The beach at Pontaillac was made fashionable by the Lacaze Family from Bordeaux, and has been frequented from the beginning by a worldly "high class" clientele. Nestled between ruggedly cliffs, the bay of Chay is the most intimate and one of the best beaches for families in Royan. The bay of Pigeonnier is also very calm. In the bathing season, pigeons fly around the cliffs.

The beaches from Saint-Georges to the Grande Côte as well as the unspoiled Côte Sauvage (the wild coast) are supervised by seasonal lifeguards from the Société Nautique de Sauvetage en Mer (The Nautical Lifesaving Society). There are more than 20 first aid posts along the coast.