Yport
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Yport (Normandy) is known for a classic, exposed left-hand reef break that wraps around a rocky platform at the base of the cliffs. When it’s on, surfers can expect long, peeling rides, typically described in the ~50–150 m range, with longer sessions on the best days. Wave quality is frequently characterized as good/“regional classic,” but conditions are inherently technical because of the reef and pebble/shingle entry. Timing and tide matter. Multiple sources converge on low-to-mid tide as the best window, with additional guidance suggesting improved performance as the tide rises from low to mid. The spot can take larger swell, and one account notes the wave can hold bigger sizes but becomes more challenging as it approaches the cliff face at higher tides—so “bigger” isn’t always “better” for safety and consistency. Wind tends to come with west to south-west frontal patterns and the spot can be influenced by wind shadow effects from the cliffs (with notes that south/south-west can create localized changes in wind behavior). When SW winds are aligned with the local protection, glassier conditions may occur. Overall, wind reliability is described as moderate, and the spot is best approached with offshore-side wind awareness and a plan for changing conditions. Safety is a major consideration at Yport. Sharp rocks/submerged reef features and slippery pebbles raise the risk during entry and warm-up, and a rip current running toward Fécamp is explicitly called out as always in play. Additional caution is advised for wave impact near the cliff line and for shore-break/dump effects on the pebble beach at higher tide. There are no on-the-spot rescue guarantees described in the spot-level material, though nearby medical resources are noted in Fécamp.
- Long wrapping left-hand reef wave
- Works around low and mid tide
- Cliff base setting with wind/shadow effects
- Rip currents toward Fécamp and rocky entry are key hazards
- Long, wrapping left-hand reef wave with good wave quality when working.
- Generally accessible on foot from the village area with nearby parking.
- Often less crowded than nearby well-known alternatives (weekdays described as empty/very quiet).
- Exposed location with technical entry over rocks/pebbles.
- Rip currents toward Fécamp are reported as always in play.
- Currents and proximity to cliffs add risk, especially around higher tides.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, NW, SW, S, SSW, SSE
- Offshore directions
- SW, S
- No-go directions
- S
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Winds are commonly described as frontal (west to north-west / west to south-west patterns depending on the period).
- Reliability
- medium
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Pointe de Chicard / cliff base creates a wind shadow and can affect cleanliness of the wind depending on direction (noted for south or south-west winds).
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Pebble — One source describes sand; another describes pebble/pebble beach with pebbles and submerged rocks. Treat as pebble/shingle coastal entry overall.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Working swell starts around 1.5–2.0 m (with holds up to 2 m+); optimal window also given around 1.5–2.5 m.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Glassy conditions may occur with SW alignment due to cliff protection; otherwise exposed conditions can contribute to chop.
- Launch
- Small — Shingle/pebble beach entry; navigating onto submerged rocks is required.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; busier during weekends and holidays/peak summer periods.
Rain is possible year-round; most frequent precipitation and storm systems occur from late October through February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Long, wrapping left-hand reef wave breaking over a rocky reef/platform at the base of the cliffs. On bigger days, a smaller right wave can appear inside.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Commonly described as working best at low and mid tide. Some guidance also mentions a rising tide as beneficial (low to mid).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as exposed, with waves breaking at the cliff base; nearby cliffs influence local wind and wave behavior.
- Wind Effect
- Glassy conditions with SW winds due to Pointe de Chicard protection; SW/S winds described as providing cleaner offshore tendencies in some conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold larger swell, but it becomes more challenging near the cliff face as conditions rise/high tides approach.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Also described as 'regional classic' wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Also described as ordinary/fun power in other spot guidance.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can break for up to about 100 meters; other guidance mentions typical 50–150 m and longer (150–300 m) on very good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides described around 50–150 m; one source gives up to ~100 m, with longer rides (150–300 m) noted on exceptional days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Yport in the full forecast view.
Yport wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–27 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- SW228°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2527 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–3.2 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Yport is forecast for daytime winds of 6–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.2–3.2 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- rip currents toward Fécamp
- rocks / sharp submerged rocks
- reef/rock bottom with submerged rocks
- slippery pebbles
- waves near cliffs (Pointe de Chicard proximity)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level results indicate no rescue availability. Region-level notes suggest rescue services are managed by SNSM with nearby stations, but this is not presented as guaranteed on-site rescue for the spot itself.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital located in Fécamp. In France: 112 (universal emergency number), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mentioned as mild localism; standard respect for the peak is advised.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies; respect the local peak.
- Beware of the rip running toward Fécamp; it is always in play.
- Shingle/pebble entry requires care; sharp rocks can be a problem (especially around low tide).
- Be careful of shore dump on the pebble beach at high tide.
- Positioning matters: best results described around low to mid tide (and elsewhere as low-to-mid on rising).
- If conditions are SW, note the wind can become glassy due to cliff protection, but hazards near the cliff remain.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Fécamp
- Nearest Town
- Yport
- Parking
- Easy parking in front of the break; carpark directly above the shingle beach. Public parking near the beachfront can get crowded during summer weekends.
- Access
- Park in the carpark directly above the shingle/pebble beach; access is instant (<5 min walk). Access via the village and the beach promenade is also described.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Hotels and guesthouses within Yport village; camping available nearby.
- Food & Drink
- Basic options in Yport; more food and supplies in Fécamp nearby; restaurants and cafes within walking distance are mentioned.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated surf rentals at the beach; equipment rental is suggested to be sourced elsewhere (e.g., bring your own gear).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Yport coast sits on the dramatic Alabaster Coast (limestone cliffs) and mixes an authentic fishing-village atmosphere with access to nearby visitor highlights, especially for walkers and scenic coastal trips.
World-famous naturally arched chalk cliffs and needle formations.
An architectural masterpiece in Fécamp where the famous Bénédictine liqueur is produced.
Long-distance coastal path running along the top of the Alabaster Coast cliffs.
Local seafood restaurant with views of the Yport beachfront.
A small seaside casino and entertainment venue characteristic of the Norman coast.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Yport?
The best overall months at Yport are September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Yport?
Yport works with W, NW, SW, S, SSW, SSE winds. Offshore directions are SW, S. No-go directions are S.
What skill level is Yport suitable for?
Yport suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.