Crowd & Localism
Weekdays are quiet, often empty. Summer weekends attract learners and families, but the lineup rarely feels competitive. No notable localism pressure reported. A relaxed environment suits the wave's character.
Vendée, Northwest France, France
St jean de monts
46.774, -2.061
Edited by Tom Jackson
Verified May 2026
Editor-reviewedCross-checked against WannaSurf
At a glance
- St jean de monts is a a-frame over beach, soft filtered beach peaks.
- Beginner to intermediate ability, working 3-6 ft.
- Peak September to April, water 11-20°C.
A-frame · BeachBeginner → Intermediate3–6 ftJan – Dec
A swell-filtered beach break on the Vendée coast, St Jean de Monts sits behind the Île d'Yeu, which strips power and shape from incoming Atlantic swells before they reach the shore. SW to NW groundswell, 3-5ft, produces the most rideable walls here, though the wave rarely develops clean sections due to that natural filtering effect. Any tide works, with slight improvements at mid tide as banks steepen. This is a beginner-friendly stretch best suited to newer surfers, learners, and longboarders comfortable with soft, unpredictable conditions. Weekdays are quiet to near-empty, weekends draw a handful of surfers, mostly learners. Bottom: sand. Season: autumn through spring for more consistent swell windows. Consistency: low to moderate. Bring a forgiving board and realistic expectations, because days when this beach produces clean waves are the exception, not the rule.
Wave fit
Skill suited
Beginner → Intermediate
BegIntAdv
Best months
Jan – Dec
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Character
Soft filtered beach peaks.
Conditions
When it worksOptimum tide
All tides
Trip planning
Quick facts
Water temp
11° to 20°C
Wetsuit
3/2 summer, 4/3 winter
What to bring
- Longboard or malibu for soft small days
- Mid-length 7ft to 8ft on bigger swells
Lineup
Mellow lineup
Where it sits
Location
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About this break
What it's actually like
Access & Facilities
St Jean de Monts is a well-serviced seaside town with direct beach access, parking, and beachside amenities including cafes and surf schools. Suitable for all abilities on its day.
Nearby Alternatives
When St Jean de Monts is too small or too sloppy, the beaches further north toward St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and south toward the Vendée coast pick up swell more directly and can offer more defined beach break peaks on the same swell.
10-day swell, wind and tide
St jean de monts surf forecast
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Forecast by Windy.app
Stay nearby
Camps within boat range
Browse all France surf camps
No vetted camps within boat range of St jean de monts yet.
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La Pointe
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Phare de la Coubre
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long walling left point · Left · Point
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Dalbos
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La Sauzaie
fast hollow A-frame submerged reef · A-frame · Reef
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Kerloch
mellow right-hand beachbreak turning point on big swell · Right · Beach
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Les Sables-D'Olonne
sheltered bay beachbreak with reef-fingered banks · Varies · Mixed
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Soulac
hollow wedging left-hand beachbreak · Left · Beach
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Frequently asked
What you need to know before paddling out at St jean de monts
What skill level is St jean de monts suited for?
St jean de monts is a beach bottom, soft filtered beach peaks, break suited for beginner through intermediate surfers. Beginners can give it a go on the smaller end of the size range.
What size does St jean de monts work best at?
Working size is 3 to 6 ft. Below 3 ft the swell goes flat. Above 6 ft it tends to close out.
When is the best season to surf St jean de monts?
St jean de monts fires from September through April. Outside that window the swell window narrows and the lineup goes quiet.
What swell direction does St jean de monts need?
St jean de monts switches on with swells out of the SW to NW (225 to 315 degrees).
What type of wave is St jean de monts?
St jean de monts is a a-frame-breaking wave over beach. Soft filtered beach peaks.
How crowded is St jean de monts?
Lineup is mellow. Visiting surfers fit in fine if they wait their turn.
Sources
- WannaSurf
St jean de monts
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