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Argelès-sur-Mer — Centre Plage — Pyrénées-Orientales. First resort of the Côte Vermeille, largest camping town in Europe. Immense sandy beach facing east. Port d'Argelès (fishing & pleasure harbour) to the south with its breakwater. Promenade du Front de Mer, beach clubs, restaurants.
Main advantage over Le Racou: no wind shadow from the harbour on Marin (SE) — waves form well thanks to the breakwater. Parking before the harbour. Good surf spot too: beachbreak transitioning to reef, holds large swells up to 2.50 m (rare in this region). By Tramontane strong and oriented north: a sandbar creates nice small waves.
The thermal SE arrives 30 minutes after Le Racou and leaves 30 minutes earlier. Profites from the Cap Béar cape effect but less intensely than Le Racou. Chenal d'accès (navigation channel) available in summer for crossing the 300 m zone.
Central Windsurf — Beach club & sailing school, 40+ years. Windsurf, catamaran, SUP, kayak, dinghy. Courses, rental, beach club with loungers. Located at southern end of main beach, foot of Massif des Albères. www.centralwindsurf.com
Sandy bottom, transitions to reef in places (south side near rocks). Beach faces ESE. Waves build well by SE near the harbour breakwater — good surf possible, sets up to 2.50 m by strong E/NE swell (ephemeral but powerful, rare for the region). By Tramontane oriented north: sandbar creates small fun waves. Water 14-16°C winter, 20-25°C summer.
Intermediate
Open all year round
Sailing year-round. In summer (June-September): kite zone delineated by buoys. Access channel for crossing the 300 m bathing zone. Lifeguard surveillance. Best: March-June (Tramontane) + July-August (thermal SE).
Large parking before the harbour (Parking du Port). Paid June 1 to September 30 (9 AM-midnight). First half hour free. Also: Parking du Casino, Parking des Platanes, Parking du Grau (centre plage) — all paid in summer. 14 other free beach car parks available.
Harbour entrance: maritime traffic — maintain safe distance from the harbour mouth and breakwater. Digue: waves can build near the harbour breakwater by SE wind — powerful shorebreak possible. Offshore Tramontane: wind shadow behind the harbour breakwater, then strengthens offshore — don't venture too far without upwind ability. Beachbreak / reef: beach break transitions to reef in places — rocks on the south side, watch out for left waves near the rocks. Crowds in summer — many swimmers, kite zone balisage mandatory.
Tramontane (NW/NNW/N): dominant land wind, offshore. Less intense than at Le Racou or Leucate. By Tramontane forte: rideable, especially with north component which creates a sandbar wave. Wind shadow behind harbour breakwater.
Marin / SE Thermal: onshore, waves. Arrives 30 min after Racou, leaves 30 min before. Better wave formation here than Racou thanks to harbour breakwater. Can reach 25+ knots in summer thermals. Possible gros shorebreak by SE fort.
Tip: can be crowded (largest resort on the coast). If packed, head to Le Racou (less crowded) or Argelès Nord (wider space).
07:29 | 18:32
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