Préfailles – Pointe Saint-Gildas

Préfailles · Loire-Atlantique · France

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A group of flat-rock reefs around Pointe Saint-Gildas, the rocky headland at the western tip of the Pays de Retz, giving short lefts and rights that can be hollow and fast. The reefs are tide-sensitive and inconsistent, working mainly around mid tide and needing a solid west-south-west to west swell with an offshore north wind. On a good day the waves are steep and quick over shallow rock, which makes it a spot for experienced surfers. It is rarely crowded and mostly surfed by locals.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or step-up for the hollow reef peaks, with reef boots.

When it works

✓ A solid west-south-west to west swell of about 1–2 m with a light north to north-east wind, around mid tide on the push.

When it doesn't

✕ Small summer swells, low tide over exposed rock, and south to south-west onshore winds.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • currents

Best months

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

Local tips

The peaks are spread around the headland, so bring binoculars and scope them before choosing one. The reefs change quickly with the tide; mid tide on the push is the usual window. Currents can run hard around the point, so keep checking your position against the shore. Further offshore, the La Couronnée reef toward Noirmoutier can only be reached by boat.

Getting there

Take the D213 from Saint-Nazaire toward Pornic and follow signs for Pointe Saint-Gildas; there is free parking on the point and along the road, then a walk of 5–15 minutes to the reefs.

Travel notes

How often it works
Surf-forecast calls it unreliable, and it is often flat in summer. The point needs a decent west to south-west swell to get the reefs going.
Crowd and vibe
Even when there are waves it is rarely crowded. The peaks are spread around the headland, so there is room for everyone.
Camping and vans
Camping de la Pointe in Préfailles and Camping l'Albatros in La Plaine-sur-Mer are about 2 km away. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
There are cafés by the port on the point. The nearby Anse du Sud beach has toilets, showers and a summer lifeguard post.
Water quality
The nearest monitoring point, L'Anse du Sud, was rated good every season from 2022 to 2025 and holds the 2026 Pavillon Bleu. La Raize, on the other side of the point, had two failed samples in 2026.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–W best, SW–WNW works
Size
2–3.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1.5 m, holds to 5 m
Period
10 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–E; handles onshore up to 15 km/h
Tide
mid best, avoid low, on the rising tide
Faces
SW (235°)

Live cam

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

Nearby spots

All spots in Loire-Atlantique · All spots

Sources