Beach break · Charente-Maritime · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Tuesday 1 September
Intermediate : Looking good — aim for 8h. — Best window: 8h–10h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
West-facing beach on Île de Ré. Consistent, hollow and powerful waves, best at mid tide. Access from the Baleines lighthouse car park. A rare quality spot on the island.
Surfable all year. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best season: powerful swells, water still mild, less crowd.
Good level required. You can stand, paddle and read a peak. When it fires, better know what you're doing.
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.
Conche des Baleines is rather recommended for intermediate surfers. If you're a beginner, prefer a surf school, a small swell and a suitable tide, or look for a more sheltered nearby spot.
The ideal wind at Conche des Baleines comes broadly from North: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Conche des Baleines, you can also check conditions at Le Lizay, Trousse Chemise, La Couarde. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.