The beaches of Oleron Island
With its 100 kilometers of coastline, you will find during your visit to the island of Oleron a multitude of beaches with varied atmospheres, open to the open sea or facing the Marennes basin, the Rochefort arsenal, the island of Aix, the Pertuis d'Antioche and the island of Ré. All of them have as an asset the quality of their bathing water. Several of the island's resorts benefit from the prestigious Blue Flag label, which rewards clean beaches, waste management and attention to the environment. Here is an overview of the beaches you can visit during your stay at the camping Ile d'Oléron Le Fief Melin.
East Coast Beaches
In the east of the island, the coast facing the Moëze-Oléron natural reserve shelters many oyster farms and their oyster beds. The coastline that stretches from Saint-Trojan-les-Bains to the Pointe de Bellevue is therefore not the most suitable for swimming. The sea withdraws far away at low tide but fishing on foot is not allowed because the site is protected.
On the other hand, the Saint-Trojan forest, in the west, is composed of very beautiful sandy beaches. Facing the ocean, they are particularly appreciated by the adepts of sliding sports like surfing, kitesurfing and bodyboarding. There are also several surf schools. The large beach of Saint-Trojan remains a popular meeting place even at low tide, because it is possible to practice sand yachting. The setting, lined with wood, is also appreciated by lovers of wild nature and large preserved areas. This beach of the Ile d'Oléron is ideal if you like waves.
To swim with younger children, go to Gatseau beach, at the south-eastern end of the island: it is also bordered by the forest of Saint-Trojan but turned towards the continent on the side of the Maumusson breakwater. It is therefore sheltered from sea currents and winds.
West Coast Beaches
On the west coast of Ile d'Oléron, north of the long beach of Saint-Trojan, there is a succession of large beaches and famous surf spots : on the side of Grand-Village, Perroche bay and the coastal hamlets of Saint-Pierre, the sandy coast offers large spaces perfect for idleness and water sports. To the north, before the Pointe de Chassiron, the beach of La Hutte is a mecca for water sports: windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing and bodyboarding.
In Saint-Denis d'Oléron, on the other side of the Pointe, beaches with lower waves are ideal for families: for sand games and family swims, head for example to the beach of Brée-les-Pins or the beach of Boirie, a stone's throw from the marina of Saint-Denis: its colorful beach cabins give it a unique charm.
Going down to the east coast of the island, you will also find the magnificent beach of Gautrelle, on the territory of Saint-Georges d'Oléron. West of the port of Le Douhet, it is quiet and offers a unobstructed view on the island of Aix and Fort Boyard. Continuing eastward, we arrive on the salmon beach, another preserved site: bordered by the forest, this beach of the Ile d'Oléron is one of the wildest of the island. It extends to Boyardville beach, behind a stretch of sand before the oyster beds, just before the port.
