Penhors (Harbour Break)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Penhors (Harbour Break) is a consistent wave spot in the Baie d'Audierne that mixes a sandy beach-break character with more technical harbor/reef influence. The water is reported as crystal-clear, and surf quality is generally described as good with a moderate amount of wave power. Typical wave sizes are around 1–2 meters for the better conditions, and rides are often described as roughly 50 to 150 meters on good days. Wind and swell align best when you get clean offshore airflow from the east/northeast, while the wind regime can show a seasonal pattern: thermal/sea-breeze reinforcement is noted regionally during sunny afternoons in late spring and summer. Typical reported wind speeds for the spot are about 15–25 knots, with moderate gustiness. For surfing, the workable swell window is generally described around 1–2 meters and west/northwest/southwest directions, with mid-tide being a commonly recommended tide position. The main safety concerns are currents and hard features near the waterline. Rip currents (baïnes) and moderate lateral currents are repeatedly flagged, along with rocks on the right side, submerged rocks, reef sections near the pier, and a harbor wall/pier presence. Shorebreak can also be moderate at high tide. Local guidance emphasizes inspecting at low tide (to understand baïnes) and watching carefully for rocks and current when entering or paddling from the harbor. For kitesurfing, the harbor area is described as versatile but requires caution due to the pier and nearby rocks; conditions are best in southwest to west winds and suitable for intermediate riders. Lifeguards are seasonal, rescue availability is reported as limited, and emergency access is via local services (112) with Quimper identified for hospital access. Overall, the spot is a well-regarded alternative within the region, with a crowd that can be sometimes crowded—particularly on busier days—while calmer periods are reported in the off-season.
- Crystal-clear water and good surf quality
- Working swell window around 1–2 meters from the west/northwest
- Offshore wind optimum from east/northeast for cleaner conditions
- Technical harbor-side hazards: rocks/reef and rip currents (baïnes)
- Consistent wave-riding with a sandy beach break feel
- Good water quality
- Suitable for intermediate riders looking for variety (beach and harbor-related wave features)
- Exposed Atlantic break—can be rough in the wrong conditions
- Technical hazards: rocks/reef near the pier and harbor wall
- Rip currents (baïnes) and moderate lateral currents
- Shorebreak at high tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW, WSW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- E, NE
- No-go directions
- N, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Dominant wind pattern can include thermal reinforcement in summer afternoons; otherwise influenced by Atlantic systems.
- Reliability
- 53% blown, 32% clean (monthly averages)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- September, October, November, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- Directly behind the harbor wall in North or Northeast winds
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Sources also describe medium waves; surf working window is commonly around 1–2 meters.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy area at low tide; restricted/technical area near the harbor wall during high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Easy on the wide sandy beach at low tide, but can be moderate/technical near the harbor wall at high tide.
Through the year
Sometimes crowded; can be very crowded on sunny weekends and during summer holidays; quieter during winter weekdays.
Atlantic depressions year-round, stronger in winter; winter months see frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Versatile wave-riding; works best in Southwest to West winds near the harbor, but requires caution due to the pier and nearby rocks.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave and freeride, though less commonly cited; launch can be challenging when swell is large.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Feasible but risky near the harbor due to shallow rocks and reef; best at mid to high tide when water is deep enough to clear obstacles.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Harbor break can be more structured; break occurs over a mix of sand and rock/reef.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SW, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Best surfed on an incoming mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — The harbor area provides some shelter compared with open sections, but rocks/reef near the pier mean conditions can remain technical.
- Wind Effect
- East and Northeast winds provide cleaner offshore conditions; offshore from east/northeast produces best conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to around 2.5m+ depending on conditions; reports also note it may close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically offers rides between 50 and 150 meters on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length reported as 50 to 150m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Penhors (Harbour Break) in the full forecast view.
Penhors (Harbour Break) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–26 ktsGusts 40 kts
- Direction
- SW234°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2426 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.0–4.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 9–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Penhors (Harbour Break) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–26 kts, peaking around 26 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 40 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 1.0–4.4 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
- rip currents (baïnes)
- rocks on the right side of the spot
- harbor wall/pier
- submerged rocks
- reef sections near the pier
- strong currents
- shorebreak at high tide
- distance from harbor entrance may affect safety/exposure for kitesurfing zones
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards are seasonal.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited (with regional coast monitoring and nearby active stations).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major hospital is in Quimper; emergency services can be reached via 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Reported as mild localism.
Rules of the spot
Check tide and currents before entering. Respect designated swimming zones during summer months.
- Summer seasonal swimming zones
- Kitesurfing may be restricted to specific areas of the beach during peak season
- Inspect the beach at low tide before riding due to baïnes (rip-current channels).
- Watch for rocks and currents when paddling from the harbor.
- Best surfed on an incoming mid-tide; watch out for the 'Poul' current that can pull you toward the rocks.
- Park near the harbor for the shortest walk to the break.
- If kitesurfing, be aware that areas may be restricted during peak summer season.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Quimper
- Nearest Town
- Plozé·¬vet
- Parking
- Parking available directly at the harbor and along the beachfront; also near the security post (poste de secours) on the beach.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily by car; regional bus lines from Quimper serve the Plozévet and Plovan areas.
- Access
- Accessible by car via the D784 followed by local roads leading to the Penhors harbor area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping sites and holiday rentals are available in Plozévet and Pouldreuzic.
- Food & Drink
- Several crêperies and cafes are located right at the harbor.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental available at the local surf school and nearby shops (also reported as rental availability via the surf school).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area is known for preserved, wild landscapes and deep-rooted Breton culture, with an active wave-riding community.
Dramatic rocky promontory and classified 'Grand Site de France' with panoramic ocean views.
Stunning Gothic cathedral in the historic center of Quimper.
Long-distance hiking trail along the Breton coastline.
Traditional Breton crêperies serving galettes and cider are abundant in Plozévet.
Discovery center focused on sea fishing, located in Le Guilvinec.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Penhors (Harbour Break)?
The best overall months at Penhors (Harbour Break) are September, October, November, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Penhors (Harbour Break)?
Penhors (Harbour Break) works with NW, WSW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are E, NE. No-go directions are N, NE, ENE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Penhors (Harbour Break)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Penhors (Harbour Break): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Penhors (Harbour Break) suitable for?
Penhors (Harbour Break) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.