Beach break · Charente Maritime · Beginner → Advanced
Forecast for Monday 31 August
Intermediate : Dark out. Tomorrow looks good — aim for 6h. — Best window: 19h–21h
Today's score by level (at the day's best, out of 100)
Right next to downtown Royan, a spot well sheltered from the big winter swells and from the wind. Other fallback spots worth checking nearby.
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.
Pontaillac 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 Pontaillac comes broadly from East: it's offshore, which helps shape and hold the waves. A strong onshore wind generally degrades conditions.
Around Pontaillac, you can also check conditions at Royan, Saint-Palais, Saint-Georges. Compare the scores, wind and swell direction before choosing where to surf.