Guide: Kite and Wingfoil Spots in La Baule, Pornichet, Le Pouliguen
Guide updated July 2026
Stretching 15 km from Pointe de Penchâteau to the port of Pornichet, the Bay of Le PouliguenIt is home to three islands: Évens and Bagueneau. The third is Pierre Percée. Two of these are especially suited for watersports. Depending on your launch spot, the bay is rideable in all wind directions except East. Kite and wing equipment is in our Kitesurf and Wing Foil worlds.
🎯 In short: This Guide
Looking for the best places to ride in La Baule Bay? You have three main areas: Benoît Beach, which offers flat basins at low tide; Pornichet, navigable at all tides with a K13 channel in summer; and Évens Island, accessible by boat and perfect for East winds. Whether you're into Kite, wingfoil, foil, or Surf, there are spots for all levels depending on the conditions. This guide was written by the GlissEvolution team, with over 20 years of riding experience in Pornichet.
Live Spot Conditions
GlissEvolution provides real-time wind measurements from its own anemometer in Pornichet. We also publish high-resolution forecasts (AROME 1.3 km), SHOM tides, swell, and webcam feeds on our dedicated weather pages:
► Live Weather & Wind Pornichet
► Live Weather & Wind La Baule, Benoît Beach
What's New for Summer 2026
- We now have dedicated weather pages for each spot in the bay. These pages feature live wind data and forecasts on our Weather & Spot Guide platform, covering 74 spots across France and Europe.
- The K13 Channel, our summer setup in Pornichet, has live schedules available via our WhatsApp group (see below).
- Our gear selection for the bay now features the latest 2026 models, including the Duotone Evo, Eleveight RS+ V4, and GT4+.
Table of Contents
La Baule Spot, Plage Benoît
This spot, stretching from Le Pouliguen port to the casino, works best with winds from the west to southeast.
- At low tide or mid-tide, the famous 'bassines' create ultra-flat water. This is ideal for freestyle and foil, and for learning. It's also perfect for schools teaching kite and foil. Wingfoil is taught here during the off-season.
- For foil in light winds, this is one of our favorite spots. When the swell rolls in just right, a beautiful wave forms on the sandbank.
- At high tide, the water gets choppier, the rigging area shrinks, and the wind can be disturbed by the surrounding buildings.
- This is a historic spot, popular since the windsurf board era, and freestylers are always welcome here.
► Live wind, forecasts, tides, and webcam: the Plage Benoît weather page
Pornichet Spot
The Pornichet spot works with winds from the west to northwest.You can ride here at any tide. This makes it an all-round but technical spot.
- Expect a shore break that varies in power depending on the conditions.
- The water is shared between kites and wings. Surfs and windsurf boards also use it.
- During summer, a regulated kite channel (K13) is in place to ensure harmonious coexistence with swimmers and boaters.
► Get live wind data (spot anemometer), AROME forecasts, and tide charts on the Pornichet weather page
K13 Channel
For live updates on channel opening times, join the official WhatsApp group. You will find hours, rules, minimum wind requirements, and marking details: the complete kite channel regulations.
GlissEvolution often uses Pornichet beach as the finish point for downwind runs.
The Île des Évens and Bagueneau Islands
Île des Évens
Less than two miles from the beach, Île des Évens sits in the center of the bay. It is an ideal spot for those who can access it by boat. This island becomes a true base camp for riding in easterly winds, especially when other spots in the bay are not working.
At high tide, it creates a zone protected from wind and swell. This offers incredible flat water, perfect for freestyle, foil, or simply a peaceful session in a unique setting.
Île de Bagueneau
Another option is Île de Bagueneau, but approach with caution: with a high tidal coefficient, this island completely disappears at high tide. When you understand the water levels well, a nice wave forms, with a punchy take-off. The setting is wild and quiet, perfect for riders seeking a different session.
Warning
Île des Évens and Bagueneau are for advanced riders only. Access is by boat, and there is no supervision.
Our gear selection for riding in the bay
Here is our selection of gear to enjoy La Baule Bay with kite and wing. It is available in the Pornichet shop or on our website.
Kite and wing spots in the region
Discover other spots in the Pays de la Loire region and Southern Brittany:
- ► Carnac spots: perfect for beginners, foil, and wing
- ► Valentin Beach, Batz-sur-Mer: a technical and very compact spot
- ► Pont-Mahé Bay: Ideal for your first independent sessions, offering plenty of range to explore the deck.
- ► La Turballe / Pen Bron: an uncrowded wave spot
- ► Saint-Brevin-les-Pins: Le Pointeau, Les Rochelets, L'Ermitage
- ► Noirmoutier / Fromentine: Luzéronde, Barbâtre, Sableaux, and more
Useful links: weather, tides, webcam
- Live weather & wind from GlissEvolution: Check out Pornichet and La Baule, Plage Benoît for real-time anemometer readings, AROME 1.3 km forecasts, SHOM tides, swell, and webcam feeds.
