Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Expert
- Skill Level
- Swell, Swell
- Spot Type
- Empty
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) is a very sheltered reef break that only comes together once in a while. When active, it produces a short, fast and powerful right-hand wave over a rocky/boulder bottom, typically with hollow character and good wave quality. It’s described as a “retreat”-type spot—conditions have to be right, and the wave tends to work best after swell pushes into the bay. Access is from the nearby Les Roches Blanches in Tréboul, where you paddle across a channel toward the main rock (about a 200-meter paddle). The takeoff zone is tight, and sources emphasize caution due to the combination of reef terrain, shallow boulders, and water motion around the channel. When the spot does work, it’s generally tied to west to northwesterly swells, with the wave often performing in the 2.0–3.5 meter range (and described as holding up to around 3 meters and beyond when larger swells arrive). Tide guidance points to mid-to-high tide as the most favorable window, while low tide is specifically cautioned against. Safety is a major focus here: the reef and boulders create serious impact risk, and rip currents/strong currents can occur in the channel area. Sources also recommend being mindful of the small local crew and the etiquette around a less accessible, infrequent wave.
- Sheltered reef retreat that only works occasionally
- Fast, hollow right-hand wave
- Best with mid-to-high tide and west/NW swell
- Short rides, generally under 50 meters
- Very sheltered reef break when it works.
- Fast, powerful hollow right-hand wave with good quality.
- Rarely crowded—often empty when active.
- Works on a west/northwest swell and can hold size on larger days.
- Very inconsistent/infrequent breaking.
- Reef/rock hazards and shallow boulders.
- Rip currents and strong currents can be present in the channel.
- Difficult access involving a ~200-meter paddle.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, SSW, E
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE, SSW
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider data indicates frontal wind influence; also noted seasonal/patchy activity with low overall reliability.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Well sheltered from North and North-West winds by surrounding bay topography.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Launch area described near sand beach (Les Roches Blanches), while the surf bottom is reef/rocks.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Several sources emphasize it starts working around 2.0–2.5 m swell and can hold up to ~3 m+; the wave itself is still described as short.
- Launch
- Small — Launch involves paddling ~200m across a channel toward the rock near Les Roches Blanches.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Provider data describes paddle access as requiring ~200m across a channel; one provider labels launch difficulty as difficult.
Through the year
Rarely crowded due to infrequent breaking and difficult access.
Winter months see frequent storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Short, powerful right-hand reef break over shallow boulders/rocky bottom. The wave is hollow and fast when it comes together.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 2–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best at mid-to-high tide; some sources indicate it can be best at high and also mid-tide positions.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Described as very sheltered; it functions as a retreat spot that only really comes into play when swell pushes into the bay.
- Wind Effect
- Works best with offshore winds from the south (provider notes offshore conditions with winds from the South or South-East).
- Bigger Swell
- Only starts to work when swell is large enough; holds size well up to around 3 meters and beyond when conditions are right.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Typically short rides, generally under 50 meters, often described as one section only.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50 m), fast and powerful; commonly described as one section only.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) in the full forecast view.
Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–23 ktsGusts 40 kts
- Direction
- SW232°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2423 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.4–1.9 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–23 kts, peaking around 23 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 40 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.4–1.9 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
- Rocks
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Submerged reef
- Large boulders
- Shallow boulders
- Strong currents
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Maritime rescue services are provided by the SNSM based in Douarnenez across the bay.
- Emergency Info
- For emergencies, use 112 (or 196 for maritime emergencies).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Sources warn to be respectful of a small local crew and a tight takeoff zone.
Rules of the spot
- Avoid low tide.
- Be careful of rip currents and the strong currents that can develop in the channel.
- The takeoff zone is tight—access involves a ~200-meter paddle across the channel.
- Wait for the right swell conditions; the spot is inconsistent and only works once in a while.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Douarnenez
- Nearest Town
- Tréboul
- Parking
- Parking available near the Plage des Roches Blanches.
- Access
- Instant access (<5 min) from Les Roches Blanches beach in Tréboul, Douarnenez; paddle ~200m across the channel toward the rock.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various hotels and guesthouses are available in the Tréboul district of Douarnenez.
- Food & Drink
- Restaurants and bars are located along the Tréboul waterfront near the launch beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Douarnenez is a historic sardine-fishing town known for its maritime heritage and distinct ports, with dramatic coastal scenery.
The famous customs officers' path offering cliffside hiking views along the bay.
An archaeological site featuring Roman-era fish salting tanks and traditional Breton architecture.
A lively marina area with many creperies and seafood restaurants.
A small island accessible by foot during low tide with guided nature and history tours.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez)?
The best overall months at Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) are October. The best wind months are October, November, December, January, February.
Which wind directions work at Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez)?
Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) works with S, SSE, SSW, E winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE, SSW.
What skill level is Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) suitable for?
Rocher de Coulinec (Douarnenez) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.