Calais

A beachbreak wedge that fires up beside the ferry port jetty when NE winds pile swell into the corner, giving Calais a raw, industrial charm that most traveling surfers drive straight past. SW to NE swell window, mid-to-high tide, with light southerly offshores keeping faces clean when the wind cooperates. The wave is short, sloppy on average days, and best suited to beginners or surfers passing through who want a quick session rather than a destination trip. Crowds are rarely an issue, weekend or otherwise, which is about the only thing that genuinely recommends it over spots further down the coast. Bottom: sand. Season: autumn and winter for most consistent swell. Consistency: medium. Ferry wash from the busy port can add unexpected lumps to the lineup, so stay alert to vessel movements in the channel.