Surfing in the Landes: spots, season and tips
With 106 km of sandy beaches, the Landes line up beach breaks along the whole coast. Sandbanks shape peaks all along the shore: you can learn in the whitewater at Vieux-Boucau, improve in Seignosse or watch experienced surfers at La Gravière, in Hossegor.
Here, the level of a spot changes with the season. The same beach can be great for beginners in July and only for experienced surfers in December. This guide lists the spots from north to south, by level and by season, with the safety rules you need to know about rip currents (baïnes).
At a glance: surfing in the Landes
| Level | All levels depending on the spot and the season: summer to start, autumn to improve, winter for experienced surfers |
| Wave type | Beach breaks on a sandy bottom, with banks that move with the seasons |
| Best period | September to November, with more regular swells |
| Water | About 12 to 14 °C in winter, 18 to 20 °C in September and October, 21 to 23 °C in summer |
| Wetsuit | Shorty or 2 mm in summer, 3/2 in spring and autumn, at least a 4/3 in winter (5/4 with boots at the coldest) |
| Safety | Rip currents: surf in the zone shown by the lifeguards |
| Getting there | Biarritz airport about 40 km from Hossegor; high-speed trains to Dax and Bayonne, regional trains to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse |
Why surf in the Landes?
The Landes are a straight line of sand lined with pine forest, with no cliffs or reefs. Waves break on sandbanks that change with storms and seasons: each beach has several peaks, and you can almost always find a wave for your level a few kilometres away.
In the south, off Capbreton, the Gouf, an underwater canyon, weakens the swell in front of Le Prévent. The coast also hosts the Quiksilver Festival in September, between Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton.
Surf camps and surf schools in the Landes
A surf camp bundles accommodation, lessons and gear: it is the easiest option for a first surf week. In the Landes, you also find schools on many beaches with lifeguards in summer, if you prefer to book your accommodation separately. Here are the schools listed on Travel Surf.
Do you run a surf camp in the Landes?
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List my surf campWhen to go surfing in the Landes?
It mostly depends on your level. In summer, the swell is smaller and schools are open on many beaches: it is the season to start. From September to November, swells are more regular and the water is still mild: it is the best time to improve. In winter, waves get powerful and the water cold, for experienced surfers only. Spring brings good waves in calmer conditions, but the water stays cool.
The surf season in the Landes
| Period | The waves | Who for | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| June to August | Smaller swells, very busy beaches | 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, bigger waves | Experienced surfers | 12 to 14 °C |
| March to May | Good waves, calmer conditions | All levels depending on the spot | Water still cool |
To compare with the rest of the country, read our guide on when to go surfing in France.
Where to surf in the Landes?
The surf spots of the Landes follow one another from north to south. They are all beach breaks with a sandy bottom. Remember one rule: the level of a spot depends on the swell, so on the season. In summer, with a small swell, Seignosse and Hossegor welcome beginners with a school. As soon as the swell picks up, from September to February, the same beaches become demanding. Here are the spots by level, with the period when they suit you.
