Typical Mediterranean, not too much waves. Fairly shallow, but does get over about six feet after about 100m off the beach. The Mediterranean doesn't have tides.
The beach is huge, really huge. It's hard sand, you can drive to the water with your car. Best is a 4x4 to drive on the beach, if you get stuck, not many people around, since it's in the middle of nowhere. Long sandy beach in a U-shaped bay, no structures or anything located along the beach, except for cars and people.
If the mistral blows it's perfect here, you can't surf anywhere else but here. It's in a salt digging area. And everywehere it's flat. That makes the wind really good. Quite variable, but usually quite consistent, not too gusty. Best period for the wind: mid June to mid July: around 15 knots. The only offshore wind is East, for all other directions, you can find a place to ride (it's a closed, U-shaped bay). Beauduc is the place where the North wind blows the most, and 40 kts are quite normal.
The nearest airport is Marseille. But you do need a car (1-1.5 hrs) because there is no bus or similar to Beauduc. If you draw a line between Marseille and Le Grande Motte, Beauduc is exactly in the middle. If you have a detailed map you will see it. You have to drive over a sand road, they aren't even on the map! Only the place Beauduc is given. Follow signs from Paris or Marseille to Arles, then follow signs to Camargue, following to town of Salins-de-Giraud. Unless you have a big 4x4, it takes about 1hr to drive to the town because the road is so bad. Only accessible for cars not wider than 2m.
It's in the middle of nowhere. You can put your tent or whatever on the beach and sleep there. Just take enough food and drinks with you because there is only a little snack bar in the summer season. Warning: you can't call with your cell phone, no service. You can camp everywhere. Just don't stay next to the locals, there is space enough.
06-04-04 Tycho Bom: It is a really really big beach. You can camp everywhere. Just don't stay next to the locals, there is space enough.
Everything is pure nature. There is just nothing. At night it IS dark. You won't see any light from the city. From the beach it is about 20KM to the nearest town, where you can buy food and take a shower for 0,80.
06-04-04 Tycho Bom: Unless you have a big 4x4, it takes about 1hr to drive to the town because the road is so bad. Nevertheless it has a beautifull environment and you can see flamingos.
When I was there in july 2005 we had GSM coverage from 2 networks. The wind was mostly 5-6 BFT and sideshore or onshore. Sometimes there is a cold current, so a wetsuit is also in the summer recommended.
04-02-07 flamand rose: Respect the site and the locals. Do not litter, do not come with your huge motorhome and stay there a month, you could irritate some people...
"Usually not over about 35km/h". This is pure bullshit! Beauduc is the place where the North wind blows the most, and 40 kts are quite normal there.
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