France
The Pointe de la Fosse, located in Barbâtre on the island of Noirmoutier in Vendée, is an authentic and tranquil kitesurfing spot on the French Atlantic coast. It is one of the best spots in the region, appreciated for its preserved natural setting and exceptional conditions.
The spot benefits from a unique topography with vast sandbanks that create shallow lagoons. It is an ideal place to progress safely, where the water remains perfectly flat and accessible to riders of all levels.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
flatflatPointe de la Fosse works with very varied wind orientations. The spot is ideal with wind from the north, northwest, west, southwest, and south. With a west-northwest orientation, the wind is generally side-shore to side-on, providing stable and predictable conditions.
The water is a shallow lagoon with a sandy bottom. At low tide, the depth is very reduced (about 1 meter), which facilitates learning and allows for standing everywhere. At high tide, the depth increases slightly but remains very gradual. The best time to ride is at low tide, about 2 hours before and 2 hours after, especially for beginners.
Launching is easy from the fine sandy beach. There are virtually no obstacles, no waves, and the current is generally weak. However, be careful not to navigate in the bouchot area (oyster parks) with south winds.
Ideal conditions occur with wind from the north, northwest, west, or southwest, with a minimum strength of 12 knots (4 beaufort). The spot works best at low tide, about 2 hours before and after, when the water is most accessible and safe. These combined conditions offer a flat, stable water surface perfect for progression.
The water is extremely flat, with no waves and no notable chop. It is a protected lagoon with sandbanks that create a very calm and safe environment. The absence of swell and waves makes it an ideal spot for learning and technical progression.
The current at Pointe de la Fosse is generally weak, which greatly facilitates kitesurfing. However, one must remain vigilant near the channel where the current can become stronger. The tide plays an important role in the conditions of the spot, with significant variations in depth between low and high tide.
The recommended kite sizes depend on the wind conditions. In light wind (8-10 knots), a kite of 12 to 14 m² is necessary. For moderate winds (10-14 knots), a kite of 9 to 12 m² is ideal. In stronger winds (14+ knots), a kite of 7 to 9 m² is sufficient. Most riders will need 2 to 3 kites to cover the entire range of wind available at this spot.
The wind regime at Pointe de la Fosse is very consistent with over 250 windy days per year. The spot benefits from wind orientations of 360 degrees, meaning there is almost always a usable wind configuration. The prevailing winds come from the northwest, west, and southwest, with strengths generally between 8 and 12 knots on average seasonally.
The island of Noirmoutier enjoys a temperate oceanic climate typical of the Vendée Atlantic coast. Winters are mild with average temperatures around 7-9°C, while summers are pleasant with temperatures around 17-19°C. Spring and autumn offer ideal intermediate conditions for kitesurfing.
The depth at Pointe de la Fosse is very gradual and shallow. At low tide, the depth is about 1 meter or less, allowing for standing everywhere and facilitating learning. At high tide, the depth increases slightly but remains very gradual. The bottom is made of fine sand, providing excellent traction and safety for riders.
The water temperature varies significantly with the seasons. In winter (January to March), the water is cold with temperatures around 7-9°C, requiring a thick wetsuit. In spring (April to June), it gradually rises from 10 to 14°C. In summer (July to September), the water reaches its maximum at 17-19°C, allowing for riding with a thin wetsuit or none. In autumn (October to December), the temperature gradually decreases from 14 to 9°C.
