Located in the Channel on the French side, Etretat is a fun left-breaking reef break that serves up some powerful waves when the swell is on. The waves here are challenging to surf and break for up to 100 metres (328 feet) over a rock bottom. It’s right next to the world-famous rock formation “L’Aiguille Creuse.”
What are the best surf conditions for Etretat?
It gets good from waist-high to double overhead. We recommend riding a shortboard here when the waves are good. This break is suitable for all levels of surfers. The surf here is not very consistent (3/10) and can get quite crowded (8/10). The best winds are from the south. The best swells are from the southwest and west. It works best on mid-tides.
We recommend wearing a 4/3 wetsuit in the summer when water temperatures rise to 16°C (61°F). In winter, a 4/3 wetsuit is also recommended when temperatures drop to 10°C (50°F). See the temperature chart below for more data on this.
