Morgat Sea Caves by Boat

What it is

The sandstone cliffs between Morgat and the Cap de la Chèvre are full of sea caves that the sea has hollowed out by enlarging cracks in the rock. Inside the walls have reddish, pink and violet tones, from the encrusting algae and the iron oxides in the sandstone. Flaubert passed by in a rowing boat in 1847 and wrote that it was like gliding through a pearly kingdom. Apart from one, they can only be seen from the water: by boat, kayak or board.

The best known:

• The Grotte de l'Autel, on the Pointe des Grottes, with a central rock called the altar; tradition says it served as a place of worship in times of persecution.
• The "Beelzebub's apartments", three caves under the lighthouse at the Pointe du Kador: the Devil's Chimney, a funnel of about 50 m opened in the top of the cliff by the collapse of the roof, the Devil's Chamber and the Devil's Antechamber, joined by a gallery.
• The Grotte Sainte-Marine, under the Pointe de Rulianec, the only one reached on foot, and only at spring tides.

The boat trip

Vedettes Sirènes has its ticket office on the quai Kador in the port of Morgat. From Morgat depart:

• Circuit 01, Visite des Grottes Marines: about 50 minutes. Adult €19, ages 13 to 17 €16, ages 4 to 12 €11, ages 1 to 3 €4; babies free.
• Mix 01 and 02, Grotte de l'Autel and Anse de l'Île Vierge: 1 hour, €21 per adult.
• Circuit 02, Anse de l'Île Vierge, coves and cliffs: 1 h 15, €23.
• Circuit 03, Cap de la Chèvre and Anse de Saint-Nicolas: 1 h 15, €29 per adult and €19 for ages 4 to 12.

From Camaret, the same company goes to the Pointe de Pen-Hir and the Tas de Pois, to the Pointe des Espagnols and to the Rade de Brest.

The season begins on 1 April and lasts until the end of September. Departures depend on the state of the sea and may change or be cancelled in a heavy swell. Book online (by card or ANCV Connect vouchers from €20) or at the ticket office, which also accepts cash. In July and August departures fill up: book days ahead.

When to go

From May to September, with calm seas. In July and August there are more people and it is wise to book.

What to bring

A windcheater even if it is sunny, sunglasses and something warm for the children: at sea it blows. With babies, the short 50-minute trip is the most manageable.

Getting to Morgat and parking

Morgat is Crozon's coastal district, a few minutes from the centre. The port is next to Morgat beach, and the ticket office on the quai Kador. Park in the village and reach the ticket office with time to spare, especially in summer.

Independently by kayak

If you prefer to paddle, you can also reach the caves by kayak or board from Morgat beach. Do it only in calm seas and, if you do not know the area, with a guide: the currents and swell at the cave entrances are dangerous.

Afterwards, continue on foot along the GR 34 to the Cap de la Chèvre, or cross the peninsula to Camaret for lunch at Le Quai des Saveurs.