Douarnenez – Le Ris

Douarnenez · Finistère Sud · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Douarnenez – Le Ris (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/douarnenez-le-ris.

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Le Ris is a long sandy beach on the east side of Douarnenez, at the back of the bay where the little Névet river reaches the sea. Only big swell reaches it, so it is the fun fallback when the exposed coast is closed out or blown out, with gentle, short waves both ways at all tides, rarely longer than 50 m. Don't expect quality, but it is a soft place for beginners on those days.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A longboard, mid-length or foam board to make the most of the soft waves.

When it works

✓ A big W swell (WSW to NW) of 2.5 m or more with an ESE wind, at any tide; it is sheltered from south-westerlies.

When it doesn't

✕ Normal swell, which leaves it flat, or a north-westerly wind blowing into the bay.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks
  • pollution

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Save it for stormy days when the outer coast is unrideable; an offshore east-south-easterly gives the best shape and makes the waves a little hollower. It is partly sheltered from south-westerly winds. The beach widens a lot at low tide, and a few rocks sit in the line-up. Check water quality first: the river brings nitrates, and green algae have often washed up here.

Getting there

On the Route du Ris on the east side of Douarnenez, towards Kerlaz; the sand is a short walk from the road. It is a lifeguarded swimming beach in summer.

Travel notes

How often it works
Only works now and then. It sits at the far end of Douarnenez Bay and needs a big west to north-west swell. It is a back-up for stormy days, not a regular spot.
Crowd and vibe
Few surfers even on good days, because it only works when the open coast is too big. In summer it is a busy family swimming beach rather than a surf spot.
Camping and vans
Camping Trezmalaouen, about 2 km north-east along the bay, has 140 pitches. In Douarnenez, vans are sent to a small free car park on Impasse Jean Barre, with a reported 24-hour limit. Users say other town-centre car parks ban campervans, and the paid camper area on the route de Trézulien is listed as closed. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
Toilets, drinking water, parking and a first-aid post. Lifeguards work 1 pm to 7 pm in July and August, and shops and cafés are nearby in Douarnenez.
Water quality
Officially rated good for 2025, after excellent in 2022–2024. The Névet river brings farm nitrates: swimming was banned in 2019, and thick green algae covered the beach in summer 2025, so avoid it after heavy rain or when algae pile up.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–WNW best, SW–NW works
Size
2.5–4 m offshore swell; starts at 2 m, holds to 6 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore E–SSE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid, high best
Faces
WNW (293°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Finistère Sud · All spots

Sources