tide the water retreats far and exposes a very large shallow flat where riders can progress safely. Providers consistently describe the water as shallow and flat (with small chop in some summaries) and suitable for beginner learning—especially for kitesurfing and foiling once you’ve walked out to the workable depth. Wind is most often associated with SW to W/NW directions, with the best months listed as March, April, May, September, October, and November. One provider also notes occasional thermal sea-breeze support during sunny spring/summer days, which can add to the wind gradient. Overall wind reliability is described from moderate to good, with gustiness characterized as steady/light-gusts depending on the report. Safety is strongly tide- and surface-dependent here. Multiple sources highlight that the tide can rise quickly and that at high tide the usable beach narrows dramatically, reaching toward the seawall/road area—so launch positioning and timing matter. In summer, green algae can appear and become slippery; it can be gear-unfriendly, so conditions should be checked before committing to water time. Additional hazards mentioned include seaweed/algae deposits, possible rocks at the ends of the beach, and limited rescue availability. For other water sports, the spot is also used for windsurfing and wingfoiling (with foiling favored when depth allows). Surfing is described as a long, mellow beach break that can work on West/NW swells, producing soft, peeling waves suitable for longboarding and beginners, but it can close out on larger swell and the overall wave quality is described as average. The area is generally equipped for day sessions with toilets, showers, and parking, plus on/near-beach access to food options via nearby cafés and restaurants.
- Vast sandy bay with very shallow, flat water at low tide (excellent for progression).
- Wind best described for SW/W/NW flow, with best months from March–May and September–November.
- Extreme tidal range changes the available launch area throughout the day.
- Summer green algae can affect traction and gear.
- Beginner-friendly progression environment with very shallow, flat water at low tide and a vast sandy bay.
- Large open beach area makes setup easier at low tide.
- Facilities and nearby food options are available for day sessions.
- Very strong tidal changes can dramatically reduce launch beach area at high tide.
- Summer green algae can be slippery and annoying for gear.
- Rescue availability is described as limited.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, NW, N
- Offshore directions
- SW, W, NW
- Wind Range
- 2–10 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers describe the main wind as frontal/W-NW type flow; additional thermal sea-breeze reinforcement is noted occasionally/seasonally.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Some sources indicate steady conditions for progression; another provider notes light gusts.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sandy bottom.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Some sources mention small waves (~0.6 m in a specific current conditions note).
- Launch
- Big — Massive sandy area at low tide; very limited at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Beginner-friendly and easy access are repeatedly described.
Through the year
Can get busy with beachgoers in July and August, though the beach is so large that the water rarely feels crowded.
November to February is typically the stormiest and rainiest period.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A premier progression spot in Brittany: vast sandy expanse at low tide and exceptionally shallow, flat water make it particularly suitable for beginners and for improving freestyle/foil skills. Conditions are described as safe and beginner-friendly due to the wide tidal bay and shallow flats, but caution is required around tide timing and any summer algae.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Described as an excellent freeride and slalom area with a very long run across the bay; also used for foiling.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Widely used for wingfoiling thanks to flat-water conditions at low tide; the long walk to the water at low tide is noted as a practical consideration.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- knee-deep
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Long, mellow beach break that works on solid West/Northwest swells; generally average quality with soft takeoff and beginner-friendly waves.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach with limited natural shelter is described; the surfing area is characterized as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Cross-offshore winds from the South are described as cleaning up the swell for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Closes out when swell exceeds 3 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Soft
- Wave Shape
- Mushy
- Peel Speed
- Slow — Soft, peeling waves are described as typical.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Long, mellow rides for beginners are described.
- Ride Length Details
- Waves are often soft and peeling, offering long rides for beginners.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Saint-Michel-en-Grève in the full forecast view.
Saint-Michel-en-Grève wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–23 ktsGusts 40 kts
- Direction
- SW232°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2423 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–3.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Saint-Michel-en-Grève is forecast for daytime winds of 3–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 40 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–3.9 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
- Fast rising tide
- Slippery green algae (seasonal, can be thick in summer)
- Proximity to the road and seawall during high tide
- Seawall at high tide
- Rocks at the ends of the beach
- Occasional green algae deposits
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are typically present during July–August in designated zones.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is described as limited; the regional context references SNSM operations from nearby Locquémeau.
- Emergency Info
- For maritime emergencies, dial 196. General emergency number 112 is also referenced.
Rules of the spot
Check tide timing carefully; the beach can narrow drastically at high tide. Respect designated areas for different water users and stay away from the road/seawall area during high-tide setups.
- No dogs May 1–Sept 30 in a designated zone (Toul Ar Vilin / Roscoat area).
- Seasonal restrictions may apply during peak summer beach hours; kiting may be discouraged at dead high tide due to lack of beach.
- At low tide, the water can retreat over 3 km—plan for a long walk out.
- Avoid the area during heavy green algae blooms (when present in summer) since it can be slippery and gear-unfriendly.
- At high tide there is almost no beach left and the water reaches the seawall—use caution with launch positioning.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lannion
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Michel-en-Grève
- Parking
- Parking available; one provider notes a large free parking lot directly alongside the beach.
- Access
- From Lannion: head toward Locquirec then Saint-Michel-en-Gr謬v謬 (15 min). From Morlaix: take D786 northeast toward Lannion, pass Plestin-les-Gr謬v謬s. From Brest: drive east on N12, then in Morlaix get onto D786 northeast toward Lannion.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several campsites and small hotels are described in Saint-Michel-en-Grève and Plestin-les-Grèves.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple cafes and restaurants are described as located right across the road from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is described as available through local schools/shops near the beach and on-site by a kitesurf provider.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services are described as available in the Lannion area (also referenced as offered by a local provider).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A classic Breton coast with strong maritime culture and easy access from Lannion, featuring nearby nature walks and coastal scenery.
Iconic pink-hued granite coastline known for rock formations and walking routes.
Medieval town center featuring timber-framed houses and the Saint-Jean-du-Baly church.
The 'Custom Officers' Path' with panoramic views of the bay and rugged cliffs.
Traditional Breton creperie near the shoreline.
A science and telecommunications park in nearby Pleumeur-Bodou.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Saint-Michel-en-Grève?
The best overall months at Saint-Michel-en-Grève are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Saint-Michel-en-Grève?
Saint-Michel-en-Grève works with SW, W, NW, N winds. Offshore directions are SW, W, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Saint-Michel-en-Grève?
Recommended equipment sizes at Saint-Michel-en-Grève: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 2–10 kts.
What skill level is Saint-Michel-en-Grève suitable for?
Saint-Michel-en-Grève suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.