Beach break · Manche · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Sunday 30 August
Intermediate : Nothing to surf today. Rest those arms.
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Immense sandy beach backed by a vast wild dune system stretching about 6 km. Best on a NW swell. Uncrowded and preserved — a breath of fresh air on the Cotentin coast.
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.
Pirou 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.
Pirou 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 Pirou comes broadly from South: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Pirou, you can also check conditions at Coutainville, Carteret, Hatainville. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.