Surf spots for beginners in the Landes
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Penon | Seignosse | The beach for surf lessons; watch out for the shorebreak at high tide | Summer and small days |
| La Sud | Hossegor | The beach where Hossegor’s schools teach, the most sheltered in town | Summer and small days |
| L’Estacade | Capbreton | At the foot of the jetty: lefts and rights over several sections, best at mid tide | Summer and small days |
| Le Santocha | Capbreton | In summer, waves suited to lessons, with a crowded line-up | Summer |
| Moliets-Plage | Central Landes | Beach break for beginners and intermediate surfers, from low to mid tide | Summer and small days |
| Messanges | Central Landes | Central beach suitable for beginners; strong currents when the swell picks up | Summer |
| Vieux-Boucau | Central Landes | Schools in summer, fine with a small swell. Rip currents: stay in the lifeguarded zone | Summer and small days |
Surf spots for intermediate surfers in the Landes
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Les Estagnots | Seignosse | Lefts and rights; fine in summer with a small swell, hollow and fast when it gets bigger | September to February to improve |
| Le Penon | Seignosse | Peaky beach break, easy on a longboard with a small swell; watch out for the shorebreak | September to November |
| La Centrale | Hossegor | Shorebreak close to the shore, working mostly at mid tide | At mid tide |
| Le Santocha | Capbreton | A right that runs from the groyne towards the bunkers, and a left that comes back towards the groyne, at mid tide. A demanding and fickle spot, used as a backup in winter when Hossegor and Seignosse are too big | October to February |
Surf spots for experienced surfers in the Landes
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Gravière | Hossegor | Hollow and powerful beach break, one of the best-known waves in Europe. For experienced surfers only | October to February |
| La Nord | Hossegor | Big-wave spot that holds the biggest winter swells | September to March |
| La Piste | Capbreton | Hollow and powerful beach break in front of the bunkers, at mid tide | With a west to north-west swell |
Surf spot guides in the Landes
Spots in the north of the Landes: Biscarrosse, Mimizan and Contis
In the north, the beaches are long and wild. Biscarrosse-Plage has a powerful beach break. Mimizan-Plage and Contis are beach breaks with several peaks, suitable for all levels with a small swell.
Central Landes: from Lit-et-Mixe to Vieux-Boucau
Central Landes is quieter out of season. Cap de l’Homy in Lit-et-Mixe and Saint-Girons are beach breaks for all levels. Moliets suits beginners, from low to mid tide. Messanges has a central beach suitable for beginners, with strong currents when the swell picks up. Vieux-Boucauhas schools in summer and suits beginners with a small swell, as long as you stay in the lifeguarded zone.
Seignosse: Le Penon, Les Bourdaines and Les Estagnots
Seignosse lines up three spots, and this is where the season changes everything. In summer, with a small swell, Le Penon and Les Estagnots welcome all levels. As soon as the swell picks up, Les Estagnots produces hollow, fast waves, especially at high tide, and hosts contests every year. Les Bourdaines is not a spot to learn: the shorebreak is violent and the currents strong. All the details are in our guide to surfing in Seignosse.
Hossegor: La Gravière, La Nord, La Centrale and La Sud
Hossegor is the best-known spot in the Landes. La Gravière is a hollow and powerful beach break, for experienced surfers only. La Nord holds the biggest winter swells. To start, schools teach at La Sud, the most sheltered beach in Hossegor. La Centrale, just to the north, is a different beach: a shorebreak close to the shore, working mostly at mid tide. All the spots are in our guide to surfing in Hossegor.
Capbreton: L'Estacade, Le Prévent, Le Santocha and La Piste
Capbreton is the southernmost town of the trio. From north to south: L’Estacade, at the foot of the jetty, is a spot to start. Le Prévent, sheltered, is good for beginners, except when the swell picks up: then watch out for the shorebreak. Le Santocha has a right that runs from the groyne towards the bunkers, with a left that comes back towards the groyne; it works best at mid tide. In summer, schools teach there; in winter, it is a demanding spot used as a backup when Hossegor and Seignosse are too big. Further south, La Piste, in front of the bunkers, is a hollow and powerful beach break, at mid tide, for experienced surfers, like Les Océanides and La Pointe, at the southern end of town. All the spots are in our guide to surfing in Capbreton.
South of the Landes: Labenne, Ondres and Tarnos
South of Capbreton, Labenne-Océan suits all levels with a small swell, with a powerful shorebreak at high tide. Ondres-Plage is fine for beginners on small days. In Tarnos, the Métro beach welcomes all levels, while the Digue beach is for experienced surfers. This is the end of the Landes coast, just north of the Adour river and the Basque Country.
