Saint-Jean-Trolimon – Tronoën

Saint-Jean-Trolimon · Finistère Sud · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Saint-Jean-Trolimon – Tronoën (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/tronoen.

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Tronoën is an open, dune-backed beach just north of La Torche, a ten-minute walk up the beach from the point, with the same west-facing exposure. It is one of the most consistent beaches in the area, with powerful lefts and rights over sandbanks that change from tide to tide, and on its day it can beat La Torche. It is a much quieter alternative, good for intermediates who can read the banks, though it closes out sooner than La Torche when the swell rises.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
Shortboard or fish; it is a punchy beach break rather than a longboard wave.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m WSW to NW swell with an E to NE wind, from mid to high tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Onshore westerlies, or a swell over about 2.5–3 m, when it closes out and La Torche or Pors Carn are the better bet.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • shorebreak
  • rocks

Best months

January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December

Local tips

The banks move all the time, so spend a few minutes watching from the dune before paddling out. Local advice is to check Tronoën first and go to La Torche if it is closing out, or the other way round when La Torche is too small. Near high tide the shorebreak gets heavy, and after big winters a sandbank at the southern end can give a strong shorebreak with rights.

Getting there

Just before La Torche turn left towards the Chapelle de Tronoën, then left again past the chapel. Park at the far end of the car park and climb over the dune to the beach. The old chapel is worth a visit.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very reliable. It faces west into the open ocean, so it works on about 150 days a year, like La Torche, from about 1–1.5 m of swell. It closes out above about 3 m, and in summer it is often flat.
Crowd and vibe
Usually empty on weekdays and quiet at weekends, so it is the calm choice next to La Torche. When it is really good, word gets out and it can fill up. The mood is easy-going; local surfers come here when La Torche is busy.
Camping and vans
The nearest campsite is Camping de la Torche in Plomeur, about 3 km south. Camping Kerlaz in Tréguennec is around 5 km north. For vans, there is free parking near the Pointe de la Torche: about 20 places, no services, and a 24-hour limit according to users. Nearest campsite about 3 km away.
Facilities
There is a sandy car park and a summer lifeguard post, but no toilets or showers. The nearest restaurant is about 1.6 km away, and surf schools and cafés are a short drive away at La Torche.
Water quality
The ARS rated the water excellent every year from 2022 to 2025.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–WNW best, SSW–NW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore NE–ESE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid, high best
Faces
WSW (258°)

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