Surfing in Capbreton: spots, season and tips
Capbreton is the southernmost town of the Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton trio, on the Landes coast. Its spots follow one another from north to south: L’Estacade, at the foot of the jetty, Le Prévent, sheltered, Le Santocha, next to the groyne, La Piste, in front of the bunkers, then Les Océanides and La Pointe.
Here too, the level of a spot changes with the swell, so with the season: Le Santocha hosts surf lessons in summer and becomes a demanding spot in winter. This guide gives you the spots by level and by period, the season, how to get there and our tips for surfing in Capbreton.
At a glance: surfing in Capbreton
| Spots | L'Estacade, Le Prévent, Le Santocha, La Piste, Les Océanides, La Pointe |
| Level | Beginners at L’Estacade, Le Prévent (except when the swell picks up) and Le Santocha in summer with a school; La Piste for experienced surfers |
| Wave type | Beach breaks on a sandy bottom, between the groynes and the bunkers |
| Best period | September to November to improve; summer to start |
| Water | About 12 to 14 °C in winter, 18 to 20 °C in September and October, 21 to 23 °C in summer |
| Getting there | Regional train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, then the free Yégo 1B bus to Capbreton harbour |
Why surf in Capbreton?
Capbreton has one special feature: offshore, the Gouf de Capbreton, an underwater canyon, changes the swell. It weakens it in front of Le Prévent, which makes it a sheltered spot, with smaller waves than the rest of the coast most days.
The result: within a few kilometres, you find a beach to learn, a spot to improve and a powerful beach break for experienced surfers. And if the swell does not suit you, you can go surfing just to the north, in Hossegor or in Seignosse. Planning a bigger trip? Find all our spots for surfing in France.
Surf camps and surf schools in Capbreton
In summer, surf schools teach on Capbreton’s lifeguarded beaches, including Le Santocha. No Capbreton school is listed on Travel Surf yet.
Do you run a surf school in Capbreton?
Present your school to readers planning a surf trip to Capbreton.
List my schoolWhen to go surfing in Capbreton?
It depends on your level. In summer, the swell is smaller and the beaches have lifeguards: it is the season to start, at L’Estacade, Le Prévent or Le Santocha with a school. From September to November, swells are more regular: it is the best time to improve. To compare with other destinations at that time, see also where to surf in October and where to surf in November. In winter, waves get powerful: La Piste is for experienced surfers only, and Le Santocha is the backup when Hossegor and Seignosse are too big.
The surf season in Capbreton
| Period | The waves | Who for | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| June to August | Smaller swells, lots of people | Beginners, with a school | 21 to 23 °C |
| September to November | More regular swells, the best period | Intermediate and experienced surfers; beginners on small days | 18 to 20 °C in September and October |
| December to February | Powerful swells | Experienced surfers | 12 to 14 °C |
| March to May | Calmer conditions | All levels depending on the spot | Water still cool |
Where to surf in Capbreton?
Capbreton’s spots are beach breaks with a sandy bottom, working with a west swell and an east wind. From north to south: L’Estacade, at the foot of the jetty, Le Prévent, between the harbour jetties and Le Santocha, then Le Santocha, La Piste, Les Océanides and La Pointe, at the southern end. Remember that the level depends on the size of the swell : a spot that is easy in summer can become demanding in winter.
Surf spots for beginners in Capbreton
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| L’Estacade | Lefts and rights over several sections, at the foot of the jetty; works well at mid tide | Summer and small days |
| Le Prévent | Sheltered spot, with smaller waves most days; hollow and fast, with a shorebreak, when the swell picks up | Summer and small days |
| Le Santocha | Schools teach there in summer; busy line-up | Summer, with a school |
Surf spots for intermediate surfers in Capbreton
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| Le Santocha | Long right that runs from the groyne towards the bunkers, plus left and right peaks, at mid tide. A demanding and fickle spot | October to February |
Surf spots for experienced surfers in Capbreton
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| La Piste | Hollow, fast and powerful beach break, in shallow water, in front of the bunkers; at mid tide | With a west to north-west swell |
| Les Océanides | Fast peaks breaking close to the shore, in shallow water; barrels when the swell picks up | At all tides |
| La Pointe | Left and right, at the southern end of Capbreton | With a west to north-west swell, east to south-east wind |
| Le Prévent | Gets hollow and powerful with a big swell, and is then used as a backup | On big swell days |
Surf spot guides in Capbreton
L'Estacade: learning at the foot of the harbour
L’Estacade is the northernmost spot in Capbreton, at the foot of the jetty, at the harbour entrance. It has lefts and rights over several sections, and works well at mid tide. It suits beginners, in summer and on small days, with a school. Just to the south, Le Prévent is sheltered and good for beginners, except when the swell picks up: its waves then get hollow and fast.
Le Prévent: the sheltered spot
Le Prévent is south of the harbour entrance, between the central beach and Le Santocha, framed by jetties. Thanks to the Gouf, waves are smaller there most days. It is a good spot to learn, except when the swell picks up: it then gets hollow and fast, with a shorebreak. With a big swell, it gets hollow and powerful and becomes a backup for experienced surfers.
Le Santocha: the groyne right
Le Santocha has a long right that runs from the rocky groyne towards the bunkers, plus left and right peaks; it works best at mid tide. In summer, schools teach there; in winter, it is a demanding and fickle spot, used as a backup when Hossegor and Seignosse are too big. On site, a beach bar. Watch out for rocks near the groyne and for currents.
La Piste: the spot for experienced surfers
La Piste is south of Capbreton, in front of the Second World War bunkers. It is a hollow, fast and powerful beach break, breaking in shallow water, with a strong current: it is for experienced surfers only. In summer, the beach has lifeguards from early July to the end of August, from 11 am to 7 pm.