- All spots: Our Weather & Spot Guide covers 74 spots across France and Europe.
- Windguru: windguru.cz/48506
- Tides: maree.info/117
- La Baule webcam: labaule.fr/webcam
- Kite Evolution School: kite-evolution.com (Pornichet)
- Tourist Office: La Baule, Guérande · Pornichet
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best kite spots in La Baule?
The Bay of Le Pouliguen offers three prime zones: Benoît Beach in La Baule, known for its flat basins at low tide; the Pornichet spot, which is rideable at all tides and features a dedicated Kite channel during summer; and Île des Évens, located in the bay's center, ideal for riding in easterly winds.
Can you ride in all wind conditions?
The bay is usable in all winds except East from the main spots. For East winds, the Île des Évens offers a sheltered body of water accessible by boat.
Where can I check live weather and wind conditions?
GlissEvolution provides real-time wind measurements from its Pornichet anemometer, high-resolution AROME forecasts, SHOM tides, and a webcam. Find all this on our Pornichet weather and La Baule, Plage Benoît weather pages.
Is the kite channel mandatory?
Yes, during summer, a regulated kite channel (K13) is in place to ensure safe coexistence with swimmers and boaters. Join our WhatsApp group to get live updates on opening hours.
What skill level is required?
The bay welcomes all skill levels. Plage Benoît's flat pools are ideal for beginner riders. Pornichet is more technical due to its shore break. Île des Évens is reserved for advanced, independent riders.
When should you ride based on the tide?
Plage Benoît is best at low and mid-tide, offering flat pools. At high tide, space is limited, and buildings disrupt the wind. Pornichet can be ridden without specific tide constraints.
Can you wingfoil in La Baule?
Yes, the bay is ideal for wing foil. The Plage Benoît basins offer perfect flat water in light winds, and Pornichet allows riding in varied conditions all year round.
Need advice for riding in the bay?
We've known every corner of this bay for over 20 years. Stop by for expert equipment advice tailored to your riding style.
Pornichet Store: 2C Avenue du Gulf Stream: 09 62 64 74 77
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 AM-1 PM / 3 PM-7 PM
Key Features
| Section | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| In short, this guide | Looking for the best places to ride in La Baule Bay? |
| What's new for Summer 2026 | Dedicated weather pages: Each spot in the bay now has its own live wind page and forecasts on our Weather & Spot Guide platform, covering 74 spots across France and Europe. |
| La Baule Spot, Plage Benoît | From Le Pouliguen harbor to the casino, this spot is perfect for winds from west to southeast. |
| Pornichet Spot | The Pornichet spot works best with winds from west to northwest. |
| Île des Évens | Located in the center of the bay, less than two miles from the beach, Île des Évens is an ideal spot for those who can access it by boat. |
| Île de Bagueneau | Another option, but with caution: during high tidal coefficients, this island completely disappears at high tide. |
| Kite and wing spots in the region | Discover more spots in the Pays de la Loire region and southern Brittany: ► Carnac spots: perfect for beginners, foil, and wing ► Plage Valentin, Batz-sur-Mer: spot… |
| Useful links: weather, tides, webcam | Live Weather & Wind (GlissEvolution): Pornichet · La Baule, Plage Benoît: real-time anemometer, AROME 1.3 km forecasts, SHOM tides, swell, webcam All spots: Weather & Spot Guide… |
Frequently Asked Questions
In short: key takeaways from this guide
Looking for the best places to ride in La Baule Bay? You've got three main areas: Benoît Beach, with its flat basins at low tide; Pornichet, which is rideable at all tides and has a K13 channel in summer; and Île des Évens, perfect for easterly winds and accessible by boat.
Summer 2026: What's New
Every spot in the bay now has its own dedicated live wind page and forecasts on our Weather & Spot Guide platform. We cover 74 spots across France and Europe. The K13 channel in Pornichet has its summer setup in place; check live schedules via the WhatsApp group below.
La Baule, Plage Benoît Spot: Key Takeaways
This spot, stretching from Le Pouliguen harbor to the casino, works best with winds from west to southeast. At low to mid-tide, the famous 'bassines' create ultra-flat water. This makes it ideal for freestyle and foil, and for learning.
Pornichet Spot: Key Takeaways
The Pornichet spot is best with winds from west to northwest. You can ride here without tide constraints. It's an allround spot, but it can be technical.
What to Know About Île des Évens
Île des Évens sits in the center of the bay, less than two miles from the beach. It's an ideal spot if you can access it by boat. This island becomes a true base camp for riding in easterly winds, especially when other spots in the bay aren't working.
What to Know About Île de Bagueneau
Île de Bagueneau is another option, but approach with caution. During high tidal coefficients, this island completely disappears at high tide. If you have a good grasp of water levels, a nice wave forms here with a very punchy take-off.
Got a question about the gear mentioned here?
The GlissEvolution team rides what they sell. They are available to answer your questions in person at the Pornichet store or by phone.
