Pléhérel-Plage
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Pléhérel-Plage is an exposed sandy beach break in Brittany that typically delivers consistent surf, with both left and right waves over a sandy bottom. It’s described as good for multi-day water-sport trips because the beach is wide and launch/setup space is ample. For surfing, conditions are often best around high tide, though mid-tide is also recommended to avoid backwash that can occur at very high water. The most workable swell direction is west to northwest, and the spot can close out when the swell gets too large (reported threshold exceeding 2.5 meters). Wave quality is described as good and the overall power as moderate, with peeling waves. Wind for the spot is strongly influenced by Atlantic weather systems and frontal patterns, and the southeast wind is commonly highlighted as offshore—helping groom the surface. February is singled out as the best month for reliable clean conditions, with reported monthly percentages for blown vs. clean conditions. Overall wind reliability is better in autumn and winter, while summer tends to be lighter and less frequent. Safety-wise, the beach has reported rip currents and rocks/submerged rocks at the ends of the beach. Large tidal range can significantly change water access and conditions through the day. Lifeguards are reported as seasonal, and rescue availability is described as limited, so swimmers and riders should follow local swimming-zone rules in summer and consider thicker protection given the cool water temperatures year-round.
- Exposed sandy beach break with both left and right waves
- Offshore SE wind can groom surf
- Wide beach and easy launch access
- Consistent sandy beach break with both left and right waves
- Southeast winds can be offshore and groom the waves
- Large sandy launch area with easy access and nearby facilities
- Exposed conditions can lead to more challenging surf when swell is larger
- Rip currents and submerged rocks are reported hazards
- Seasonal rules/restrictions may apply in July and August
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal influence mentioned for the spot; described as offshore-grooming when SE winds blow.
- Reliability
- 59% blown, 21% clean in February; generally more reliable in autumn and winter with lighter summer winds.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- February
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size described as medium.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type described as chop; more chop expected at high tide for some sports.
- Launch
- Big — Very wide sandy beach offering ample space for setup and launching.
Through the year
Busy in July and August; quiet and peaceful during the off-season.
Rain is most frequent from November through January.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach that works for kitesurfing with westerly winds; large tides change conditions from flatter water at low tide to more chop and waves at high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Popular for wave riding and freeriding; described as handling swell well with a large area for riding.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6.5 m²
Sandy bottom and generally clean water make it suitable for foiling; waves can be challenging for beginners at high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beach break offering consistent left and right waves, with conditions varying across the tide.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, Mid — High tide is cited as best; another source suggests best around mid-tide because very high tide can sometimes cause backwash.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break; shelter level reported as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Southeast winds are offshore and groom waves; best with offshore SE wind.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power described as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peeling with medium peel speed reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; reported rides of 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbank quality.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves can offer rides of 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbank quality.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pléhérel-Plage in the full forecast view.
Pléhérel-Plage wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–23 ktsGusts 38 kts
- Direction
- SW229°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2423 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–2.7 m7s period
- Temperature
- 7–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Pléhérel-Plage is forecast for daytime winds of 3–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 38 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–2.7 m with a period of about 7s. 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
- Rocks
- Submerged rocks at the ends of the beach
- Large tidal range
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards; patrol mainly during July and August.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services available in Fréhel or Saint-Brieuc; call 112 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Localism reported as mild.
Rules of the spot
Respect designated swimming zones during the summer months.
- Water sports may be restricted to certain zones in July and August.
- Spot is often less crowded than beaches closer to Saint-Malo.
- Best surfed around mid-tide; high tide can sometimes cause backwash.
- In general, the spot is best with offshore southeast wind.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Brieuc
- Nearest Town
- Fréhel
- Parking
- Large public parking lot available directly adjacent to the beach
- Access
- Accessible via the D786 road followed by local roads leading to Pléhérel-Plage
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Camping Municipal de l'Anse du Croc is located right by the beach; various gîtes and hotels in Fréhel.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars and restaurants near the beach entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through local surf schools.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Impressive historic lighthouse on high cliffs (about 70 m).
Grand Site combining two prominent caps.
Historic fort/castle on limestone cliffs and a rocky headland; often used as a filming location.
Designated bird reserve with heather countryside.
Coastal customs officers’ path with panoramic sea views.
Seafood restaurants and creperies behind the main beach.
About 3 km of fine-sand beach with dunes.
Gaming and entertainment in the nearby seaside town.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Pléhérel-Plage?
The best overall months at Pléhérel-Plage are February.
Which wind directions work at Pléhérel-Plage?
Pléhérel-Plage works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Pléhérel-Plage?
Recommended equipment sizes at Pléhérel-Plage: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Pléhérel-Plage suitable for?
Pléhérel-Plage suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.