Beach Break · Charente Maritime · Intermediate → Charger
Forecast for Monday 31 August
Intermediate : Slim pickings. Only if you're desperate. — Best window: 19h–21h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
A magnificent fallback spot with views over the Maupas lagoon. Long waves, never too fat, with the option to paddle back up the beach. "Crowds on the good days, beautiful people on the beautiful days."
Surfable all year. Autumn (Sep-Nov) is the best season: powerful swells, water still mild, less crowd.
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.
L'embarcadère 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 L'embarcadère comes broadly from North-West: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around L'embarcadère, you can also check conditions at La Tranche, Saint-Vincent, La Faute. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.