Île Grande East (Trébeurden)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Shallow, Flat, Chop
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Île Grande East (Trébeurden) is a shallow, mostly flat kitesurfing launch on the southeast side of Île Grande, with clean water but a highly tide-dependent, lagoon-like setup. The ride area changes noticeably through the day: mid-tide offers the most usable depth, while at low tide the water recedes enough to expose rocks and oyster beds. The spot is best with winds from the east and north-east through the south-east (NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE). Providers specifically note that East/North-East flow here can be cleaner than in other North Brittany options, which is a big part of why riders value the location. Gusts are described as light, and the typical usable wind range is around 12–25 knots, supporting both freeride and foiling when there is sufficient depth. Safety planning is essential due to underwater/near-surface hazards and macrotidal exposure. Sources highlight oyster farming zones and the need to avoid them, and they warn that kiting becomes difficult at extreme high tide (not enough beach/landing room) and dangerous at low tide (exposed rocks and oyster beds). A common on-water timing guidance is to aim for roughly two hours before to two hours after high tide, while also checking the tidal coefficient. For gear and discipline, boots are strongly recommended because sharp rock/shell hazards are present where the water is shallow. The spot is also described as moderate in launch difficulty and generally intermediate-appropriate, aligning with its combination of shallow water and rocky bottom. No lifeguard presence is indicated at the launch, so rider readiness for self-rescue is important, even though the wider area has maritime rescue coverage through SNSM for the surrounding waters.
- Shallow, flat water with rocky/oyster hazards
- Good East to North-East wind quality for the region
- Practical when timed to high tide (roughly ±2 hours)
- Shallow, mostly flat water (flat-to-chop) that supports freeride and foil practice when timed to tide.
- Works well in NE to SE winds, where conditions can be cleaner than in other North Brittany locations.
- Calm/contained launch environment with a quiet, low-profile feel.
- Strong tidal constraint: best sailing window is limited around high tide.
- Exposed rocks and oyster beds at low tide increase danger.
- Very high tides can leave insufficient beach area for landing/takeoff.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider cites frontal wind; works best with NE to SE directions.
- Reliability
- Highly valued because it works in East and North-East winds, which are often cleaner here than at other North Brittany spots.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Shallow, Flat, Chop
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach environment, but sandbars/recession reveal rocks and oyster beds.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Flat — Wave conditions described as flat (primarily a flat water/lagoon environment).
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Described as flat-to-chop / shallow flat conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Small, tidal shoreline on the southeast of Île Grande; sand becomes very narrow at high tide.
Through the year
Can be busy with local riders on weekends and during summer holidays.
Winter months (November to February) are prone to Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat (flat-to-chop) freeride area with rocky hazards. Works best with northeasterly to southeasterly winds (NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE). Suitable for freeriding and also considered good for foiling when there is enough depth mid-tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Flat water inside the bay makes it suitable for slalom and foil disciplines in the right tidal conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Excellent for wingfoiling around mid-to-high tide; flat conditions are described as a training-friendly area.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Requires mid-tide to ensure enough depth over sandbars and rocks.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Île Grande East (Trébeurden) in the full forecast view.
Île Grande East (Trébeurden) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–27 ktsGusts 44 kts
- Direction
- SW235°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2427 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–4.2 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Île Grande East (Trébeurden) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–27 kts, peaking around 27 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 44 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–4.2 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Oyster beds
- Tidal range
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Spot-level sources indicate no on-site rescue at the launch; however, the wider cluster has SNSM rescue capability in Trébeurden for the surrounding maritime area.
- Emergency Info
- For maritime emergencies, dial 196 (and/or use VHF Channel 16); for general emergencies dial 112. Nearest major hospital: Centre Hospitalier de Lannion-Trestel.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Sources indicate no localism/friction.
Rules of the spot
Respect oyster farming zones. Kiting is difficult at extreme high tide due to lack of beach, and dangerous at low tide due to exposed rocks and oyster beds. Practice with caution around rocks and oyster beds; use local kite-zone markings if present.
- Difficult to kite at extreme high tide due to lack of landing area.
- Dangerous at low tide due to exposed rocks and oyster beds.
- Stay out of marked/active oyster farming zones.
- Plan for the window roughly 2 hours before to 2 hours after high tide.
- Check tidal coefficient (very high tides leave little/no room to land).
- Boots are recommended due to sharp rocks and shells.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pleumeur-Bodou
- Nearest Town
- Trébeurden
- Parking
- Grass parking area (near the camping roundabout on Île Grande) and small parking areas near the coastal path / sailing center.
- Access
- From Brest drive east on N12. In Morlaix get onto D786 northeast to Lannion. From here drive northwest to Trébeurden and further to Île Grande. Once on the island, head to the southeast coast. Parking noted near the camping roundabout on Île Grande (grass parking area).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and gîtes in Pleumeur-Bodou and nearby stays around Trébeurden.
- Food & Drink
- Local creperies and small restaurants are available on Île Grande and in nearby Trébeurden.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available through local schools/centers in the Île Grande / Trébeurden area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Famed for its unique rose-colored rock formations and coastal paths.
The 'Customs Officers' Path' with panoramic views of the archipelago and rugged coastline.
Local Breton dining with a focus on seafood and regional cuisine.
An aquarium built into natural pink granite caves.
Beach activities and family-friendly swimming in the bay.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Île Grande East (Trébeurden)?
The best overall months at Île Grande East (Trébeurden) are April, May, June, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Île Grande East (Trébeurden)?
Île Grande East (Trébeurden) works with NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Île Grande East (Trébeurden)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Île Grande East (Trébeurden): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Île Grande East (Trébeurden) suitable for?
Île Grande East (Trébeurden) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.