Overview

Le Douhet is one of the most popular kitesurf spots on the Ile d'Oléron, located on the eastern (sheltered) shore facing the continent. The long sandy beach offers excellent flat water conditions in north to northeast winds, with a view of Fort Boyard offshore. The tidal range on the eastern shore creates a wide flat area between tides for about 2 hours — ideal for foiling and freestyle. A well-known spot among locals with free parking and clean facilities.

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Spot forecast for Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet

Sunrise 08:29 · Sunset 19:11

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

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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 0.7 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 06:32 · 2.4 m High tide 12:25 · 4 m Low tide 19:14 · 2.2 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:04 · 3.9 m Low tide 07:38 · 2.2 m High tide 13:29 · 4.2 m Low tide 20:11 · 1.9 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 02:04 · 4.2 m Low tide 08:30 · 1.9 m High tide 14:22 · 4.5 m Low tide 20:57 · 1.5 m
Friday 23 October High tide 02:52 · 4.5 m Low tide 09:14 · 1.5 m High tide 15:08 · 4.8 m Low tide 21:38 · 1.2 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 03:35 · 4.8 m Low tide 09:54 · 1.1 m High tide 15:51 · 5.1 m Low tide 22:16 · 0.9 m

Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet: 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

72h

in August · 12 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are January, August and June, at 12 rideable days and 19 °C. The low point is February, at 8 days.

Kiting is forbidden here from 9h to 19h, between 01/07 and 31/08. Juillet-août : zones de baignade balisées interdites. Kite dans les zones non-réglementées uniquement.

Rideable days per month

Month with time restrictions

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 71%13-20 knots · 28%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 9 °C. The wettest month is February, with 86 mm.

Monthly averages: Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet

Monthly averages — Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	13.5	119 h	9 °C	76 mm
February	8.0	52 h	12 °C	86 mm
March	9.5	86 h	13 °C	59 mm
April	10.0	106 h	16 °C	50 mm
May	9.5	92 h	19 °C	56 mm
June	11.0	89 h	23 °C	35 mm
July hours	10.0	66 h	24 °C	15 mm
August hours	12.0	72 h	24 °C	25 mm
September	8.5	83 h	20 °C	67 mm
October	11.0	110 h	18 °C	73 mm
November	8.5	71 h	14 °C	71 mm
December	8.0	78 h	11 °C	53 mm

Photo gallery of Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet

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Technical details of Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

Arrive at low to mid-tide for the best flat water window (approximately 2 hours around low tide). The east coast of Oléron faces northeast — ideal in north to northeast winds. The wide tidal flat at low tide allows long runs without obstacles. In high tide, the navigable area is reduced but still functional. Avoid the port channel to the north at all times.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Open year-round. Best season: April to October. Busy in summer but the large beach accommodates all users. Best conditions: north to northeast wind at mid to low tide. The east coast of Oléron is more protected from Atlantic swell than the west coast.
Required level: Beginner

On the water

Flat to very slightly choppy water on the eastern tidal flat at low to mid-tide. Sandy bottom, very shallow near the beach (0.5 to 1.5m at low tide extending to 3-4m at high tide). Fort Boyard visible on the horizon. No breaking waves on the sheltered east coast. Tidal current significant during ebb and flood phases.

Parking

Large free parking (2m height limit). Overnight parking possible. Clean public toilets. Accessible from Saint-Georges-d'Oléron via the D126. Services in Saint-Georges-d'Oléron.

Wind specificities

North to northeast winds are optimal at this east-facing beach. The wind blows cross-onshore giving excellent riding conditions. The island creates some shelter from westerly winds — the east coast mainly works in north, northeast and east winds. In summer, thermal patterns can give lighter but consistent northeast breeze. The flat tidal terrain means no topographic turbulence.

Hazards

Port entrance to the north — strictly avoid the channel. Strong tidal currents when the tide drops — exit the water before the ebb becomes too strong. Tide-affected: beach narrows at high tide. Shared with bathers in summer. Check tide tables before each session.

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Saint-Georges-d'Oléron4.5 kmsource infoclimat

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Additional stations

Pointe de Chassiron8.8 km

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CHASSIRON8.9 km

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Ile d Oleron | Le Douhet kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot