42.54 | 3.06
Racou Plage — Argelès-sur-Mer, Pyrénées-Orientales. Last sandy beach before the rocky Côte Vermeille coastline (Collioure, Banyuls, Cerbère). About 500 m long, fine sand, crystal-clear turquoise water. Argelès harbour to the left, rocky coves to the right (Ouille beach, Porteils). Authentic neighbourhood with colourful little houses right on the sand, sandy lanes, Catalan village atmosphere.
Renowned spot on the Catalan coast, fallback spot when the Tramontane blows too hard on Leucate. Wind is steadier and less gusty than further north. Attenuated near shore by the harbour, it quickly strengthens offshore due to the cape effect (Cap Béar nearby — the strongest NW gusts in the Gulf of Lion are recorded at its semaphore). Within a few hundred metres, you enter a proper wind-sea with whitecaps everywhere.
Exceptional summer thermal: rises around 2 PM, blows from the South-East. Some days it reaches 30 knots while it's dead calm everywhere else on the Gulf of Lion. Lasts until 5 PM or later if aided by a depression coming up from Spain. Spot is rarely crowded.
Central Windsurf — Beach club / sailing school at Argelès (windsurf, dinghies, paddle). Canet Kite Club (CKC) — Local kite club that supported the channel petition. CBCM Boarder Club — Multi-sport school at Saint-Cyprien (kite, paddle, surf, windsurf), radio coaching + safety boat.
Fine sandy bottom. Depth increases fairly quickly (sloping beach). By Tramontane: relatively flat near shore, formed sea offshore with steep chop within a few hundred metres. By Marin/thermal SE: onshore waves, good surf possible, swells of 1 to 2.50 m in strong wind. Notable shorebreak — beach drops away steeply, be careful on entries/exits. Water 14-16°C winter, 20-25°C summer. 5/4 wetsuit winter, shorty or lycra summer.
Intermediate
Open all year round
Sailing possible year-round. ⚠️ Windsurf channel removed since 2025: the historic access channel (45 m wide) that allowed windsurfers, kitesurfers, wingfoilers and catamarans to cross the 300 m zone has been removed under the new beach concession 2025-2034. A replacement channel was created ~1 km north, behind the harbour area. Off-season (no buoys): free sailing. Best season: March-June (Tramontane) and summer (exceptional SE thermal).
Parking de la Sardane — Large car park at Le Racou. Paid from June 1 to September 30 (9 AM to midnight). First half hour free, then hourly rate. Day/week/fortnight passes available. Season pass €40 for Argelès/CCACVI residents. From Argelès centre: direction harbour, then avenue d'Avinguda de la Torre d'en Sorra. Disabled access at the lifeguard post.
Offshore Tramontane: land wind, risk of drifting out to sea. Strengthens very quickly as you move away from shore (Cap Béar cape effect). Plan your upwind return. Powerful shorebreak: beach drops steeply, technical entries/exits in waves. Proximity to Argelès harbour: watch for maritime traffic exiting the port, wind shadow possible behind the breakwater. Rocks to the right (toward Côte Vermeille): do not drift toward the rocky coves. E/NE swells rare but powerful when they arrive.
Two main wind regimes:
Tramontane (NW/NNW): dominant land wind, offshore. Attenuated near shore by harbour protection but strengthens rapidly offshore. Cap Béar cape effect — violent gusts possible. Tramontane is steadier and better established here than on Leucate spots. When it's unrideable in 5m at La Franqui, Racou can still offer manageable conditions.
SE Thermal (Marin): onshore sea breeze, fills in beautifully in the afternoon. In summer, rises around 2 PM, can reach 25-30 knots. Arrives at Racou 30 minutes before Argelès Nord and leaves 30 minutes later. Can build waves up to 2.50 m in strong wind. Some days, force 6 thermal while dead calm at Leucate!
07:29 | 18:32
Currently, there is no weather station at this spot. If you want to change this, help us fund one: Weather Station Project
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