Overview

The Phare des Baleines is the iconic kitesurf spot at the northwest tip of the Ile de Ré, facing the Atlantic ocean. The historic lighthouse (1682) marks the wild and exposed tip of the island where west and northwest winds arrive with full ocean power. The spot benefits from an excellent wind window and is one of the most scenic locations on the Charente-Maritime coast. Requires intermediate to advanced level due to tidal currents and Atlantic exposure.

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Spot forecast for ile de re | phares des baleines

Sunrise 08:30 · Sunset 19:11

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 0.6 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:11 · 3.5 m Low tide 06:39 · 2.3 m High tide 12:43 · 3.8 m Low tide 19:23 · 2.1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:27 · 3.7 m Low tide 07:46 · 2.1 m High tide 13:48 · 4 m Low tide 20:19 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 02:23 · 4 m Low tide 08:37 · 1.7 m High tide 14:37 · 4.3 m Low tide 21:04 · 1.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 03:06 · 4.3 m Low tide 09:19 · 1.4 m High tide 15:19 · 4.6 m Low tide 21:43 · 1.1 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 03:45 · 4.6 m Low tide 09:58 · 1.1 m High tide 15:59 · 4.9 m Low tide 22:20 · 0.8 m

ile de re | phares des baleines: 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

300h

in August · 30 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in August: 27 rideable days a month and 300 hours of usable wind, at 20 °C. The low point is December, at 14 days.

Kiting is forbidden here from 9h to 19h, between 01/07 and 31/08. Juillet-août : zones de baignade balisées interdites sur les plages de la pointe. Plage très fréquentée.

Rideable days per month

Month with time restrictions

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 42%13-20 knots · 43%21-30 knots · 13%31+ knots · 2%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 13 and 20 knots — 43% of rideable hours. That is the most versatile range, where most kites work. The coldest month is January, at 9 °C. The wettest month is September, with 92 mm.

Monthly averages: ile de re | phares des baleines

Monthly averages — ile de re | phares des baleines — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	17.0	161 h	9 °C	82 mm
February	17.0	168 h	11 °C	75 mm
March	18.0	177 h	13 °C	60 mm
April	23.0	244 h	16 °C	44 mm
May	27.0	331 h	18 °C	46 mm
June	29.0	365 h	22 °C	19 mm
July hours	29.0	370 h	22 °C	19 mm
August hours	30.0	300 h	23 °C	26 mm
September	23.5	257 h	20 °C	92 mm
October	17.5	163 h	18 °C	80 mm
November	17.0	152 h	14 °C	80 mm
December	14.0	127 h	11 °C	44 mm

Photo gallery of ile de re | phares des baleines

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Technical details of ile de re | phares des baleines spot

The spot works with winds from SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Depending on conditions: N, S.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot functioning

Self-organised spot with no formal infrastructure. Launch from the beach areas near the lighthouse, choosing the most sheltered section based on wind direction. Best conditions at mid to low tide when the beach is wider. The tip of the island creates wind acceleration effects — check conditions carefully before committing.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Open year-round. Best conditions: May to October. West and northwest winds are most reliable in spring and autumn. In summer, thermal west wind provides consistent afternoon sessions.
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Atlantic beach with waves of 0.3 to 1.5m at the exposed tip. Sandy bottom near the beach, rocky sections near the lighthouse. Tidal currents around the tip of the island can be significant at peak tide. Flat water on the eastern (sheltered) side of the tip in west and northwest winds.

Parking

Parking near the Phare des Baleines, accessible from Saint-Clément-des-Baleines via the D735. Facilities in Saint-Clément village (restaurants, shops). The lighthouse area is a tourist site — very busy in summer.

Wind specificities

The tip of the Ile de Ré is fully exposed to west and northwest winds with no obstacles. Wind acceleration is notable around the cape. Northwest wind is slightly offshore on the south beach and onshore on the north beach — choose accordingly. Thermal west wind builds reliably in summer afternoons. Wind is generally clean and well-formed due to the long oceanic fetch.

Hazards

Tide-affected spot — the beach can be very narrow at high tide. Strong tidal currents at the tip of the island. Rocky areas near the lighthouse. The Atlantic swell is fully exposed at this northwest tip. No lifeguard service. Offshore wind risk in northeast conditions — check carefully before launching.

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