Urville-Nacqueville

Despite its popularity, this 3km-long beach is never overcrowded – there's a good atmosphere and glorious surroundings. On the water it's freeride or waves depending on wind direction, windstrength and swell. Conditions are never too tough though, so it’s also fine for first-time wavesailors. West-north-west and east-north-easterly are accelerated by a cape effect to blow stronger than on neighbouring beaches. The waves back off on an ebb tide (from about 90-minutes after high tide); flood chops the surface up. The swimming zone and rock ledge towards the fort are hard to miss, less obvious is the killer current of up to 10 knots beyond the big marker buoy. No kiting from 10am to 7pm in July and August.