Surfing Crozon Peninsula

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 2/5

W-NW swell, high tide

La Palue is the most consistent beach break on the Crozon Peninsula in Brittany, a wide sandy bay open to swell from a broad angle.

It holds size well and on good days has punchy peaks with few people out. The water is cold and the tides are big, so check the tide times. Best on a clean west to north-west swell.

Autumn and winter are the main season, and the water is cold, so a 5/4 wetsuit with boots is normal. Swimming is banned here because of the currents, which tells you how strong they get. Crozon and Morgat, a few minutes away, have places to stay and eat.

Reef/Beach · Best Sep-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 1/5

W swell, NE offshore wind, all tides

Anse de Dinan is a cove on the Crozon Peninsula with rock arches and sea caves, close to La Palue. The bottom is rockier than La Palue's sand, so the waves are more variable.

It faces a slightly different direction, so it's worth checking when the wind or swell doesn't suit La Palue. Be careful of the rocks.

The walk down from the car park on the cliff is part of the appeal, with views of the rock arches. It's best at mid tide on a moderate swell. If it isn't working, La Palue is a few minutes south.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-5 ft · Crowd 2/5

Small-mod SW swell, NNE offshore wind

Porsmilin is a small, sheltered bay near Brest, surfed mostly by people from the city. It's easier than the open beaches on the Crozon Peninsula.

The shelter keeps it surfable in more wind conditions, which makes it a good backup when the outer coast is too big or blown out. Best on a small to medium swell.

It's a good place to learn or to surf on a small swell, and in summer there's a lifeguard post. Brest is about twenty minutes away, so it gets busy after work and at weekends.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-5 ft · Crowd 2/5

Small-mod swell, sheltered, low tide

Le Petit Minou is a beach and point next to the lighthouse of the same name, west of Brest, at the entrance to the Goulet. It's best at low tide on a small to medium swell, and it's usually smaller than the open beaches of the Crozon Peninsula across the water.

Being so close to the city, it's the local spot for Brest surfers, and it gets busy after work and at weekends when it's on.

It's best in autumn and winter, when there's enough swell to get into the Goulet. In summer it's usually small and suits beginners. The lighthouse and the coastal path above the beach are worth a walk.