Kerlouan
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Kerlouan (Plage de Boutrouilles) is an exposed sandy beach break in North Brittany that can deliver punchy, hollow, fast waves in both directions. It’s associated with dramatic granite formations, and the break is known to work intermittently rather than consistently all season. For surfing, it’s typically best at mid to high tide, when the wave holds shape better, and when the swell and wind line up. Reported working swell ranges start around 1.0–1.5m, with sets holding up to roughly 3m+ (about 10ft+). Rides are usually short (commonly under 50m), but on classic days longer runs (around 50–150m) can happen. Wind can also bring other water-sports interest: North-West conditions are linked with wave riding, while South/South-East winds are described as offshore for surfing. Wind reliability is described as moderate and dependent on Atlantic low-pressure systems, with stronger winds at times during October through March. Safety-wise, the spot’s “chaos granitique” reputation is serious: submerged rocks and shoreline boulders can be dangerous, particularly at higher tide if you don’t know where they are. Rip currents are also noted, and local guidance emphasizes scouting rock positions at low tide and respecting summer swimming-zone rules.
- Exposed beach break with hollow, fast waves
- Both lefts and rights
- Works best at mid to high tide with suitable swell angle
- Rock hazards require scouting and careful tide awareness
- Often powerful, hollow, fast waves with both lefts and rights on a sandy bottom.
- Good match when swell and wind timing are right (often mid to high tide and suitable offshore wind).
- Rarely crowded overall outside peak summer (weekends can be busier).
- Exposed, rock-lined beach break with significant hazards—especially dangerous when you don’t know where the rocks sit at higher tide.
- Works only sometimes; conditions vary and the usable days can be limited.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, W, NNE
- Offshore directions
- SSE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Atlantic-driven strong winds at times, with occasional summer sea-breeze development in the afternoon.
- Reliability
- Wind reliability is moderate and depends heavily on Atlantic low-pressure systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Wind is reported as gusty/mixed with moderate gusting.
- Best Months
- October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy bottom with surrounding rock formations.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Some sources describe small surf; another source describes medium wave conditions depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Instant access / under 5 minutes walk from the village; wider sandy beach at low and mid tide but becomes restricted by boulders at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launch is described as easy in some contexts, but can effectively become moderate due to restricted access at high tide and numerous boulders.
Through the year
Weekdays are generally quiet; weekends can be crowded with locals. Summer brings more tourists.
Winter months see frequent Atlantic storms; autumn and winter (October–February) can bring increased rainfall and storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Used primarily as a wave-riding spot when North-West winds blow; rocks make it an intermediate to advanced location.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Well-regarded wave spot in North Finistère, particularly good for jumping and riding in North-West conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.2–5.7 m²
Possible at higher tides, but granite boulders pose significant risk to foils.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Boulders significantly increase risk for foils.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break that breaks left and right on a sandy bottom, producing punchy, hollow, fast waves close to dramatic granite formations.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also commonly stated as best around mid to high tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Best with southeast offshore winds for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size up to about 3m+; larger sets become very heavy/challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as regional classic wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal rides are typically short (<50m); on good days 50–150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides usually under 50m; classic days can reach around 150m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Kerlouan in the full forecast view.
Kerlouan wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–26 ktsGusts 43 kts
- Direction
- SW228°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2426 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 9–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Kerlouan is forecast for daytime winds of 3–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–4.4 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
- Submerged rocks
- Rocks
- Rip currents
- Cold water
- Granite boulders on shore
- Sensitive dunes protection
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are reported as seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited for the immediate spot context.
- Emergency Info
- Call 112 for general emergencies or 196 for maritime rescue (CROSS).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local guidance indicates mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming zones during summer months (July and August). Follow local guidance on where the rocks are relative to tide/peaks.
- Summer swimming zones
- Sensitive dunes protection
- Scout the rocks at low tide to understand where they sit relative to the peaks.
- Follow surfers' cars to find Boutrouilles when navigating to the break.
- Works best on a rising mid-tide (and is especially important to match timing due to the hazards at higher tide).
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Brest
- Nearest Town
- Kerlouan
- Parking
- Parking available directly at the Plage de Boutrouilles entrance / near the beach.
- Access
- Drive from Kerlouan village to the coast and ask for Boutrouilles (or follow surfers' cars). Parking is available near the beach entrance.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping and guesthouses are available in Kerlouan and nearby Meneham.
- Food & Drink
- Small snack bars and restaurants are available in the village of Kerlouan and the Meneham site.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available at the local surf school and nearby shops in Brignogan.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Kerlouan?
The best overall months at Kerlouan are October, September, November, December, January, February, March, April, May. The best wind months are October.
Which wind directions work at Kerlouan?
Kerlouan works with N, NNW, W, NNE winds. Offshore directions are SSE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Kerlouan?
Recommended equipment sizes at Kerlouan: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.2–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Kerlouan suitable for?
Kerlouan suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Expert.