Cagnes-sur-Mer
Pebble beaches between Nice and Antibes, the most reliable spot on the Côte d'Azur.
At Cagnes-sur-Mer, in front of the racecourse and near the mouth of the Loup, the pebble beaches catch south-east and south swell. It's the go-to spot for Nice's surfers.
Waves break close to shore, with little distance between the peak and the pebbles.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | SE, S, E |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NW, NE |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | October to April |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
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 fish; a funboard on small days. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Cagnes-sur-Mer
The water is around 13 °C in winter and 23 °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 AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
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
A tight-knit local community. Watch, wait your turn and say hello.
Surfing style
Short, fast waves over a cobblestone bottom.
Hazards
A steep pebble shore and shore break.
Map
Other spots nearby
Hyères (Var)
The beach on the Giens isthmus, a windsurfing mecca that picks up the mistral swell.
La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var)
Toulon's surf beach, on the Saint-Mandrier isthmus, with an easterly swell.
Marseille
Marseille's city beaches, which wake up with the mistral's westerly swell.
Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Reefs on the Côte Bleue west of Marseille, among the best waves in Provence.
All spots in the French Mediterranean →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.