Soulac-sur-Mer
At the mouth of the Gironde: very hollow barrels only when everything else is closing out.
Soulac is at the northern tip of the Médoc, next to the Gironde estuary. It's an unusual wave that only works with very big swells, over 2.5 m, when the rest of the coast closes out; then it produces some of the hollowest barrels in the area.
It handles south and south-south-west winds. The estuary currents are very strong and the water can be polluted.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | W, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, E |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 2.5 m+ outside |
| Best season | Winter, in very big swell |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or a step-up. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Soulac-sur-Mer
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 20 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonA shortboard leash won't hold in waves of several metres.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
Few people: only experienced surfers on the days it works.
Surfing style
Barrels in big swell.
Hazards
Very strong estuary currents and water quality.
Map
Shapers near Soulac-sur-Mer
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Grayan-et-l'Hôpital
The best option in the northern Médoc in big swell: long, powerful waves by the bunkers.
Vendays-Montalivet
A quiet Médoc beach that works well when Lacanau closes out.
Hourtin
Low-tide barrels on one of the quietest beaches in the Médoc.
Carcans
A small beach village north of Lacanau, with quality banks.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.