Launch from the main Royan beach. Best conditions in southwest to northwest wind at mid to high tide. Monitor tidal currents carefully — they can be very strong at the estuary mouth during spring tides. Port navigation traffic to watch for. Self-organised spot.

Open all year round

Open year-round. Best season: May to October. The ferry Royan-Le Verdon runs year-round — check schedules for navigation awareness. Busy beach in summer — early sessions recommended.

Intermediate

Estuary mouth with significant tidal currents up to 3-4 knots on spring tides. Sandy beach with moderate chop of 0.3 to 0.8m in southwest to northwest wind. Swell dampened by the estuary geometry compared to open Atlantic beaches. Tidal range up to 5m — beach width varies enormously between tides.

Southwest to northwest winds are most reliable at Royan, building on Atlantic systems and summer thermal cycle. North wind is also usable. The estuary mouth can create wind acceleration or shadow effects depending on direction. The city buildings may cause some turbulence close to shore — move out towards the Gironde for cleaner air.

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