Where to go windsurfing on the Opal Coast | The 7 best spots

Looking for a good windsurfing spot to get your thrills. Windsurfers will tell you: everything comes together for exceptional sessions on the beaches of the Opal Coast. From the North Sea to the Channel, the wind, the long stretches of sand, the extraordinary scenery and the weather conditions are all ideal for watersports. Windsurfing especially, which remains hugely popular. To help you find where to set up your gear for maximum thrills, here are a few pointers to discover the best windsurfing spots on the Opal Coast.

Dunkirk

The advantage of Dunkirk is that windsurfing is accessible at every level. The beach is large enough to welcome the many fans of different watersports, including kitesurfing fans. What’s more, an area between the Kursaal and the harbour is ideal for slalom, in a south-south-westerly wind. And if the weather really lets you down, there’s an alternative at the Lac de Puythouck watersports centre (in Grande-Synthe), which offers an enclosed, sheltered stretch of water.

Gravelines

An ideal spot for beginners, with areas sheltered from strong winds. Gravelines’ standout feature is undoubtedly how flat the seabed is, so you can still touch the bottom nearly 2 km out as the tide comes in. The channel is also used for slalom. That said, you need a decent level to handle the gusts, which can blow above force 6 on this stretch.
The little extra: the town of Gravelines has webcams streaming live footage of the water!

Sangatte

Between Calais and Wissant, Sangatte is a very windy spot. What makes it special is its strategic position right behind Cap Blanc-Nez. This gives it almost 5 knots more wind than Wissant, thanks to the cape’s Venturi effect. As a reminder, the Venturi effect is the acceleration of a fluid at a given spot, particularly as it passes through a narrower section (like in an hourglass).
🔺On this large beach you’ll also find breakwater posts, which are dangerous for your gear and for waveriders, who can be swept along by the force of the current. You therefore need a solid level to windsurf here, as it’s probably the windiest spot in the region. Experienced sailors love it. It’s a very good jump spot.

Wissant

Wissant is probably the best-known spot in the Hauts-de-France. With winds from the south-west and north-east, it’s also very windy. Accessible to everyone in moderate wind, it becomes very technical once it picks up. It’s a wave spot, so watch out for the impressive strength of the currents once the wind rises.
This spot has quite a reputation. Conditions here, particularly the sideshore current, call for solid sailing skills.
Wissant hosts the Pryde Wissant Wave Classic every year.

Wimereux

This spot is ideal for jumps when the wind is westerly. Wimereux is well exposed to the swell, so the waves here can be huge. These big conditions are often exactly what people come for. They aren’t dangerous if you know the basics and the safety rules. In fact, the CNW (Wimereux sailing club) runs lessons from age 6 to introduce, teach and improve skills across various watersports.

Le Touquet

Le Touquet is known for how accessible it is. The waves aren’t too rough, thanks in part to the sandbank that shields windsurfers from the swell. What’s more, the Canche estuary is a flat stretch of water, great for training and ideal for building up speed. That’s exactly what people come here for. As with many spots on the Opal Coast, care is needed. The currents can be strong, particularly at the mouth of the estuary on a falling tide.

Berck-sur-Mer

The resort has a major asset, a real pocket of unspoilt nature: the Authie estuary. It’s the playground and home of the famous seal colonies that live there peacefully — as long as you respect their space!
The Berck spot is exposed to wind and swell. With a 1.5 km run, there’s room for everyone. But you do need to know its quirks.
Sailing at very low tide isn’t advised because of the many sandbanks and rocks. The spot is very popular in strong wind, but you then need a good level, as the sea gets very rough. For less experienced sailors, it’s an ideal spot for waves and slalom, in the bay and along the seafront.
The webcam de la baie d’Authie lets you check conditions and tide times in real time.

As you can see, the windsurfing spots of the Opal Coast have some serious qualities. You’ll find every kind of thrill here. Speed, slalom, manoeuvres, jumps and more. Every sailor can find their own kind of fun here. Just remember to stay alert and check the tide times and weather conditions before heading into the waves!

Beaufort Scale