France · Pays de la Loire
46.60 | -1.85
Plage des Dunes is the main kitesurf spot at Les Sables d'Olonne, on the Vendée Atlantic coast. A 300m wide designated kite zone with a technical area on the beach. No rocks — sandy bottom throughout. Significant wave and lateral current at the water's edge. The zone is free and unorganised off-season, officially buoyed in July and August. At high tide the beach narrows significantly — prefer low tide for launching. Access via the marked path, 200m walk from the car park (2m height barrier). FFVL-labelled spot.
The season runs from March to August, peaking in May: 28 rideable days a month and 368 hours of usable wind, at 19 °C. The low point is February, at 20.7 days.
Kiting is forbidden here from 9h to 19h, between 01/07 and 31/08. Haute saison : baigneurs et plagistes présents dans la zone — respecter la distance de sécurité. Zone technique à dégager avec courtoisie.
*Month with time restrictions 16-22 knots · 56% 22-30 knots · 36% 30-40 knots · 7% 40+ knots · 1%
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 16 and 22 knots — 56% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 9 °C. The wettest month is November, with 61 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 | 24.0 | 202 h | 9 °C | 22 mm |
| February | 20.7 | 192 h | 10 °C | 21 mm |
| March | 27.0 | 295 h | 12 °C | 48 mm |
| April | 26.3 | 291 h | 14 °C | 29 mm |
| May | 29.3 | 368 h | 19 °C | 27 mm |
| June | 28.7 | 331 h | 21 °C | 10 mm |
| July hours | 28.0 | 332 h | 22 °C | 13 mm |
| August hours | 28.7 | 295 h | 23 °C | 14 mm |
| September | 25.7 | 260 h | 21 °C | 26 mm |
| October | 24.7 | 229 h | 18 °C | 58 mm |
| November | 23.3 | 213 h | 14 °C | 61 mm |
| December | 23.7 | 207 h | 10 °C | 34 mm |
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Access to Plage des Dunes 2. Car park with 2m height barrier — park alongside the road if needed. Access to the beach and kite zone via the marked path, approximately 200m walk — zone is on the left. At high tide there is no space to launch — always favour low tide. Zone is 300m wide with a matching 300m technical area on the beach. In summer, politely ask beachgoers to clear the technical zone — this generally works well.
Open all year round
Open year-round. Kite zone marked with buoys July-August. No access restrictions out of season. Best season May to October. North to northwest sea breeze typical in summer afternoons.
Intermediate
Atlantic beach with waves and a lateral current at the water's edge — not a flat water spot. Sandy bottom, no rocks. Moderate swell in westerly conditions. Tidal range significant — the beach is wide at low tide and very narrow at high tide. Best sessions at low to mid-tide.
Northwest sea breeze is the signature wind — arrives side-on starboard, clean and reliable in summer afternoons. North-northwest and south-southeast also work well. South and southwest provide wave conditions. The wide Atlantic fetch gives powerful and consistent wind. Summer thermal cycle builds from midday.
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