France · Hauts-de-France
50.54 | 1.60
The Baie de la Canche is one of the best flat water kitesurf spots in northern France, located at the mouth of the Canche estuary, at the northern end of Le Touquet's famous 11 km beach. The Canche estuary creates a natural basin sheltered from the swell by a sandbank — excellent flat water for freestyle and freeride. On the seaward side of the bank, nice waves with W/SW/NW winds and outgoing tide.
Le Touquet beach is divided into three zones: South (caution at high tide near buildings, shipwreck, drainage pipe), Centre (bathing only — forbidden for kitesurfing), North / Baie de Canche (preferred for kite — obstacle-free, dunes behind). Best conditions from autumn to spring; summer is lighter. NW is the optimal direction. SW possible with waves. Multiple kitesurf schools present on site.
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
The season runs from April to September, peaking in August: 23 rideable days a month and 269 hours of usable wind, at 18 °C. The low point is March, at 16 days.
7-12 knots · 76% 13-20 knots · 23% 21-30 knots · 1%
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 76% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 6 °C. The wettest month is September, with 144 mm. Bar height is the month's rideable days; the split shows how its wind hours break down by strength.
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18.5 | 163 h | 6 °C | 106 mm |
| February | 18.5 | 183 h | 9 °C | 112 mm |
| March | 16.0 | 143 h | 12 °C | 45 mm |
| April | 22.0 | 222 h | 14 °C | 57 mm |
| May | 22.5 | 259 h | 16 °C | 68 mm |
| June | 23.5 | 295 h | 19 °C | 56 mm |
| July | 22.5 | 256 h | 20 °C | 84 mm |
| August | 24.5 | 269 h | 22 °C | 52 mm |
| September | 21.5 | 228 h | 18 °C | 144 mm |
| October | 18.0 | 149 h | 15 °C | 92 mm |
| November | 18.0 | 143 h | 11 °C | 109 mm |
| December | 17.0 | 140 h | 8 °C | 78 mm |
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
KiteZone 62 — kitesurf school at Le Touquet, operates on the north zone and Baie de Canche. Max 4 students, all levels. kitezone.fr
KiteSurf Session — kitesurf school at Le Touquet. kitesurfsession.com
KiteCamp62 — kitesurf school at Stella Plage (Le Touquet). kitecamp62.com
From Paris: 2h30 by car. Follow signs for "Basse Nautique Nord" to reach the north zone / Baie de Canche. For the south zone: "Basse Nautique Sud." Flat water basin in the Canche estuary: preferably on a rising tide, as the sandbank (which shelters the flat water zone) disappears at high tide. Open sea navigation possible on the bank's seaward side, but avoid SW (offshore).
Open all year round
Beginner
Works from S to N via W (all westerly quadrant). NW is the optimal direction: side-onshore, flat water in the Canche basin, small waves on the sea side. SW: possible with beautiful waves on the bank's seaward side, but careful — this wind direction is offshore in the basin! NE/E: offshore — forbidden for open sea navigation. With NE/E, navigate inside the Canche river if water is present.
Basin available mainly on rising tide (sandbank emerges). Flat water level in the Canche: exceptional quality for freestyle, beginner progression and technical practice. In autumn-winter, wind is consistent and often strong (30+ knots possible).
The key advantage of the Baie de Canche basin is the sandbank that shelters it — this bank is only visible outside high tide, so the flat water zone disappears near high tide. The current linked to the tide can be sometimes powerful, both in the Canche estuary and on the open sea side of the bank. With SW wind, navigation is offshore — high risk if you have a problem, rescue is difficult.
Do not confuse the Canche basin (flat, protected) with the open sea side of the bank (choppy, currents). Perfectly choose your orientation: with SW, you go offshore on the open sea side. Many kiteboarders have ended up stranded on the far bank — long walk back!
If you notice any outdated information:
Suggest an editLive data from Fort-Mahon - Plage weather station (wind, gusts, history) is reserved for Premium members.
Already a Premium member? Log in
Loading webcams...
Comments 0
Login to commentNo comments yet.