#537 European Rank
Plage de Saint-Nicolas
Îles Glénan, Finistère, France•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Pmau (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.27/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
18.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€64/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Calm & Glassy
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Plage de Saint-Nicolas: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Îles Glénan, Finistère, France
Crisp & Bracing
Early August
18.2°C
Air ~29°C
Short dips only; spring wetsuit recommended
Invigorating cold dip. Swimmers generally wear a shorty wetsuit for sessions over 10–15 minutes.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 18.2°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.0°C | 15°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 10.3°C | 16°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 10.2°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 11.6°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 13.7°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 16.0°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 17.6°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| August | 18.2°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| September | 17.3°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| October | 15.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 14.1°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 12.4°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all France Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Peak 18.2°C in August · cold-water plunge / wetsuit season
Planning around peak water warmth (18.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Plage de Saint-Nicolas for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Plage de Saint-Nicolas (Îles Glénan, Finistère, France)
🌊 Water temperature: 18.2°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/plage-de-saint-nicolas-fr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.5 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.7 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Plage de Saint-Nicolas
White shell-sand and clear shallows ten miles off the Finistère coast; sailors call the Glénans the Breton Tahiti.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located on Île Saint-Nicolas in the Glénan Archipelago off Concarneau/Fouesnant (Finistère, Brittany); accessible only by seasonal passenger ferries (April-September).
•Protected Status / Environment: Natura 2000 marine protected zone; home to the Saint-Nicolas Nature Reserve dedicated to preserving the endemic Glénan Narcissus.
•Notable Feature: Fine white sand tombolo spit, ultra-clear turquoise lagoon ('La Chambre'), and base of the internationally renowned Les Glénans sailing school.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Îles Glénan, Finistère. Accessible via regional coastal roads (47.724°N, -3.999°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Plage de Saint-Nicolas involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Gin-clear and brisk; calmest in the lagoon-like La Chambre anchorage between the isles.
•Car-free islet of the Glénan archipelago ten miles off Fouesnant, seasonal boats from Bénodet and Concarneau.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Îles Glénan, Finistère, France.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Plage de Saint-Nicolas?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plage de Saint-Nicolas
What is the water temperature at Plage de Saint-Nicolas?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Plage de Saint-Nicolas averages 18.2°C (65°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Plage de Saint-Nicolas?
Plage de Saint-Nicolas is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Îles Glénan, Finistère, France.
Is Plage de Saint-Nicolas good for families with kids?
Plage de Saint-Nicolas has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Plage de Saint-Nicolas?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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