Les Océanides: for experienced surfers
Just south of La Piste, Les Océanides produces fast peaks breaking close to the shore, in shallow water, at all tides. When the swell picks up, waves get hollow and offer nice barrels: it is a spot for experienced surfers. Currents are always there, so watch before you paddle out. The beach has a lifeguard station, free parking and a motorhome car park at the foot of the dune.
La Pointe: the southernmost spot
La Pointe is the southernmost spot in Capbreton, reached after a short walk. It has a left and a right with a west to north-west swell and an east to south-east wind. The spot is less crowded than the others, but the peak is competitive: respect the locals. It is for experienced surfers only.
Surfing in Capbreton: practical info
Surf
- Level: all levels depending on the spot and the season
- Wave type: beach breaks
- Bottom: sand, with groynes and rocks near the jetties
- Swell: west, east wind
- Water: about 12 to 14 °C in winter, 18 to 20 °C in September and October, 21 to 23 °C in summer
Before you go
- Airport: Biarritz, the closest
- High-speed train (TGV): Bayonne and Dax stations
- Regional train (TER): Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse station, then the free Yégo 1B bus to Capbreton harbour
- Documents: ID card or passport for European Union travellers
- GoSurf webcams: Le Prévent, Le Santocha and La Piste
On site
- Parking: free at the Beausoleil car park (for Le Santocha and La Piste) and at Les Océanides; elsewhere in town, parking is paying
- Crowds: the water is busy almost all year round, not only in summer
- Vibe: mostly relaxed, but a few edgy surfers at times. Respect the priority rules
- Lifeguarded beaches: in summer, surf in the zone shown by the lifeguards
- Currency: euro (€)
Learning to surf in Capbreton
For your first waves, come in summer and take a lesson at L’Estacade, Le Prévent or Le Santocha, on a lifeguarded beach. Avoid La Piste and days with a big swell, and ask the lifeguards where the currents are that day. To compare with other destinations, read our guide to surfing for beginners.
Where to stay for surfing in Capbreton?
Staying near the harbour puts you within walking distance of Le Prévent and Le Santocha. If you want to switch spots depending on the swell, Hossegor and Seignosse are just to the north. Book early for July and August.
How to get to Capbreton for surfing?
The closest airport is Biarritz. By train, the high-speed train stops at Bayonne and Dax; by regional train, get off at Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse and take the free Yégo 1B bus to Capbreton harbour. On site, park for free at the Beausoleil car park, for Le Santocha and La Piste, or at Les Océanides: elsewhere in town, parking is paying. Train times and tickets on SNCF Connect.
What to do in Capbreton besides surfing?
On flat days, Capbreton has plenty to do:
- Fat bike on the beach: ride on the sand along the ocean, on a bike with big tyres.
- Cycling on La Vélodyssée: rent a bike and follow the cycle path along the coast, through the pine forest, to Hossegor and Seignosse.
- Skatepark: something to keep your legs moving between two sessions.
- Mountains and Spain: the Basque mountains and Spain are close enough for a day trip.
- Food and nightlife: in summer, the harbour and the town centre come alive, with restaurants and a very festive nightlife.
At the end of September, the Quiksilver Festival also takes over Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse: invitation-only surf contest, skateboarding and concerts, free to attend.
All guided activities in Capbreton
SURFER REVIEWS in Capbreton
Have you surfed in Capbreton? Share your experience.
Fanny – intermediate level
I surf all year round in the south of the Landes, especially at Santocha in Capbreton. I love this spot but it is demanding and temperamental. In winter it is a fallback spot for surfers from Seignosse and Hossegor. In summer the waves are ideal for beginners but watch out for the crowds.
- All year round
- Capbreton, France
Muriel – beginner level
Great experience at Santocha! I am a beginner surfer and I took lessons in Capbreton (Santocha). In summer there are inevitably quite a few people in the water, but the lessons are really great and so are the instructors: good teachers, reassuring and motivating. I recommend it!
- All year round
- Capbreton, France
FAQ: everything about surfing in Capbreton
Can you learn to surf in Capbreton?
Yes. L’Estacade suits beginners, and in summer schools also teach at Le Santocha. So does Le Prévent, except when the swell picks up: its waves then get hollow and fast, with a shorebreak. Avoid La Piste, for experienced surfers only.
When is the best time to surf in Capbreton?
Summer to start, with a school. September to November to improve, when swells are more regular. Winter is for experienced surfers only.
What are the surf spots in Capbreton?
From north to south: L’Estacade, Le Prévent, Le Santocha, La Piste, Les Océanides and La Pointe. They are all beach breaks with a sandy bottom.
What is the Gouf de Capbreton?
An underwater canyon off Capbreton. It weakens the swell in front of Le Prévent, which stays more sheltered than the rest of the coast most days.
What is the water temperature in Capbreton?
About 12 to 14 °C in winter, 18 to 20 °C in September and October and 21 to 23 °C in July and August.
How to get to Capbreton without a car?
By regional train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, then the free Yégo 1B bus to Capbreton harbour.
Information may change. This guide is for general guidance only: surf conditions, temperatures, access, opening hours and prices can change. Before your trip and every session, check the forecast, local conditions and information from local providers. A spot description and its suggested level are no guarantee of safety: always match your session to your level and the conditions on the day. Learn more
Updated November 2026
Sources: Surfline Le Santocha, Ultimate France, Plages des Landes, Belambra, Mondo.surf, Plages.tv, Surf-Report, Hossegor.fr, Seignosse Tourisme, TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Plages.tv Océanides, Mondo.surf La Pointe, Surf-forecast La Pointe.
Aerial and surf photos: Aurélie Leclercq.
