Baie d'Écalgrain

La Hague · Normandie · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Baie d'Écalgrain (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/ecalgrain.

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The Baie d'Écalgrain is a wild bay near the tip of Cap de la Hague: pebbles and boulders that give way to sand at low tide, under steep slopes of heather and gorse. It is one of the few breaks on this rocky coast and is open to westerly swell, giving average, rather sloppy beach-break peaks over sand and rock on most tides. You will usually surf alone, so the setting matters more than the waves. With no lifeguards or facilities and strong tidal currents off the cape nearby, it is for surfers who can look after themselves.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Quiet
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
Shortboards and mid-lengths.

When it works

✓ A W to NW swell of 1–2.5 m with an east wind, at any tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Onshore westerlies, which are common here, or a swell too big for the small bay.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • currents

Best months

January, February, March, April, October, November, December

Local tips

Mid tide is a safe bet, when there is sand to break over and the boulders at the back are covered; lower tides show more sand. Bring everything you need and do not surf alone in a big swell: the area is remote and the currents around La Hague are among the strongest on the French coast. Easterly winds that blow out most of the Channel are offshore here.

Getting there

The bay lies near Auderville at the tip of La Hague. A road runs along the slope above it to a car park, and from there a short, steep path leads down to the beach, crossed by the GR 223 coastal path. There are no shops, toilets or restaurants.

Travel notes

How often it works
Unreliable, even though it faces the open west. Forecasters rate it among the least consistent spots in the region, with waves too small most of the time. The usual westerly wind blows straight in and makes it messy, so it needs a modest west swell and a rare easterly wind.
Crowd and vibe
Usually nobody is out. It is remote and little known, so you will likely surf alone. That also means no one to help you in the strong currents.
Camping and vans
There is nowhere to camp at the bay. The nearest campsite is the Camping Municipal du Hable at Omonville-la-Rogue, about 7 km east. Nearest campsite about 7 km away.
Facilities
None. There is a car park on the road above and a steep path down, but no toilets, cafés, shops or lifeguards.
Water quality
Écalgrain is not an officially monitored bathing site, so it has no official rating. The nearest monitored beaches in La Hague, Vauville and Omonville, were rated 'excellent' at the end of 2025.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–NW best, SW–NNW works
Size
1.3–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 3 m
Period
7 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–ESE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
NW (304°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Normandie · All spots

Sources