Gohaud

Gohaud (Vendée, France) is a well-known surf spot on the Atlantic coast, in the Pays de la Loire region, near the village of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie / Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez area.

Spot description

• Wave type: Mostly a beach break
• Best for: Beginners to intermediate surfers, depending on swell size
• Wave quality: Can offer clean, fun, peaky waves with decent shape on the right sandbank
• Wind/swell sensitivity: Works best with a clean offshore wind and a solid Atlantic swell
• Crowds: Can be busy in good conditions, especially during weekends and holiday periods

Conditions

• Tide: Generally tide-sensitive like many beach breaks in the area; it often works better on mid tide or a specific tide stage depending on sand movement
• Swell: Handles west to northwest swells well
• Wind: Best with easterly/offshore winds, which are common good surf winds on the Vendée coast

Local feel

Gohaud is part of the very surfable Vendée coastline, which has a number of beach breaks that can produce quality waves when sandbanks line up. It’s usually a straightforward, accessible spot with a relaxed beach-surf atmosphere.

Note

Conditions at Gohaud can change a lot with season, storms, and sandbar shifts, so the spot can range from mellow and beginner-friendly to punchy and hollow when conditions get good.