La Palue Reviews and Ratings
(Finistere – Brittany, France)
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Visitor reviews of La Palue surf break
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“As a relative beginner (but surfing regularly in this area for a little under a year now), I find La Palue a difficult break more often than not. The beach is very popular with experienced surfers though and by all accounts offers the most exciting surfing in the area, when the conditions are right.
The west-facing beach picks up any and every Atlantic swell, and so there's usually something to surf unless conditions are totally flat or blown out. The waves vary markedly dependent on the state of tide: in my (beginner's) opinion they're best not long after low tide as it starts to push in again. At this point, if there's a decent swell hitting the outer edge of the sandbar, there are consistent waves that break left and right, depending on conditions.
Towards high tide the waves are breaking over sands that(as one local described it to me) are a bit of a "minefield", throwing up inconsistent waves that close out quickly and steeply. Particularly when the coefficient is high (Spring tides), there is a nasty undertow, hence the beach being closed to swimmers.
There is a car park at the top of the cliff where you'll find a lot of camper-vans in the high season, and for smaller vehicles there are more small car parking areas further down a rough track towards the beach. There are no cafes or bars near the beach, but Morgat is not far away which has the usual amenities.”
Mike C from FRANCE - 10 Jun 2015
La Palue Ratings
Overall: 3.2. Based on 8 votes and 2 reviews. Vote
Quality on a good day: 4.2(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 4.1(1: La Palue is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.5(1: La Palue is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Finistere - Brittany. 5: the best break in Finistere - Brittany). |
Difficulty Level: 3.8(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 2.1(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: La Palue can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 2.9(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at La Palue, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.3(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at La Palue are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 4.1(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 2.6(1: Often too crowded. 5: La Palue is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 4.1(1: Getting to La Palue requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 5.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 3.7(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 2.7(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near La Palue for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 2.0(1: Camping at La Palue is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.7(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: La Palue is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.7(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.6(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at La Palue, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near La Palue where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
“La Palue offers quite powerful beach break waves peeling left and right over banks sculpted by strong rips. The odd A-frame can be bagged here but I've yet to see any barrels. There are signs notifying visitors of a ban on swimming at the beach due to a significant risk of drowning, but it is a popular spot for surfing. There are no cafes or indeed anything at all next to the beach apart from a rough car park with a few campers parked in amongst the scrub. Ignore the usual 'locals only' graffiti as this huge beach has space for everyone and is not that busy outside the August peak. To the right of the car park is a nudist section of the beach that offers some protection from southerly winds around high tide.”
Q, VoG from UNITED KINGDOM - 15 Mar 2010
