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Saint-Leu is a world-class left-hand reef break on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, producing fast, barreling walls over a shallow coral reef shelf. The wave has a professional pedigree, having hosted international competitions. However, the documented presence of bull sharks in the surrounding waters has significantly impacted the surf community here, with government-imposed swimming bans at times affecting access. When conditions align and access permits, the wave is among the finest lefts in the Indian Ocean.
South-westerly groundswells from May through October deliver the most powerful conditions. The wave needs 4ft-plus swell and handles up to 10ft. Easterly offshore trade winds are consistent during the dry season. The wave works best on a mid-tide when the reef has adequate water coverage.
The take-off zone sits on the outside reef ledge where the swell first pitches. The left barrels immediately from the drop before opening into a fast, racing wall. Position on the boil at the reef edge. The deep channel provides entry and exit.
Bull sharks represent a serious and documented threat. Multiple attacks have occurred in the waters around Reunion. Local authorities have imposed swimming/surfing bans at times. The coral reef is shallow and sharp. The wave breaks with significant force. Check current regulations and shark risk assessments before surfing.
Parking in Saint-Leu town near the beach. Access to the water is straightforward. Check local shark alert systems and any active bans before entering. The town has full facilities. Reunion is a French overseas department accessed by flights from Paris or regional hubs.
The shark threat has reduced the number of surfers significantly from historical levels. Those who paddle out are committed and experienced. The French surfing community on Reunion remains dedicated despite the risks. The atmosphere is intense but camaraderie is strong among those sharing the water.
Always check the shark monitoring systems (Vigishark) before entering the water. Never surf alone. Avoid murky water, dawn/dusk sessions, and areas near river mouths. The wave quality is exceptional when conditions align; the barrel section on the take-off rivals anything in the Indian Ocean. A standard shortboard works well. The French-speaking community is welcoming to respectful visitors.
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Based on historical weekly averages
Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
How busy each week is based on school holiday overlap from feeder markets.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 29 days of logged conditions.
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Create Profile →Current conditions refresh every 3 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Saint-Leu. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical mid-June.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
The best week for surf at Saint-Leu is the week of 30 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Next to nothing in the water. Check back tomorrow. Light offshore grooming the faces nicely.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rip risk elevated.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
Crystal clear water: ~33m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Saint-Leu