Sainte-Adresse

Normandie · France

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Sainte-Adresse is the beach below the Cap de la Hève at the northern end of Le Havre's seafront: shingle with groynes at the top, sand and rock further down. The Cotentin blocks most swell, so it only wakes up on a medium to big west or north-west swell, and then gives fast, sometimes hollow waves, mostly lefts, best around high tide. On average days the waves lack power, and it is often flat, especially in summer. Currents are strong and the water near the port is not the cleanest, so it suits surfers with some experience.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard with some volume or a groveller; bigger boards on small, soft days.

When it works

✓ A W to NW swell of 1.5 m or more with a light NE to E wind, around high tide and ideally on the rising tide.

When it doesn't

✕ A small swell, which barely gets past the Cotentin, onshore south-westerlies, or low tide on the rocks and groynes.

Watch out for

  • currents
  • rocks
  • pollution

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Check it on the rising tide towards high water, when the waves are best. Watch the groynes and the currents along the beach, which can be strong on big days. Avoid surfing after heavy rain, as water quality near the port is poor. The headland gives some shelter from the north-east, so a light offshore breeze cleans it up well.

Getting there

The beach runs along the seafront below the Cap de la Hève, a few minutes from central Le Havre, with parking along the promenade and the Route du Cap and cafés close by.

Travel notes

How often it works
Fairly consistent for this stretch, but still short of swell. It needs a solid west to north-west swell to get past the Cotentin peninsula. Summer is usually flat, and even in the best months clean waves come on only a few days.
Crowd and vibe
It is the best-known wave next to Le Havre, so the city's surfers come whenever it breaks. Weekdays are quiet, but good weekends are busier and more competitive. Let the regulars have their turn on the main lefts.
Camping and vans
There is no campsite in Le Havre or Sainte-Adresse. The nearest are around Saint-Jouin-Bruneval, about 15 km north (Camping Le Grand Hameau). Vans can use the city's motorhome aire at 74 rue Andreï Sakharov, for up to 96 hours at roughly €10–13. Nearest campsite about 15.5 km away.
Facilities
Parking along the seafront and the Route du Cap, with cafés and restaurants nearby. All of Le Havre's shops and services are a few minutes away.
Water quality
Rated 'excellent' by ARS Normandie at the end of 2025, as in 2021 and 2023, with no pollution closures in 2023. Surf guides still warn about pollution this close to the port, so avoid it after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, WSW–NNW works
Size
1.5–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 3.5 m
Period
7 s minimum, best from 10 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–E; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
high, mid best, avoid low
Faces
SW (216°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Normandie · All spots

Sources