Map › France › La Tranche-sur-Mer (Vendée) › Chatelaillon-Plage
Nouvelle-Aquitaine · La Rochelle / Aunis, Charente-Maritime · Charente-Maritime
Chatelaillon-Plage
also known as Châtelaillon Plage, Grande Plage de Chatelaillon
Nearby Aytre Plage 6 km · Boyardville 15 km · Rivedoux Plage Nord 16 km · Plage de la Gautrelle 18 km · Plage de Plaisance 19 km · La Faute-sur-Mer - Pointe d'Arcay 28 km · Banc du Bucheron 35 km · La Tranche-sur-Mer 41 km · Le Veillon 60 km · Bretignolles-sur-Mer - Plage des Dunes 2 83 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
No onset time is published for this spot.
The wind
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
mixed
Typical strength
10-22
Thermal or synoptic
thermal and synoptic
Also on record
12
The quiver, in words
No local quiver is published. Indicative for 75-85 kg across the 10-22 kt working range: 12-14 m on the light spring days, 9-10 m in a solid 16-18 kt west-sector breeze, 7-8 m once it pushes past 20.
Direction to shore
N, S, SW and NW are recommended; NW to SW are often side-shore from the left and N or S are more onshore in the protected bay. Exact beach-angle labels are unconfirmed.
Dominant direction
N, S, SW, W, NW
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan47
- Feb49
- Mar63
- Apr, riders' month50
- May, riders' month49
- Jun, riders' month30
- Jul, riders' month48
- Aug, riders' month38
- Sep, riders' month51
- Oct52
- Nov58
- Dec58
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
- 12Jan9°
- 12Feb9°
- 13Mar11°
- 12Apr14°
- 11May17°
- 10Jun21°
- 11Jul22°
- 11Aug23°
- 11Sep22°
- 12Oct18°
- 14Nov14°
- 12Dec10°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47% | 12.1 kt | NE | 6.7°C | 9°C |
| Feb | 49% | 12.2 kt | WSW | 8.3°C | 8.7°C |
| Mar | 63% | 12.9 kt | WSW | 10.3°C | 10.6°C |
| Apr | 50% | 12.3 kt | WSW | 12.1°C | 13.9°C |
| May | 49% | 11.1 kt | W | 16.2°C | 17.4°C |
| Jun | 30% | 10.3 kt | W | 19.8°C | 21.4°C |
| Jul | 48% | 11.1 kt | WNW | 20.8°C | 22.4°C |
| Aug | 38% | 10.6 kt | NW | 21.5°C | 23.1°C |
| Sep | 51% | 11.3 kt | WSW | 18.5°C | 21.5°C |
| Oct | 52% | 12.3 kt | SSE | 16.4°C | 18.4°C |
| Nov | 58% | 13.7 kt | WSW | 11.6°C | 13.9°C |
| Dec | 58% | 12.4 kt | NE | 8°C | 9.7°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
sea
Standing depth
You have your feet down across most of the rideable bay on small and medium tidal coefficients. On a big coefficient at low water the sea is 100-200 m out and you carry the gear over mud and shell to reach it.
Tides
Ride high tide. The sea goes out a long way, and at low water on a big coefficient you walk 100-200 m over mud to reach it.
Temperature
20.6°C summer · 9.7°C winter
Wetsuit
Use a full suit most of the year; summer water around La Rochelle averages about 20-21 C, while winter averages under 10 C.
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
3 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: Long sandy beach, but the kite area is constrained by bathers, summer ban reports, wavebreakers and shellfish/oyster areas.
Somewhere else
Aytre Plage, 6 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
The signposted kite zone is at the south end of the 3 km beach, before the dike, with several accesses off the seafront boulevard. The school moves onto the south beach in summer. Launch size follows the tide.
Space
Long sandy beach, but the kite area is constrained by bathers, summer ban reports, wavebreakers and shellfish/oyster areas.
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Treat 15 June to 15 September, 9:00 to 19:00, as closed to kites unless the mairie or the lifeguard post confirms otherwise on the day.
- Arrive around high tide; at low water on a big coefficient you walk 100-200 m over mud and shells before you reach the sea.
- Stay on the beach side of the harbour-dike line at low and mid tide; the oyster parks on the left are not rideable.
- Wear booties: the shore is mud and broken shell once the tide drops.
- Set up at the south end before the dike, between allée Alexandre Bernard and allée André; the school zone is between allée Roger and chemin de la Marine.
- Ask Chatel Kite School or the lifeguard post which zone is in use before you rig.
Getting there
Airport
La Rochelle - Ile de Re Airport (LRH)
Route
Drive south from La Rochelle. From La Rochelle airport it is 21 km and about 17 minutes by car; the town also has TER trains to La Rochelle and Rochefort.
Transfer
17 min
Cost level
medium
Staying
Resort hotels, apartments and campsites are available in Chatelaillon-Plage, with more choice in La Rochelle 17 km north.
No-wind days
La Rochelle day trips, TER outings, Centre Aquatique 29, seafront cycling/walking, casino, market, Port des Boucholeurs and Fort Boyard boat trips.
Photos
FAQ
When is the best time to kitesurf at Chatelaillon-Plage?
April through September is the main practical wind season, but kitesurf is reported banned from 15 June to 15 September 2026, so spring and early autumn are the best legal windows.
Is Chatelaillon-Plage suitable for beginners?
Yes, local guidance calls it ideal for beginners and confirmed riders alike, outside the restricted bathing season.
What is the wind like at Chatelaillon-Plage?
Useful wind comes from N, S, SW and NW, averaging around 10-22 knots, with high tide preferred for the best water conditions.
Are there rules at Chatelaillon-Plage?
Kitesurf is reported forbidden from 15 June to 15 September 2026, with the kite area located south of the beach before the dike outside that period or once bathers have left.
Is there a kite school nearby?
Yes, Chatel Kite School, Accrokite and Ile de Re Kitesurf operate in the area.
Last updated: August 2026