France
48.05 | -4.71
The Baie des Trépassés — the "Bay of the Dead" — is one of the most spectacular kitesurf and surf spots in Brittany, wedged between the Pointe du Raz and the Pointe du Van at the far western tip of France. This 600–800m beach break offers waves for all levels depending on conditions: technical and hollow at the rocky extremities, more forgiving in the centre. Located within the Grand Site de France (Pointe du Raz), the bay is wild, exposed and very powerful.
Best conditions: offshore E/NE wind with W/WSW swell. Autumn and winter deliver the most powerful waves. Rideable at all tides, with the fastest and most hollow waves at low tide. Strong lateral currents towards the cliffs — serious danger, do not approach the headlands.
The spot works year-round: 27 rideable days a month on average, at 14 °C. It peaks in March, with 331 hours of usable wind.
16-22 knots · 43% 22-30 knots · 42% 30-40 knots · 14% 40+ knots · 2%
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 16 and 22 knots — 43% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 10 °C. The wettest month is March, with 52 mm. Bar height is the month's rideable days; the split shows how its wind hours break down by strength.
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.7 | 214 h | 10 °C | 30 mm |
| February | 23.7 | 233 h | 10 °C | 27 mm |
| March | 30.0 | 331 h | 11 °C | 52 mm |
| April | 27.3 | 327 h | 13 °C | 32 mm |
| May | 29.3 | 374 h | 15 °C | 19 mm |
| June | 26.7 | 355 h | 18 °C | 26 mm |
| July | 29.0 | 375 h | 18 °C | 33 mm |
| August | 27.0 | 294 h | 19 °C | 21 mm |
| September | 24.3 | 256 h | 18 °C | 18 mm |
| October | 27.3 | 271 h | 16 °C | 48 mm |
| November | 27.0 | 228 h | 13 °C | 45 mm |
| December | 24.7 | 212 h | 11 °C | 39 mm |
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
From Audierne (15 min): take the D784 direction Plogoff / Pointe du Raz, then follow signs for "Baie des Trépassés". From Quimper: bus 53B Viaoo (Audierne–Quimper), stop Laoual.
Free car park right next to the beach. Launch and landing on the beach only. No specific kite regulations — swimming is forbidden outside supervised hours (SNSM, 13:30–19:00 in July–August), which leaves the beach clear for kite sessions.
In large swell: stay in the centre of the beach, away from both cliff faces.
Open all year round
Advanced
Beach break exposed to full Atlantic swell. 600–800m of beach between two rocky headlands. Wave character varies: hollow and fast at low tide, softer and more forgiving at high tide. Waves reach 3m+ in significant autumn swells.
At low tide: fastest, most hollow waves — best conditions for experts. At mid-tide: more accessible, varied peaks. At high tide: smaller, mushier waves, easier to ride. Strong lateral currents at all times — inspect the beach from shore before entering and identify the safest launch zone in the centre of the bay.
Free car park directly behind the beach, well signed from the D784. No height barrier. Toilets in season. Hotel/restaurant "De la Baie" at the beach.
The Baie des Trépassés faces due west and is exposed to full W/WSW Atlantic swell. Best wind directions:
The bay is one of the coldest spots in Finistère due to its extreme western exposure and proximity to the Raz de Sein. Station météo Pointe du Raz (2km) provides reliable real-time wind data.
Strong lateral currents dragging towards the rocky cliffs on both sides (Pointe du Raz and Pointe du Van) — the main danger of this spot. Never approach the cliff faces. In large swell the spot saturates quickly.
Swimming is forbidden outside of supervised hours — the currents are extremely powerful offshore (Raz de Sein is one of the most dangerous straits in Europe). Never ride alone.
Grand Site de France / Natura 2000 — do not cross any protected dune or natural area barriers. Wetsuit required year-round: 5/4mm minimum in autumn/winter.
If you notice any outdated information:
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