What size does Pors ar Vag work best at?

2–6 ft is the working range. Below that it goes flat; above, it stops being fun and the lineup thins out.

When is the best season to surf Pors ar Vag?

Peak season runs through the months when the swell window aligns and trade winds blow offshore. See the month strip in Wave fit for the working window.

What swell direction does Pors ar Vag need?

Pors ar Vag works on a sw - nw groundswell with easterly winds.

What are the main hazards?

no concerns. Reef booties are common at reef breaks; check tide and crowd conditions before paddling out.

What type of wave is Pors ar Vag?

Pors ar Vag is a a-frame breaking wave over beach. Soft sheltered beach peaks, short rides.

Finist√®re, Northwest France, France

Pors ar Vag

48.173, -4.306

Edited by Thomas Jackson

Verified May 2026

Multi-checkedCross-checked against 2 references

A-frame · BeachBeginner → Intermediate2–6 ftJan – Dec

Pors ar Vag catches swell tucked inside the Baie de Douarnenez, sheltered by Pointe de la Chèvre on the Crozon Peninsula in northwest France. It needs a solid SW to NW swell to push past the headland, typically working from 2ft+ with its sweetest window between 3-6ft at mid to high tide. Easterly winds keep it clean. The wave is soft, short-rided beach peaks on a sandy bottom, accessible to beginners and relaxed intermediates who want uncrowded water when nearby breaks are swamped or closed out. Bottom: sand. Season: Sep-Mar. Consistency: medium. Getting here requires navigating a network of small Breton roads that filter out the casual crowd, but a local surf club operates here, so it is not unknown. Bring a road atlas or download offline maps because mobile signal can be patchy in this part of Finistère. No facilities on site, so carry water and fuel up beforehand.

Wave fit

Skill suited

Beginner → Intermediate

BegIntAdv

Best months

Jan – Dec

Character

Soft sheltered beach peaks, short rides.

Conditions

When it works

Swell window

SW - NW

Offshore wind

Easterly

Optimum tide

Mid to high tide

Size range

1-6ft

Medium

Hazards

No concerns

Trip planning

Quick facts

Water temp

10° to 17°C

Wetsuit

4/3 to 5/4 + booties (winter)

What to bring

Longboard or funboard for small days 2-4ft
Mid-length or fish 6ft to 7ft for bigger swells

Lineup

Mellow lineup

Where it sits

Location

Loading map...

About this break

What it's actually like

Crowd Access Nearby Alternatives

Crowd & Localism

Weekend crowds are light, rarely more than a handful of surfers. A local surf club uses the spot, so show the usual respect: give right of way, don't snake, and keep a low profile. The difficult road access naturally limits numbers.

Access & Facilities

Car park at the beach, but no facilities. The access involves multiple small rural roads that are genuinely confusing on a first visit. Plan the route before you leave, not in the field. Closest supplies and food are in nearby villages. No surf hire or lessons visible at the beach itself.

Nearby Alternatives

When Pors ar Vag is too small or the swell direction doesn't cooperate, the rest of Baie de Douarnenez has several options depending on wind and size. La Palue and Lostmarc'h to the west handle bigger, rawer swells. La Torche further south is more consistent and picks up swell more directly.

10-day swell, wind and tide