Technical details of Île aux Vaches - Big Wave Reef, Esquibien spot

Spot functioning

Access from Audierne direction Sainte-Evette. Rigging possible near the car park (left of the jetty). Water entry from just south of the jetty or via the coastal footpath. Île aux Vaches is the first headland visible offshore — it becomes a true island at high tide.

If swell is too large: retreat to the Baie d'Audierne (flat water, downwind of Sainte-Evette beach). Have land or water-based assistance in place.

On the water

Reef break on entirely rocky bottom. Long tubular right-hander, waves from 1m to 7m. Best waves form at mid-tide. In NE (offshore) wind, waves are often glassy and very clean.

Water entry is the critical point: residual shorebreak, slippery rocks, some boulders rolling during large swells. A wipeout pushes you back into the Baie d'Audierne — flat water recovery zone. Works with WSW to W/NW swell (ideal angle WSW).

Required level

Expert

Spot opening date

Open all year round

Hazards

Extremely dangerous spot. Proven big-wave experience is mandatory — standard advanced level is not enough.

Entirely rocky bottom. Entry and exit are very difficult, through rocks, in residual shorebreak. In large swell, rocks roll against each other — serious injury risk.

Never ride alone. If the swell is too big, retreat to the Baie d'Audierne (flat water downwind of the beach). Do not get caught inside at the start of a wave — the rip pushes back into the bay, but the situation can become critical in sets.

Only rideable a handful of times per year — rare conditions, do not attempt in marginal swell.

Wind specificities

The spot works in W to NW wind, when a large WSW/W swell wraps around the headland. Best wind is NE (offshore) — conditions often glassy and very clean. NW wind: side-offshore, still acceptable. W wind: onshore, messier but rideable for experts.

The spot only works in significant swell (minimum 2m significant height) with a long period (12s+). Optimal conditions are rare — autumn and early winter during Atlantic depressions. Summer: typically flat.

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