Kaolin (Plœmeur)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kaolin (also known as Kaolins) is an exposed right-hand reef break off the Plœmeur coast in Brittany. It’s primarily a challenging, expert-only surfing spot: the takeoff and landing area are reef-rocky with sharp rocks throughout the impact zone, and conditions can become very heavy as swell builds. Wave character is consistently described as hollow, fast, and powerful, with tube sections when the timing and exposure are right. Working swell is reported starting around 1.5–2.0m, with the wave able to hold size up to about 2.5m or more. Ride length is generally short under about 50m, but exceptional days can produce much longer rides. Wind and sea state matter a lot for surf quality. Offshore grooming is reported for East, SouthEast, and NorthEast winds, and the spot is described as exposed with partial effects from the cliffs on northerly winds. However, wind direction and condition windows are not always favorable—wind reliability is reported as low in one dataset, and the wave only “works when conditions are just right.” Safety considerations are critical: hazards include rocks/reef, strong currents and possible rip tides, and moderate localism. Local guidance emphasizes watching the wave and reef depth before entering, and that the best performance is often on a rising mid-tide. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is inconsistent across datasets (limited vs none; seasonal vs none), so plan conservatively.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with hollow, fast, powerful waves
- Reef/rock hazards with sharp rocks and shallow reef patches
- Swell-focused spot starting around 1.5–2.0m and holding up to 2.5m+
- Offshore-grooming possible with East to NorthEast winds
- Powerful, hollow right-hand reef break with tube sections on the right days.
- Well-known regional classic with high wave quality.
- Swell window reported starting around 1.5–2.0m and holding up to 2.5m+.
- Offshore grooming possible with East through NorthEast winds.
- Very hazardous reef/rock environment with sharp rocks and shallow reef patches.
- Strong currents and rip tides can occur near the reef and rocks.
- Requires expert-level ability and precise conditions; spot reliability is low.
- Localism can be a factor.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, ENE, NE, E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE, NE
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal in one dataset; another dataset reports onshore/west-leaning onshore conditions for kitesurfing potential.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- Partially sheltered from northerly winds by the cliffs.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — One dataset notes sand; another describes rocks in the beach composition. The surf zone is reef-rocky.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Swell/reef break that can get up to 2.5m+; another dataset describes small wave size, indicating strong day-to-day variability.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry from cliffs or a small rocky shoreline.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Launch difficulty is reported easy in one dataset and difficult in another; reef/rock entry is emphasized.
Through the year
Weekends can be crowded; weekdays generally quieter.
Increased rainfall and storm activity from late October through February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Poor suitability reported; wind is typically onshore (west) and conditions are weak, with no quantified kite-size or style data.
Occasional windsurfing during strong wind; no specific style or sail-size data provided.
Exposed right-hand reef break with hollow, fast, powerful waves and tube sections when conditions are precise.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Low tide noted as best in one dataset; another reports best at mid tide (rising tide / rising mid-tide).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef break; one dataset also describes partial shelter from northerly winds by the cliffs and semi-sheltered behavior on the face.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore-grooming reported for East, SouthEast, and NorthEast winds for the face of the wave; one dataset also notes wind can be onshore in typical conditions, making the wave harder to read/ride.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to about 2.5m or more; becomes very heavy and hollow.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as regional classic / world-class in different datasets.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast and powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Known for hollow sections.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical rides often under 50m; longer rides on exceptional days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are short (< 50m). On exceptional days, rides can extend to roughly 150–300m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kaolin (Plœmeur) in the full forecast view.
Kaolin (Plœmeur) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–25 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- WSW237°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2425 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–3.3 m9s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kaolin (Plœmeur) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–25 kts, peaking around 25 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.6–3.3 m with a period of about 9s. 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
- reef
- localism
- sharp rocks
- shallow reef
- strong currents
- rip tides
- coral
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal lifeguards reported in one dataset; another dataset indicates none.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue described as limited in one dataset; another dataset indicates no rescue.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism noted as a hazard; also described as moderate.
Rules of the spot
General surf etiquette applies; respect local surfers who frequent this peak.
- Dogs prohibited 15 June–15 September.
- Access is from the cliffs near Trouillalard—watch the wave for a while before entering to understand reef depth.
- Best performance is usually found on a rising mid-tide.
- Only works when conditions are just right.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lorient
- Nearest Town
- Plœmeur
- Nearest Airport
- Lorient South Brittany Airport (LRT)
- Parking
- Large parking at the golf entrance on D152 is reported; second parking at the beach end near a rescue post; limited parking near some coastal access points/cliff access points is also reported.
- Public Transport
- CTRL bus network connects Ploemeur and Guidel to Lorient city center and the Lorient TGV train station
- Access
- Accessible via the coastal road toward Trouillalard; a short walk from the parking area to the cliffs is required. One access description also notes driving to Fort-Bloqué via D152 and parking at the golf entrance or near the beach end by the rescue post.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various gites, hotels, and rentals available in Plœmeur and nearby Lorient.
- Food & Drink
- Facilities such as a bar are reported; local cafes and restaurants available in Plœmeur.
- Equipment Rental:
- Reported as available at major surf schools and nautical centers along the Guidel and Fort Bloqué coastline (regional context).
- Gear Storage
- Storage offered by local nautical centers and some surf schools for members or multi-day courses is reported in the regional context.
- Gear Repair
- Specialized surf and sail repair shops in the Lorient area are reported.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Lorient coast offers a strong board-sport culture alongside coastal scenery and nautical heritage sites.
Grand Loch Marsh Nature Reserve dominated by Fort du Loch.
An interactive museum dedicated to offshore racing and sailing techniques.
A historic fort protecting the Bay of Lorient from English ships.
A massive WWII German submarine base now repurposed for modern nautical industry and tours.
The famous Breton coastal hiking trail offering views of Atlantic cliffs and beaches.
A hub of seasonal bars and creperies.
Safe, sandy areas and rock pooling opportunities at low tide across various beaches.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kaolin (Plœmeur)?
The best overall months at Kaolin (Plœmeur) are September, October, November, December, March, April, May, June. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Kaolin (Plœmeur)?
Kaolin (Plœmeur) works with NNE, ENE, NE, E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE, NE.
What skill level is Kaolin (Plœmeur) suitable for?
Kaolin (Plœmeur) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Expert.