Windsurfing Almanarre Hyères — Spot Guide 2026
Why Almanarre -- Hyères, France Is Worth the Trip
Almanarre is a sheltered bay on the southern coast of France, just east of Hyères, and it's one of the Med's best-kept secrets for windsurfing. The bay is protected by a long sandy spit, which means wind wraps around consistently without the chop you'd find on exposed Atlantic spots. Most days in summer you'll see 12-20 knots coming from the northwest or northeast -- clean, predictable, and forgiving. The water stays warm from March through October, so a spring suit is usually enough, and you can often ride in a rash guard alone by July.
What makes Almanarre special is the mix of conditions. Beginners love the shallow, calm inner bay where you can walk out 50 metres and still touch bottom. Intermediates have plenty of room to progress in the waist-deep zone, and when the swell wraps in from the south or the wind picks up, advanced riders can push harder in the deeper channels. The beach is clean sand, the town of Hyères has proper accommodation and restaurants, and it's only 90 minutes from Marseille if you're flying in. Windsurfing at Almanarre Hyères France is as much about lifestyle as it is about riding.
Best Spots & Getting There
- Main beach car park -- Drive straight to Plage de l'Almanarre; free parking, showers, and a small café. Best for families and first-timers.
- North of the spit -- Shallower, more protected; perfect for learning or flat-water tricks. Wind is lighter here but more stable.
- South side channels -- Deeper water, more chop when swell runs; heads-on experience for intermediate to advanced riders.
- Hyères town -- 5 km inland; trains from Marseille (90 min), Nice (2.5 h). Rent a car or bike for the short drive to the beach.
- Local schools -- Several small clubs offer board rental and tuition if you want coaching or want to meet other riders.
Wind & Weather by Season
Month Avg Wind (kts) Direction Rating Jan-Feb 10-16 NW, gusty ★★★ (cold water) Mar-Apr 12-18 NE-NW, steady ★★★★★ (warming) May-Jun 14-22 NW consistent ★★★★★ (peak) Jul-Aug 12-18 NW-NE, sea breeze ★★★★ (busy, warm) Sep-Oct 13-20 NW variable ★★★★★ (less crowded) Nov-Dec 10-15 W-NW, choppy ★★★ (cooler)The Mistral wind pattern dominates Almanarre from May to August, bringing reliable NW wind most mornings. By afternoon, local sea breeze kicks in and can push gusts to 20+ knots. Autumn (September-October) is often the best window: less crowded, still warm water, and autumn storm systems add bigger swell without extreme chop. Winter is calmer and cooler, so full wetsuits are essential. Spring ramps up steadily from March onwards.
What Gear to Bring
Calm-Water Setup
Start with a high-volume freestyle or wave board (around 80-100L), a large sail (5.5-6.5 m²) to catch light wind easily, and a spring suit or rash guard. The shallow bay and steady 12-15 knot wind means you can focus on stance and balance without fighting conditions.
Progression & Freewave
Bring a freewave or freestyle board (65-75L), a range of sails (4.0-5.5 m²), and a spring suit. Use mornings for flat-water tricks, afternoons for chop and carving when the sea breeze builds. Consider a foil setup if you want to exploit the deeper channels during lighter days.
The FreeWave excels in Almanarre's mixed chop and flat-water zones. Responsive, stable on rails, and forgiving if the wind lulls. Perfect for riders stepping up from freestyle to wave-style riding in warm Med conditions.
Lightweight and responsive, the E_Pace sails beautifully in the thermal and sea-breeze patterns at Almanarre. Easy to rig, quick to respond, and will handle both flat mornings and afternoon chop without complaint. Great all-rounder for a Med trip.
Rent or Buy? Advice from Surf Store
If you're visiting Almanarre for a week or two, renting locally keeps your luggage light and saves transport hassle. Hyères has a handful of schools and rental shops that stock decent boards and sails; expect €40-60 per day for a full kit. However, if you're serious about progression or planning multiple trips, bringing your own gear (or buying here at Surf Store) means you're comfortable and familiar with your setup. European shipping is free from us from €99, and we stock boards and sails from Duotone, Tabou, and JP Australia -- all proven at Almanarre.
Our advice: if you're new to the sport, rent. If you've got 50+ hours on the water, invest in your own. A mid-range freewave board (€800-1200) and a couple of sails (€600-900 each) will last you years and will feel like home the moment you rig up. Most riders at Almanarre make friends over summer and swap tips on gear; once you're in that loop, having your own kit makes it easy to join the daily sessions.
Ready to Gear Up for Almanarre?
Expert advice, authorized stock, ships across Europe within 24h. Whether you're planning a trip to Hyères or setting up for the season, we've got the gear.
