Rows of fishing boats rest on the sandy shore, their hulls painted in shades of green, red, and ochre, some tilted at angles as if recently hauled from the water. Clusters of small figures gather along the beach, some standing near the boats, others dispersed in groups, their forms rendered with quick, loose brushstrokes. To the left, the sea stretches out under a pale, cloud-filled sky, its surface broken by the reflections of two small sailboats with red sails, gliding close to the surf.

The waves lap against the shore in broad, luminous strokes of white and pale yellow, blending into the sand and echoing the light that suffuses the entire scene. Beyond the beach, a dramatic cliff rises steeply, its face marked by striations of brown and ochre, with the natural arch of the Porte d'Amont visible at the water’s edge. A scattering of buildings appears at the far right, their forms softened by the hazy light, while the sky above is filled with swirling clouds painted in tones of cream, blue, and lavender.

Brushwork throughout is lively and varied, with thicker, textured strokes in the boats and cliffs, and softer, blended passages in the sky and water. Small details, such as the shadows cast by the boats and the glint of light on the wet sand, reveal the artist’s careful observation of natural effects. The subject includes the English Channel, the beach of Étretat, and the distinctive arch of the Porte d'Amont, all elements noted in the work’s title and collection records. Fishing vessels, sailboats, and a bark are present in the scene, as described in the museum’s documentation.