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Surf spot guide · Normandy, France
Long, hollow left-hander wrapping over a boulder bottom on the Côte d'Albâtre, sheltered by the Pointe de Chicard headland.
Yport delivers one of Normandy's most rewarding left-handers, a wave that wraps along a boulder-strewn bottom and can run for impressive distances when conditions align. The break is naturally sheltered by the small Pointe de Chicard headland, which acts as a windbreak when SW winds are blowing and keeps the surface clean while surrounding spots deteriorate. The wave itself is hollow and fast on its best days, welling up with purpose over the shallow boulder reef before offering a steep, punchy face. It handles a broad swell window from W through NE, with pure westerly swells typically producing the most organised shape. Mid to high tide is the sweet spot - lower water exposes more of the boulder field and makes entry and exit more technical. On larger swells, a secondary right breaks further inside the bay, giving riders an alternative if the main peak gets too intense. Access is straightforward with free parking directly in front of the break, which keeps the crowd honest despite being far less visited than nearby Etretat. The trade-off is a northward-running rip toward Fécamp that demands attention, particularly on building swell. Vaucottes, 1.2km to the west, offers a softer alternative when Yport is maxing out.
Hollow left wraps boulder reef under Pointe de Chicard's shelter, running steep and fast.
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Yport draws a regular local contingent and can fill up on good days, but it consistently runs quieter than the more famous Etretat break to the south. Weekends in summer see the most pressure.
Windswept, underrated, raw
Normandy
Tucked-away Normandy shingle cove producing soft, forgiving peaks over a boulder bottom, best at low to mid tide.
Normandy
Punchy left-favouring peaks beneath Normandy's iconic limestone arches, best on SW swells at mid tide.
Normandy
Shingle beach on the Côte d'Albâtre producing peaky, mellow boulder-bottom waves best suited to beginners at mid to high tide.
+2 MORE →Surf mid to high tide to avoid the worst of the boulder field on the inside
Check the rip direction before paddling - it runs toward Fécamp on the north end and can catch unfamiliar surfers off guard
The Pointe de Chicard headland only shelters the lineup from SW winds - other wind directions offer no protection, so check the forecast carefully
Big-swell days open up a right-hander deeper inside the bay as an option when the main left is too large.
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Free car park situated directly in front of the break. Beach access is straightforward from the car park to the shingle shore. Entry and exit over the boulder-covered foreshore requires care, particularly at lower tides when more rock is exposed.
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