Le Linnes
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Le Linnes is a wide, sandy Plouhinec beach with crystal-clear coastal water and generally easy access for launching and riding. Conditions are strongly tied to West-sector winds (especially W, WSW and WNW), with typical workable speeds often in the mid-teens up to around 30 knots depending on the day. The coastline has both small-to-medium wave activity and space for multiple lines/launches, which supports freeride-focused sessions as well as progression into wave riding. Wind behavior is described in two ways by sources: one emphasizes sea-breeze influence (with potential afternoon boosts in warm seasons), while another characterizes the wind as more frontal and reliable in spring/autumn weather patterns. Seasonal effects also matter for safety and access: a protected biotope and the nearby military zone impose time-based restrictions, so riders must plan around the closure period and current military flags. For kitesurfing and wind sports, the spot is commonly framed as ocean-side friendly with WSW–WNW winds, while sheltered lagoon access is described as safer for beginners but can be restricted seasonally. Expect shore-break impacts at high tide, pebbles/galets on the seabed, and the potential for strong currents/rip conditions when swell is heavier. Surfing is possible on a beach-break setup that tends to require sufficient swell to deliver consistent waves; quality is generally described as average, with waves that can hold size when swell is strong but may close out on very large swell. Wind can also degrade surf cleanly at times, so choosing lower-wind/cleaner windows (and respecting tide) is important for a safer, more controllable session.
- Large sandy beach with easy self-launch
- West/WSW/WNW winds are the core directions
- Crystal-clear water
- Military zone and biotope restrictions require careful planning
- Very large sandy beach with easy self-launch and plenty of space
- Crystal-clear water
- Strong match for West/WSW/WNW winds for kitesurfing and wind sports
- Wave riding possible on the ocean side when swell is strong
- Nearby military training/shooting zone with restricted access during practice windows
- Biotope protection closure can restrict navigation in winter
- Currents/rip currents can occur during heavy swell
- Surf conditions can get messy in higher winds
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- WSW, W, WNW
- Offshore directions
- NE
- No-go directions
- N, NNE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Providers disagree: one describes sea-breeze conditions, another describes frontal West winds. Both indicate W to WSW–WNW as the core directions.
- Reliability
- Reliable during the autumn and spring depression seasons.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gusts described as moderate by multiple sources.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October, November
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: W, W, W · Light sea breezes can develop on warm afternoons in spring and summer, occasionally boosting to rideable wind levels.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Medium — Providers differ between 'medium' and 'small-to-medium'; multiple sources describe it as small-to-medium wave conditions overall.
- Launch
- Big — Very wide sandy beach with space for multiple kites/lines and safe launching.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Wide sandy beach with shallow water near shore; easy self-launch.
Through the year
Moderate in summer; very quiet during winter; busy on weekends with local riders.
Winter (December to February) is the primary storm season with frequent rain and high winds.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Works with WSW–WNW winds; a large sandy beach supports safe launches and space for freeride and wave progression. Ocean-side performance is favored when conditions build; lagoon areas can be beginner-friendly but may be seasonally restricted.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable in both the sheltered lagoon area and on the ocean side depending on wind; wave riding/jumping is noted, with a shift to more exposed conditions versus nearby lagoons. Seasonal restrictions can apply to the lagoon.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Sheltered lagoon is indicated as ideal for beginners (with seasonal prohibition), while the ocean side can work with W–WSW–WNW winds when swell is manageable. Sandy bottom is described as foil-friendly.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- approximately 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Long, sandy beach-break that needs sufficient swell to receive waves; works best with stronger swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide indicated as optimal by one provider.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — One source characterizes semi-sheltered; another characterizes exposed—overall indicates limited protection from prevailing wind/wave conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Wind conditions can make the break messy in higher winds; west winds are a sideshore influence, while clean conditions may be associated with light winds/offshore-like directions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold size when swell is strong, but on very large swell waves can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — One source describes peeling; another describes mushy and can get messy in high winds.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Multiple peaks along a long beach can allow several surfing options along the shore.
- Ride Length Details
- Several peaks along the beach; waves can be spaced along the shoreline.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Le Linnes in the full forecast view.
Le Linnes wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–25 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- WSW239°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2425 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–3.1 m9s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Le Linnes 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 0.5–3.1 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
- Military training/shooting zone nearby (restricted access during practice windows)
- Currents (moderate tidal currents in the lagoon; strong currents/rip currents can occur during heavy swell)
- Rip currents
- Shore break (small to moderate; higher impact at high tide)
- Pebbles/galets on the seabed
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — One provider indicates no rescue availability at the spot; regional context notes limited maritime rescue with SNSM stations in nearby areas.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency call 112.
Rules of the spot
Respect the biotope/military restrictions. If red military flags are raised, the area is closed for shooting practice; do not enter the restricted military zone. For navigation and watercraft, follow the biotope protection closure from October 1 to March 31.
- Biotope protection: no navigation Oct 1–Mar 31 (kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle, SUP, kayak).
- Access limited during military firing/shooting windows; do not ride in the restricted military zone.
- Avoid north winds for beginners due to a nearby road exposure.
- Check the military calendar before traveling; observe the flags/signs and stay out of the restricted zone.
- Respect the biotope closure (October 1 to March 31) for all nautical crafts.
- Be aware that parking access/restrictions can apply outside the summer period.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lorient
- Nearest Town
- Plouhinec
- Parking
- Large free parking near the beach (very close; daily open in July–August, weekends only outside the summer period per one provider).
- Access
- From Lorient drive to Port-Louis and then via Plouhinec towards Gavres. Once you reach the ocean, go straight to the water. Alternatively, from Plouhinec follow signs for the Plage des Linès or Gâvres; a long road leads through the dunes to a large dedicated parking area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Campsites, holiday rentals (gîtes), and local hotels in Plouhinec, Étel, and Erdeven.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach; shops and restaurants are in Plouhinec or Gâvres town centers.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops for surfing, kitesurfing, and wingfoiling are available in Plouhinec and the neighboring town of Erdeven.
- Gear Storage
- Limited dedicated gear storage is available through local schools; most riders use personal vehicles or local accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services can be found in Lorient or nearby surf shops in Auray.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Coastal river estuary known for diverse landscapes and the iconic St Cado island house.
Historic 16th-century citadel housing the Museum of the East India Company.
Part of the Customs Officers’ Path, offering hiking along the rugged Brittany coastline.
Local eateries specializing in fresh Breton seafood and traditional crêpes.
Protected natural area with vast dunes and family-friendly beaches for exploring.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Le Linnes?
The best overall months at Le Linnes are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are March, April, May, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Le Linnes?
Le Linnes works with WSW, W, WNW winds. Offshore directions are NE. No-go directions are N, NNE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Le Linnes?
Recommended equipment sizes at Le Linnes: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Le Linnes suitable for?
Le Linnes suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.