Surfing in the Landes: practical info
Surf
- Level: all levels depending on the spot and the season
- Wave type: beach breaks
- Bottom: sand, with banks that move with the seasons
- Best period: September to November
- 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, about 40 km from Hossegor (40 minutes by car); Bordeaux-Mérignac for the north of the Landes
- High-speed train (TGV): Dax station, then bus 517 to Seignosse (about 50 minutes); Bayonne station
- Regional train (TER): Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse station, between Dax and Bayonne, then the free Yégo 1B bus to Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton harbour
- Documents: ID card or passport for European Union travellers
- GoSurf webcams: Moliets, Vieux-Boucau, Le Penon, Les Bourdaines and Les Estagnots, La Nord, La Centrale, Le Prévent, Le Santocha and La Piste, Ondres
On site
- Lifeguarded beaches : in summer, with a surf zone marked by a black and white chequered flag
- Getting around : a car is the easiest way to switch spots; beach shuttles in summer between Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton
- Currency : euro (€)
Learning to surf in the Landes
For your first waves, come in summer and pick a lifeguarded beach with a school: La Sud in Hossegor, Moliets or Vieux-Boucau. Avoid powerful spots like La Gravière, La Nord or La Piste, and days with a big swell. Take a lesson, stay in the surf zone and ask the lifeguards where the rip currents are that day.
If you are comparing with other destinations, our guide to surfing for beginners lists the easiest destinations to learn.
Where to stay for a surf trip in the Landes?
The Landes have campsites near the beaches, rentals and hotels in the resorts. To stay close to the waves, aim for Seignosse, Hossegor or Capbreton in the south, or Vieux-Boucau and Moliets in the centre. Book early for July and August.
Safety: rip currents (baïnes) and flags
Baïnes are hollows between sandbanks: as the tide rises and falls, water flows back out to sea through a channel and creates a strong current.
- Green flag : low risk.
- Yellow flag : limited danger.
- Red flag : swimming forbidden.
- Two red and yellow flags : lifeguarded swimming zone.
- Black and white chequered flag : zone for surfing and water sports.
- No flag : no lifeguards.
How to get to and around the Landes?
The most convenient airport for the south of the Landes is Biarritz, about 40 km from Hossegor. By high-speed train, get off at Dax and take bus 517 to Seignosse, or at Bayonne. By regional train, Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse station is the closest to Hossegor: the free Yégo 1B bus links it to Seignosse, Hossegor and Capbreton harbour. On site, a car is the easiest way to switch spots depending on the swell; in summer, shuttles link the beaches of Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton. Train times and tickets on SNCF Connect.
What to do in the Landes besides surfing?
At the end of September, the Quiksilver Festival takes over Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse: invitation-only surf contest, skateboarding and concerts, free to attend. On flat days, the pine forest and Lake Hossegor are great for walks.
All guided activities in the Landes
SURFER REVIEWS in the Landes
Have you surfed in the Landes? 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 the Landes
Where to learn to surf in the Landes?
In summer, on a lifeguarded beach with a school: La Sud in Hossegor, Moliets or Vieux-Boucau. Avoid La Gravière, La Nord and La Piste, for experienced surfers only.
What is the best season to surf in the Landes?
From September to November, when swells are more regular. Summer suits beginners but beaches are very busy, and winter is for experienced surfers only.
What is the water temperature in the Landes?
About 12 to 14 °C in winter, 18 to 20 °C in September and October and 21 to 23 °C in July and August.
What wetsuit do you need to surf in the Landes?
A shorty or a 2 mm in summer (3/2 if it is windy), a 3/2 in spring and autumn, and at least a 4/3 in winter. At the coldest, a 5/4 or 5/3 with boots, gloves and a hood.
What is a baïne?
A hollow between two sandbanks. With the tide, water flows back out to sea through a channel and creates a strong current. Surf in the zone shown by the lifeguards and follow the flags.
How to get to the Landes for surfing?
Fly to Biarritz (about 40 km from Hossegor) or Bordeaux. By train, take the high-speed train to Dax or Bayonne, or the regional train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, then a bus. On site, a car is the easiest way to follow the swell.
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 La Gravière, Surfline Les Estagnots, Surfline Le Penon, Surfline Vieux-Boucau, Surfline Le Santocha, Ultimate France, Plages.tv, Mondo.surf, Surf-Report, Guide des Landes, Belambra, Lonely Planet, Hossegor.fr, Seignosse Tourisme, Service-public.fr, TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Aerial and surf photos: Aurélie Leclercq.
