Overview

Pointe Saint-Gildas is an advanced kitesurf spot at the exposed cape at the south entrance to the Loire estuary, facing the Pays de Retz coast. Strong wind acceleration around the headland. Works in southwest to northwest wind. Advanced level — strong tidal currents, rocky zones, no rescue services. Unforgettable scenery with the Loire estuary on one side and the open Atlantic on the other.

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Spot forecast for Pointe Saint-Gildas

Sunrise 08:34 · Sunset 19:13

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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 1.1 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:00 · 3.5 m Low tide 06:59 · 2.3 m High tide 12:40 · 3.8 m Low tide 19:44 · 2.1 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:32 · 3.7 m Low tide 08:05 · 2.1 m High tide 13:52 · 4 m Low tide 20:38 · 1.8 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 02:29 · 4 m Low tide 08:54 · 1.8 m High tide 14:41 · 4.3 m Low tide 21:20 · 1.4 m
Friday 23 October High tide 03:09 · 4.3 m Low tide 09:34 · 1.4 m High tide 15:21 · 4.7 m Low tide 21:57 · 1.1 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 03:46 · 4.7 m Low tide 10:11 · 1.1 m High tide 15:59 · 5 m Low tide 22:32 · 0.8 m

Pointe Saint-Gildas: 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

393h

in June · 29.5 rideable days

The season runs from May to September, peaking in June: 28 rideable days a month and 393 hours of usable wind, at 20 °C. The low point is December, at 18 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 46%13-20 knots · 40%21-30 knots · 13%31+ knots · 2%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 46% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 8 °C. The wettest month is January, with 110 mm.

Monthly averages: Pointe Saint-Gildas

Monthly averages — Pointe Saint-Gildas — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	18.5	181 h	8 °C	110 mm
February	20.0	217 h	10 °C	71 mm
March	23.0	238 h	12 °C	45 mm
April	23.5	295 h	15 °C	42 mm
May	28.0	350 h	18 °C	45 mm
June	29.5	393 h	20 °C	31 mm
July	29.5	409 h	21 °C	39 mm
August	26.5	312 h	22 °C	14 mm
September	26.0	301 h	19 °C	57 mm
October	19.5	191 h	17 °C	88 mm
November	20.5	197 h	14 °C	72 mm
December	18.0	167 h	10 °C	47 mm

Photo gallery of Pointe Saint-Gildas

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Technical details of Pointe Saint-Gildas spot

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

Depending on conditions: NNE, SSE.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot functioning

Access from Préfailles via the D96 to the Pointe Saint-Gildas car park. Carefully identify rocky areas before launching — some sections near the tip are hazardous. Best at mid-tide. Strong tidal currents from the Loire — much stronger at spring tides. Never ride alone.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Open year-round. Best season April to October. Southwest to northwest winds most reliable spring and autumn. The cape is a natural monument with walking paths — busy with hikers in good weather.
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Exposed cape with significant tidal currents from the Loire estuary. Rocky areas near the point — sandy sections must be identified. Swell from southwest to northwest. Chaotic sea state when wind opposes tidal current. Atlantic ocean side gives clean swell conditions. Loire estuary side gives choppier, current-dominated water.

Wind specificities

The headland creates significant wind acceleration — 15 knots in open water can become 20-25 at the tip. Southwest to northwest are dominant. The cape position gives full Atlantic fetch with long oceanic swell. Very consistent and powerful conditions when it's on. The Loire estuary proximity means wind-over-current effects can be intense.

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Additional stations

Saint-Brevin-les-Pins14.1 km

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source infoclimat
Pornichet16 km

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source FFVL

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Schools, shops and places to stay nearby

Directory: France

Nearby spots

All spots: Pays de la Loire

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Pointe Saint-Gildas kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot