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Wissant kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
France · Hauts-de-France
Overview
Wissant is the iconic kitesurf spot of northern France — often called the "Tarifa of the North" — set in the heart of the Grand Site des Deux Caps between Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez. Internationally recognised for its stunning scenery, consistent wind amplified by the cape venturi effect, and quality waves, it attracts riders from France, Belgium, Germany and beyond.
The bay stretches nearly 15 km. SW wind brings the best waves (side-off to side-onshore). NE is also popular: the tidal current runs left-to-right, so it balances the drift. The venturi between the two headlands means wind is often 5-15 knots stronger than the forecast. Classic downwind: 8 km from Wissant to Sangatte along the Blanc-Nez cliffs. Two schools based here. Summer kite zone marked with buoys — respect it strictly.
Spot forecast for Wissant
Sunrise 08:24 · Sunset 18:51
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 5.8 km from the spot.
- Tuesday 20 October Low tide · 3.4 m High tide · 5.9 m Low tide · 5.9 m High tide · 5.9 m Low tide · 3.4 m High tide · 6.1 m
- Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 3.4 m High tide · 6.2 m Low tide · 3.1 m High tide · 6.5 m
- Thursday 22 October Low tide · 3 m High tide · 6.7 m Low tide · 2.6 m High tide · 6.9 m
- Friday 23 October Low tide · 2.5 m High tide · 7.1 m Low tide · 2.1 m
- Saturday 24 October High tide · 7.4 m Low tide · 2 m High tide · 7.5 m Low tide · 1.7 m
Wissant: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
345h
in August · 29.5 rideable days
The season runs from April to September, peaking in August: 27 rideable days a month and 345 hours of usable wind, at 18 °C. The low point is November, at 18 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 54% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 7 °C. The wettest month is September, with 167 mm.
Monthly averages: Wissant
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.5 | 182 h | 7 °C | 90 mm |
| February | 19.5 | 175 h | 9 °C | 112 mm |
| March | 20.0 | 184 h | 11 °C | 45 mm |
| April | 25.5 | 285 h | 13 °C | 56 mm |
| May | 26.0 | 334 h | 16 °C | 69 mm |
| June | 26.5 | 352 h | 19 °C | 71 mm |
| July | 28.0 | 350 h | 21 °C | 71 mm |
| August | 29.5 | 345 h | 21 °C | 60 mm |
| September | 23.5 | 255 h | 18 °C | 167 mm |
| October | 19.0 | 158 h | 15 °C | 92 mm |
| November | 18.0 | 146 h | 11 °C | 105 mm |
| December | 18.5 | 140 h | 9 °C | 69 mm |
Photo gallery of Wissant
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Technical details of Wissant spot
The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Spot functioning map
Local association recommendations
Wimkite School — 1st kitesurf school of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, main base at Wissant (Rue Arlette David / Rue des Flobarts, 62179 Wissant). Since 2005. BPJEPS instructors. Groups 3-4 max. Also operates at Wimereux, Pointe aux Oies and other spots. March-November. wimkite.com
Combokite — international kitesurf school, offers famous 8 km downwind trip Wissant → Sangatte along the Cap Blanc-Nez cliffs. combokite.com
Spot labelled FFVL. Kite zone marked 1 July–31 August (buoys and flags, towards Cap Blanc-Nez).
Spot functioning
Access: from Calais or Boulogne, D940 toward Wissant. Parking fills up quickly in summer — arrive early. Kite zone (1 July–31 August): marked with fixed round buoys and flags, to the right (north) side of the bathing zone towards Cap Blanc-Nez (see sign on the boat ramp). Mandatory kite licence (AF-Kite or FFVL). Large tidal range: at high tide (7m+ coefficient) beach space is limited — check coefficient before going. The best conditions are falling tide SW.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Intermediate
Parking
In summer, the parking lot quickly becomes overcrowded. Arrive early or park further away ;-)
Wind specificities
The ideal wind direction is Southwest with falling tide, to have the wind and current in opposite directions. The current is indeed very strong to the right at rising tide, and very strong to the left at falling tide. The goal is therefore to ride at rising tide with Northeast wind (wind from the right) and the opposite with Southwest wind. The only wind direction where we never ride is southeast, because it's completely offshore and very gusty.
The top sessions are also with very strong South-southwest wind, as we often benefit from a big swell and side-off wind.
Hazards
A shipwreck protrudes about 10 cm from the sandbank in some years at mid-tide (at the boundary between the swimming area and the kite area), not very concerning.
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CAP-GRIS-NEZ5.8 kmsource meteofrance
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Additional stations
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Base de voile Tom Souville de Sangatte12.1 km
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source Pioupiou
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BOULOGNE-SEM17.8 km
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source meteofrance
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