Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage)
- Longboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pic Kipu is a sheltered reef break in the Larmor-Plage (Toulhars) area, known for fast, hollow, powerful waves when it activates. Multiple sources describe the spot as reliable for the right conditions but overall fickle—smaller swell can leave it flat, and it often needs a larger Atlantic swell to wrap into the harbor entrance effects near Lorient. The wave works when swell reaches roughly 2.5–3 meters and can hold larger sizes, reported to over 5 meters. Preferred swell comes from the west to southwest, while northwest to west winds are described as helping by providing offshore flow that smooths/grooms the face for more tubular lines. Tide preference is mid to high, with rising tide mentioned as beneficial. Access is described as near Toulhars: approach the beach and look left toward the rocks/reef. Conditions at entry are not straightforward—reports include rocky entry where paddling is required to stay at/near the peak, and the spot can be affected by sharp rocks, submerged reef, and nearby harbor traffic. Currents are strong, with rip/undertow and tidal movement called out, and hazards also include pollution. This is not a beginner spot. Sources consistently emphasize strong hazards, localism, and crowding—especially during winter storm periods when swell and wind align. Use extra caution with takeoff/entry around rocks and be prepared for a higher-stakes environment due to the small takeoff zone and the need for a well-timed, bigger swell.
- Hollow, fast, powerful reef sections when activated
- Works best on west/southwest swell with NW/W offshore wind
- Long ride potential on good days
- Sheltered reef break with fast, hollow, powerful sections when it activates.
- Offshore northwest winds can improve wave grooming.
- Long ride potential on the better days.
- Fickle wave conditions; can require very large swells to work.
- Significant hazards: rocks/reef, strong currents with rip/undertow, and pollution.
- Crowding during winter storm periods and moderate localism.
- Not a beginner-appropriate spot; described as backup/rare-access use.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, NW, W
- Offshore directions
- NW, W
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — North to northwest/west gradient winds; spot can be fickle for wave activation.
- Reliability
- inconsistent
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- January, February, December
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered by the coast from easterly winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/flat rocks near Toulhars.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Reported as big; works from around 2.5m+ and can exceed 5m.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky reef access near Toulhars seawall; paddling required to stay at peak.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Rocky entry/re-entry and current/paddling demands; described as moderate to difficult depending on source.
Through the year
Crowded during winter storms; summer typically flatter.
Winter storm season (rainy and windy during winter months).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A sheltered reef break near Toulhars (left of the beach when facing the rocks). Works best on substantial Atlantic swells; the wave is described as fickle and often requires large swell to wrap into the Lorient harbor entrance.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 2.5–5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Mid to high tide is preferred; rising tide is favored.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered reef setup.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore winds from northwest groom/smooth the wave significantly and help create more tubular, cleaner sections.
- Bigger Swell
- Starts working around 2.5m+ and can hold over 5m when conditions wrap in.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic; hollow, fast and powerful when it shows up.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful, high-performance reef waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow sections; can be very powerful when conditions wrap in.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling sections.
- Ride Length
- Long — Typical rides are commonly 50–150m; can extend to ~300m on exceptional days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are typically 50–150m; longer rides (about 150–300m) on better swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) in the full forecast view.
Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–23 ktsGusts 38 kts
- Direction
- SW236°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2423 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–2.2 m9s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 38 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–2.2 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
- Rip currents
- Undertow
- Strong currents
- Submerged reef
- Pollution
- Localism
- Man-made buoys
- Sharp rocks
- Harbor traffic nearby
- blockhaus
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported for the spot itself; regional rescue/lifeguard coverage is limited and mainly seasonal elsewhere in the area.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability reported for this spot.
- Emergency Info
- In France/EU, call 112 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Reported moderate localism; very small takeoff zone increases sensitivity to crowd behavior.
Rules of the spot
Respect des priorites de mise (respect priority/wave priority rules). Standard surfing etiquette applies, and the spot is sensitive to crowding.
- repli uniquement (backup spot only)
- Respect priority rules.
- The spot is very crowded when winter storms bring bigger surf.
- Not recommended for beginners.
- Pay attention to rocks and choose your entry carefully.
- There is a strong current; you must paddle every time to stay at the peak.
- Wait for a massive swell; otherwise the spot will likely be flat.
- Be respectful of the local crew as it is a small takeoff zone.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lorient
- Nearest Town
- Larmor-Plage
- Parking
- Parking available near Toulhars beach, but can be difficult during summer or on good swell days.
- Access
- Follow signs for Larmor-Plage and head toward Toulhars beach; the break is at the rocky point left of the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- FR
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels and rentals available in Larmor-Plage and Lorient.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants within walking distance in the town center.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops exist locally, but for this specific reef you should bring your own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Gear storage is not described as broadly available for this exact spot.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in the Lorient area provide repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage)?
The best overall months at Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) are January, February, December.
Which wind directions work at Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage)?
Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) works with N, NNE, NE, NW, W winds. Offshore directions are NW, W.
What skill level is Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) suitable for?
Pic Kipu (Larmor-Plage) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.