Beach break · Calvados · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Monday 31 August
Intermediate : Nothing to surf today. Rest those arms.
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Family beach on the Côte Fleurie, backed by the famous Black Cow cliffs. A beach break that works on NW swell at mid to high tide. A beautiful postcard setting for a gentle surf.
Best from September to March, when large Atlantic depressions send a swell into the Channel.
Ideal for starting out or longboarding. Mellow waves, little current, surf school usually nearby.
Easy beach access, parking usually nearby. Ask locally about seasonal currents.
Wear an appropriate wetsuit. Scout the currents before you paddle out. Respect the locals and right-of-way. Check weather and tides.
Houlgate usually works best around mid-tide. The tide shapes the sandbanks and the depth over the reef, so check the day's tide times before your session.
Houlgate is rather accessible to beginners when the waves stay small and the wind is light. Still, check currents, tide and local guidelines before entering.
The ideal wind at Houlgate comes broadly from South: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Houlgate, you can also check conditions at Cabourg, Villers, Ouistreham. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.