Overview

Gravelines (Petit-Fort-Philippe) is a unique spot on the Côte d'Opale: at high tide with significant tidal coefficients, a natural "petite mer" (small sea) of about 1 km² forms behind the sandbank — shallow, flat, and protected. It's the premier beginner and freestyle spot between Calais and Dunkerque, particularly safe and popular.

Three zones: (1) the "petite mer" — flat water at high tide, ideal for learning and freestyle; (2) the open seaward side — waves and freeride; (3) "La Stèle" — wilder, polyvalent spot accessible at any tide and coefficient. Works from SW to NE via N. SW can be gusty. Parking at the "stèle" monument. A16 exit A23.

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Spot forecast for Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves)

Sunrise 08:21 · Sunset 18:51

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 5.4 km from the spot.

Monday 19 October Low tide 00:50 · 2.5 m High tide 06:31 · 5.2 m Low tide 13:21 · 2.5 m High tide 19:09 · 5.1 m
Tuesday 20 October Low tide 01:57 · 2.7 m High tide 07:45 · 5 m Low tide 14:40 · 2.5 m High tide 21:57 · 5.1 m
Wednesday 21 October Low tide 03:31 · 2.7 m High tide 10:22 · 5.1 m Low tide 16:15 · 2.4 m High tide 22:57 · 5.4 m
Thursday 22 October Low tide 05:00 · 2.4 m High tide 11:15 · 5.5 m Low tide 17:27 · 2 m High tide 23:43 · 5.8 m
Friday 23 October Low tide 06:01 · 2 m High tide 11:58 · 5.9 m Low tide 18:21 · 1.6 m

Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves): when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

385h

in July · 30.5 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in July: 28 rideable days a month and 385 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is November, at 18 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 59%13-20 knots · 37%21-30 knots · 3%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 59% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 7 °C. The wettest month is September, with 134 mm.

Monthly averages: Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves)

Monthly averages — Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves) — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	21.5	203 h	7 °C	89 mm
February	22.5	217 h	9 °C	81 mm
March	21.5	204 h	12 °C	52 mm
April	27.5	326 h	14 °C	43 mm
May	27.5	356 h	16 °C	45 mm
June	28.0	389 h	20 °C	47 mm
July	30.5	385 h	21 °C	65 mm
August	29.5	354 h	22 °C	50 mm
September	25.5	274 h	19 °C	134 mm
October	20.5	172 h	15 °C	86 mm
November	18.0	146 h	11 °C	83 mm
December	20.5	176 h	9 °C	51 mm

Photo gallery of Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves)

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Technical details of Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves) spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Depending on conditions: ENE, E, SSW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Local association recommendations

Trip'n Kite Gravelines — local kitesurf community and guide for the Gravelines spot. Spot documentation, webcam, weather links. tripnkite-gravelines.com

Spot labelled FFVL. Access: A16 exit A23, direction Gravelines. Parking at the stèle.

Spot functioning

Access: A16 exit A23, direction Gravelines, then "Centre aquacole". Parking at the stèle (300m walk to the spot). Petite mer (flat): only at high tide with coefficient 70+. La Stèle: accessible any tide. Front de mer (waves): accessible but requires low tide walk. Check tide tables carefully.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Beginner

Wind specificities

SW to NE via N: full range works. NW to NE: best for the petite mer (flat). SW: gusty, waves on the open sea side. SE: offshore — avoid. Petite mer (flat) only accessible at high tide with significant coefficient — plan sessions around tide tables. La Stèle: works any tide, any coefficient.

Hazards

"Petite mer" flat zone disappears at low tide — strictly tidal (high tide only for flat water). Outside (seaward side of the sandbank): waves and stronger currents — more technical. Crowded on weekends in good conditions. Industrial area nearby (nuclear power station visible) — no safety restrictions but swim with awareness. SW wind can be gusty.

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Additional stations

Calais Arpt13.1 km

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source aviationweather.gov
DUNKERQUE15.9 km

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source meteofrance

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Webcams near Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves)

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Gravelines - Petit-Fort-Philippe (Flat & Waves) kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

Overview