Plage de Collignon
France · Normandie
The beach of Collignon, located in Tourlaville near Cherbourg in the Cherbourg harbor, is a popular spot for kitesurfing enthusiasts due to its exceptionally flat water. Protected by the harbor's dike, it offers ideal conditions for freestyle even in strong winds, with a friendly atmosphere among kiters, windsurfers, and sailing schools.
It is a family-friendly place with supervised swimming in summer, a small natural pool in the rocks for children, and a large free parking area. Locals often come here to sail safely, especially beginners who appreciate the shallow depth and the absence of waves.
The spot is equipped with a channel for boat launching, and the water is rated excellent quality for swimming.
Historical averages by month — not a live forecast.
The spot mainly works around high tide, as there is not enough water at low tide. Launching is easy via the channel dedicated to boats and windsurfers, or directly from the sandy beach. The sailing area is protected by the dike of Cherbourg harbor, creating an exceptional flat water surface, perfect for freestyle and freeride, even in rough weather.
The wind orientation is ideally side-shore or side-on from NW to W, coming perpendicular to the east-west oriented beach. In onshore winds from West to East through the North, the wind is steady and powerful. The launch area is spacious on the wide beach, with few obstacles. Be careful to stay within the marked area to avoid other water activities like sailing or land sailing.
Local peculiarity: during high tide coefficients, the current can intensify in the channel, and the sea recedes far at low tide, completely changing the landscape. It is a very busy spot for locals and schools, especially in winter with sustained winds.
Open Windguru forecast