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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
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
- 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
- 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
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
Late October through March (peak Atlantic storms and higher rainfall).
By sport
What to expect for each.
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.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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
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.
- Swimming prohibited at Pen Hat beach due to dangerous currents
- Military zone / semaphore access limitations; follow all posted signs
- 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
What's on the beach
- 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.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
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.
France’s famous coastal hiking trail with cliff-top views around the peninsula.
Prehistoric field of standing stones (menhirs) overlooking the coastline.
UNESCO World Heritage site; a 17th-century defensive tower guarding the entrance to the harbor.
Harbor front lined with creperies and seafood restaurants.
Dramatic cliffs and the ‘Tas de Pois’ rock formations for scenic walks and photography.
From riders who've been here
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.