About

Beautiful place to surf (but NOT ALONE !) and to have a walk with your family. You can walk atop the lighthouse in summer (bring some money) and in winter phone before you go, to make sure it open to public.

BONUS : southward, there is another spot called "Les huttes", which is renowed to be the best of the island among lifeguards...and i tell you what, being a former lifeguard and a surfer it is, also, for surfers. Check "Les huttes", on this very web site...
Beware of fishermens nets.

Atmosphere:
Great place and a solid surfing experience required : no lifeguards on duty around..
The first and only time i broke a fin because of shallow waters was here. Locals here, as in most parts of the island, are sympathetic and will welcome you if you don't bring 40 friends at a time... just smile and say hello.
On the other side, even if it's not your first time here : DO NOT, i repeat : DO NOT SURF ALONE.

Additional Info:
At high tide, you probably won't see anythig but the swell lines. Come at low tide : that's when it happens. It seems that the whole ocean gets 1 kilometer away and you have to walk on the rocky bottom to check the surf. Waves everywhere "around" the point.
Have a talk with locals and ask them to show you what to do and where to go, if there's any...
Because the place is a bit dangerous and the bigger the swell, the more dangerous it is.
It is SHALLOW WITH ROCK ! Bring a helmet if possible and don't try to go for a swim.
Also, bring your booties, anytime, to walk to the waves and to protect your feet while surfing.
DO NOT fall head first.
Contrarily to most spots on the island, this is a surf-only place : no swimming, no bodysurfing,
especially for children. (if you, and only you, want to crush yourself on the reef, it's up to you!)
If you don't want to drift to La Rochelle city :
GO AWAY BEFORE RISING TIDE !

Location

Access

Take the bridge to Oléron island and head North, toward "St Denis" and the Chassiron point and lighthouse.
Follow the roadsigns to Chassiron point, once you see the lighthouse (withe + black stripes), park the car and go for a look...
Check the South (left) side of the point on average/low swells; in case of an average/big swell, have a look at the North (right) of the point.
Whatever the size of the swell, even if your friends call you Slater and/or Brian Kehaulana :
DO NOT SURF ALONE !

If you owe a boat, don't fool yourself : you're in the bay of Biscay here, and at the Chassiron Straight too.
So, let the boat at La Rochelle or La Cotinière and get a car !

Wave Characteristics

Ideal Conditions

Crowd

Dangers

Urchins, Rips / undertow

Videos

None