Hossegor
Beach breakExpert
For many, the best beach break in Europe: fast, heavy barrels in very shallow water.
The whole coast faces west, so it works with a west or north-west swell and an easterly wind. Off Hossegor and Capbreton, the Gouf submarine canyon focuses the swell's energy, which is why the waves here are bigger and more powerful than at neighbouring beaches. The best season is autumn, from September to November: the first swells arrive, there's an offshore breeze in the morning and the water is still mild. In summer, lifeguarded swimming zones take priority and surfing is limited to signposted areas.
Map
Hossegor
Beach breakExpert
Hossegor's big wave: it only switches on with lots of swell and holds over 5 m.
Hossegor
Beach breakAll levels
Hossegor's friendliest beach, next to the Capbreton channel, with smaller, cleaner waves.
Hossegor / Seignosse
Beach breakIntermediate
Between Hossegor and Seignosse: powerful, hollow banks that often host contests.
Seignosse
Beach breakIntermediate
One of Seignosse's most reliable spots, with lots of peaks and lots of people.
Seignosse
Beach breakAll levels
A slightly less crowded stretch of Seignosse, with good sandbanks.
Seignosse
Beach breakAll levels
Seignosse's main beach, with lefts next to an old collapsed jetty.
Capbreton
Beach breakIntermediate
Capbreton's beach in front of the groynes, with quality peaks at high tide.
Capbreton
Beach breakIntermediate
Capbreton's bunker beach: some of the best barrels in France when the banks are right.
Labenne
Beach breakIntermediate
A quieter beach south of Capbreton, with a powerful shore break.
Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains
Beach breakAll levels
The beach of a family resort north of Seignosse, with groynes and strong currents.
Moliets-et-Maâ
RivermouthAll levels
A beach break among pine forests, with long rights at the mouth of the Courant d'Huchet.
Mimizan
Beach breakAll levels
A typical northern Landes spot: good banks and few people.
Biscarrosse-Plage
Beach breakAll levels
The beach at the northern end of Landes, with good banks and lots of bodyboarding.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Gravière | Beach break | Expert | W, NW | E, SE | Low to mid |
| La Nord | Beach break | Expert | W, NW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| La Sud | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | Mid |
| Les Culs Nuls | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Les Estagnots | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Les Bourdaines | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid |
| Le Penon | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | Low to mid |
| Le Santocha | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid to high |
| La Piste | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Labenne Océan | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE | Low to mid |
| Vieux-Boucau | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE | Mid to high |
| Moliets | Rivermouth | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Mimizan | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Mid to high |
| Biscarrosse | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, SE | All tides |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 21 °C in late summer.
4/3 wetsuit
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
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5 mm booties
Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
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Shapers in Landes
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.