Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret)

Advanced riders
Best for
Advanced
Skill Level
Ocean, Swell
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

About

Pointe du Toulinguet is a dramatic, rocky headland on the Camaret Coast where surfing is highly technical and depends on the swell wrapping around the point. It’s described as primarily a right-hand point break that requires a significant west-leaning swell to connect, otherwise it can feel inconsistent. Conditions are best when the tide and swell align—reported as especially good on an incoming low tide when the swell is large enough to wrap around the headland. Wave quality is generally rated as average, with peeling wave behavior and medium ride lengths when it works. The biggest concern is safety: strong currents are reported around the headland, and the nearby Pen Hat beach is specifically described as having dangerous currents with powerful undertow/“ascensors.” Swimming is prohibited at Pen Hat beach. Access also involves respecting military/semaphore restrictions and posted “no entry” signs. Overall, this is a low-profile spot suited for advanced surfers who can manage rocky, current-driven conditions and who plan their session around swell size, tide, and safe access routes. For the wider Camaret Coast, the region’s rescue coverage exists via sea rescue services, but there are no lifeguards on-site for this particular spot.

  • Right-hand rocky point that requires swell to wrap
  • Best at low tide when swell is large enough to connect
  • Very safety-focused access and current warnings
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • Can offer longer right-hand sections when conditions line up
  • Generally quiet due to technical requirements
  • Dramatic location near a military semaphore with panoramic Atlantic scenery
Heads up
  • Technical rocky point with strong currents around the headland
  • Difficult access and remote coastline feel
  • Inconsistent without sufficient swell to wrap the point
  • No rescue/lifeguards on-site
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
E, NE, SSE
Offshore directions
E
Wind Type
Frontal — Atlantic-dominated winds driven by frontal systems in the Camaret Coast area.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported for this spot.
Best Months
September, October, November, April
Shadow Zones
Sheltered from Northwest winds by the cliffs
Thermal Window
Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: Jul, Aug · Dir: W, NW, SW · Regional thermal/sea-breeze window reported for summer afternoons (13:00–18:00).

Water & beach

Water Type
Ocean, Swell
Beach
Rocks — Rocky coastal point and reefed shoreline.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium — Medium surf described overall; working conditions typically require sufficient swell.
Launch
Small — Rocky entry and/or paddle out from adjacent Pen Hat beach; near-cliff access is difficult and not a dedicated launch.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Wild cliffs and rocky access make entry/paddle-out technical.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
9–19 °C
Water Temperature
6–22 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Jan–Dec: 5/4mm or 4/3mm (hooded) + HoodApr–Sep: 3/2mm or 4/3mm
Storm/Rain Season

Late October through March (peak Atlantic storms and higher rainfall).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Technical, rocky right-hand point break near the semaphore; requires a substantial swell to wrap around the headland and is less consistent than nearby beach options. Often best when conditions line up for a low-tide incoming set.

Point break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
W, WSW
Swell Height
1.5–3 m
Optimal Tide
Low — Best at low tide (especially when swell is large enough to wrap).
Shelter
Semi-sheltered — Headland/coastal cliffs provide partial shelter compared with fully exposed beach sections; still an exposed Atlantic environment overall.
Wind Effect
Cleanest on east winds; north winds are cross-shore.
Bigger Swell
Handles larger swells better than the beach breaks but can become dangerous with heavy currents.
Wave Quality
Average
Wave Power
Moderate
Wave Shape
Peeling
Peel Speed
Medium — Peeling wave.
Ride Length
Medium — Can be sectiony along rocks when it connects.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Reported typical rides can be sectiony right-handers along rocks; when it lines up, can offer longer sections than the adjacent beach break.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) in the full forecast view.

Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
3–30 ktsGusts 43 kts
Direction
SW231°
Strongest day
Sat, Oct 2430 kts
Windy days
4/712 kts or more
Waves
0.8–4.3 m10s period
Temperature
9–16 °C

Over the next 7 days, Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 43 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–4.3 m with a period of about 10s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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

  • Sharp rocks and jagged underwater reef structures
  • Strong currents around the headland
  • Powerful undertow/“ascensors” and currents pulling toward offshore cliffs on the adjacent Pen Hat beach
  • Remote and technical access; military/semaphore area restrictions
Ability Level: Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
LeashBootsWetsuitHood

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Yes — Sea rescue coverage by the SNSM station in Camaret-sur-Mer (year-round for the region).
Emergency Info
112 for emergencies; for sea rescue dial 196.

Rules of the spot

Respect posted access/no-entry signage on the headland near the military semaphore; swimming is prohibited at Pen Hat beach due to dangerous currents.

Restrictions
  • Swimming prohibited at Pen Hat beach due to dangerous currents
  • Military zone / semaphore access limitations; follow all posted signs
Local Tips
  • Best conditions are when the swell wraps around the cliff and an incoming low tide lines up with sufficient swell.
  • Access is typically via a long walk from the Pen Hat parking area or by entering from the adjacent beach.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Brest
Nearest Town
Camaret-sur-Mer
Nearest Airport
Brest Bretagne Airport (BES) (~65 km)
Parking
Public parking at Plage de Pen Hat; then a walk toward the semaphore. Also described as parking near the entrance of the French Marine Semaphore a few meters from the cliff.
Public Transport
BreizhGo bus network connecting Camaret-sur-Mer with Brest and Quimper
Access
Pedestrian access via coastal paths from the nearby parking area at Pen Hat.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
French
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Near — Various hotels and guesthouses in Camaret-sur-Mer; wider regional accommodation options are also available.
Food & Drink
Restaurants and cafes available in Camaret-sur-Mer.
Equipment Rental:
Surf and SUP rentals are widely available via local schools; specialized windsurf/kitesurf rental is more limited within the immediate town.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

The Camaret Coast and Crozon Peninsula are defined by dramatic Atlantic cliffs and outdoor access, with strong links between coastal hiking and the local surf/sailing culture.

Best time to visit: May to September for general tourism and milder weather; autumn for serious water sports enthusiasts.
GR34 Coastal Path0 km

France’s famous coastal hiking trail with cliff-top views around the peninsula.

Alignements de Lagatjar~1 km

Prehistoric field of standing stones (menhirs) overlooking the coastline.

Tour Vauban~2 km

UNESCO World Heritage site; a 17th-century defensive tower guarding the entrance to the harbor.

Quai Gustave Toudouze~2 km

Harbor front lined with creperies and seafood restaurants.

Pointe de Pen-Hir~3 km

Dramatic cliffs and the ‘Tas de Pois’ rock formations for scenic walks and photography.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret)?

The best overall months at Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) are April, September, October, November. The best wind months are September, October, November, April.

Which wind directions work at Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret)?

Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) works with E, NE, SSE winds. Offshore directions are E.

What skill level is Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) suitable for?

Pointe du Toulinguet (Camaret) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.