Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) is an exposed Atlantic beach spot in Brittany with generally clear water and a broad sandy shoreline that supports progression—especially for kitesurfing. Conditions for surfing are described as consistent beach-break waves with good quality and a peeling shape, and sessions are commonly best around higher water. For kitesurfing, the spot is typically associated with west to north-west wind directions, and it can also work with south-east winds (often with smaller surf/wave energy). Wind strength is commonly reported in the low-to-mid twenties range, and kites are often selected around mid-to-large sizes in summer and smaller sizes when winds strengthen. Despite the spacious beach, keep an eye on shore break and tide-driven changes to available water depth. Safety is a recurring theme: the shore break can become powerful at high tide, and there can be surfer congestion in the lineup. Additional hazards mentioned include possible rip currents and rocks toward the northern end near the point. Plan around tide and avoid crossing into swimmer/surf zones in summer; kite practice is restricted to a north beach zone toward Kerhillio. Overall, the spot is well-regarded in the region for both kitesurfing and surfing, with strong natural consistency. Lifeguards are seasonal, and emergency access is available via general emergency numbers; for maritime rescue, the regional SNSM system is referenced in the wider area.
- Wide sandy beach with crystal-clear water
- NW/W winds favored for kitesurfing
- Surfable exposed beach break with peeling waves
- Summer kite practice zone restricted to the north beach area toward Kerhillio
- Very wide sandy beach for kitesurfing with crystal-clear water
- Exposed, consistent Atlantic conditions with peeling waves for surfing
- Works in a range of wind directions depending on sport; NW/W winds are favored for kitesurfing
- Nearby access and parking are reported as easy
- Wind reliability is not consistently high
- Shore break can be powerful at high tide
- Space can be reduced when the tide rises
- Rip-currents possible and surfer congestion can occur
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal-driven / gradient winds; can be reinforced by sea-breeze conditions on sunny afternoons.
- Reliability
- limited
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described as light-gusts in some conditions.
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
- Shadow Zones
- some turbulence possible close to shore with northerly components
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand bottom and sandy shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as medium depending on swell.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with gradual slope; tidal flats can create a lagoon-like shallower area at low tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy launch with gradual slope; shallow water at low tide can create an easier entry.
Through the year
Busy in July and August; quieter during weekdays in the off-season.
Late autumn and winter (November to February) often bring major Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A consistent kite spot on a wide sandy beach. Best in north-west to west/north-west conditions; can also work with south-east winds (often yielding smaller waves). Shore break can be powerful at high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Works for freeride and wave riding when conditions align; kitesurfing is more prevalent on the main beach.
Can be good when there is sufficient depth; mid to high tide helps avoid long walk-outs on shallower periods.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly when depth is adequate.
- Min Depth
- deep-after-the-shore-break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed Atlantic beach break with consistent, peeling waves. Works best around higher water in many sessions.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, Mid — High tide favored in several references; another reference notes mid tide as optimal.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open beach/ocean exposure; not sheltered from Atlantic conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Best described as offshore with east-northeast or southeast winds; wind direction strongly affects cleanliness and comfort.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to about 3m+ in some conditions, but very large swells may trend toward closeout.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides about 50 to 150 meters; can extend to roughly 150 to 300 meters on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) in the full forecast view.
Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–25 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- WSW239°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2425 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–2.6 m9s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–25 kts, peaking around 25 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.5–2.6 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
- Powerful shore break at high tide
- Surfer congestion
- Rip-currents possible
- Scattered rocks at the northern end near the point
- Tidal flats / rapidly changing water depth
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards (notably during July and August).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-level sources mention limited rescue availability, while regional context notes maritime rescue coverage via SNSM and emergency services via 112/196.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital reported in Auray or Lorient; emergency services can be reached via 112. Regional sea-rescue is managed by SNSM (stations in Quiberon and Carnac).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism referenced; surf/crowd described as relatively few surfers even on good days.
Rules of the spot
Surfers are present; kiters must avoid and respect them. In summer, practice is restricted to a designated north beach zone toward Kerhillio; follow seasonal water-use zones.
- Protected dunes must not be walked on (seasonal restrictions may apply).
- Kite zone authorized only on the north part of the beach toward Kerhillio in summer.
- Check tide conditions before sessions due to significant depth changes and narrow beach space at full high tide.
- Use designated kite/summer zones; avoid areas reserved for swimmers or surfers.
- Practice caution with the shore break at high tide and give space to surfers.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Vannes
- Nearest Town
- Plouharnel
- Nearest Airport
- Lorient Bretagne Sud Airport (LRT)
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach; free parking and easy access even on crowded days (large dirt and sand lots reported).
- Public Transport
- regional bus connections year-round; summer train service between Auray and Quiberon is noted in the region
- Access
- From Vannes, drive west on N165 to Auray, then southwest on D768 to Plouharnel. Continue northwest to Sainte-Barbe village and follow signs to the ocean.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several campsites and guesthouses nearby, including within Plouharnel.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars near the parking; more options in Plouharnel town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental reported through local surf school operations (surfboard and wetsuit rentals referenced).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Quiberon Peninsula and sheltered bay area.
Museum of the History of the Battle of Quiberon (1795).
Coastal hiking on the GR34.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes)?
The best overall months at Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) are January, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes)?
Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) works with N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) suitable for?
Sainte-Barbe (Les Crevettes) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.