St. Gilles-les-Bains Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
SW, S
Wind
SE, the prevailing trade wind, some spots work on N or NE wind.
Surf Height
Shoulder high to double overhead. Can be much bigger but difficult entry and exit at many spots.
Tide
Low to high, depending on the spot.
St. Gilles-les-Bains Surf Guide
St. Gilles is the main holiday center of Reunion, with a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs. It's party central for the locals and tourists who visit the island, with the beautiful beach at Boucan Canot the place to see and be seen, and local surfers hanging at the Roches Noire boardwalk.It also has a number of high-quality waves, like L'Hermitage left and L'Hermitage right, the peak at Trois Bassin, Roches Noire, and several other spots that work on various wind directions and tides. It's a more relaxed scene than St. Leu, with a social atmosphere of families, friends, locals, and visitors. The waves are all coral or rock bottom, and can be quite intense; particularly L'Hermitage, which is a heavy barreling wave on both the left and the right.If in doubt where to go out, watch the locals or make a few inquiries in French. Sea urchins are present in large size and numbers in this area, as are rocks, sharp reefs, and sharks. L'Hermitage is regarded as being particularly sharky.
Ability Level
Intermediate - Advanced
Intermediate to advanced.
Local Vibe
Welcoming
Friendly, defer to the local surfers and you shouldn't have any problems.
Crowd Factor
Moderate
Weekends and French school holiday periods can be crowded, the number of spots spreads the crowd.
Spot Rating
Fun
Some fun waves, a few intense barrels.
Shoulder Burn
Medium
Short paddles, some current.
Water Quality
Clean
Generally clean but some trash on the beach, and in the water around the fishing boats.
Hazards
See "Shark Danger."
Bring Your
Shortboard
Access
Many parking areas and access points.
Bottom
Coral reef, rocks.
Best Season
April to October, the southern hemisphere winter.
Do you have local knowledge about St. Gilles-les-Bains?
If you have any insights or information to add to this spot guide, drop us a note at [email protected]