Surfing in Hossegor: spots, season and tips
Hossegor, or rather Soorts-Hossegor, is the best-known destination for surfing in the Landes. From north to south, four beaches follow one another: La Gravière, for experts only, La Nord, the big-wave spot, then La Centrale and La Sud, the beach where schools teach.
The level of each spot depends on the swell, so on the season. This guide gives you the spots by level and by period, how to get there and our tips for surfing in Hossegor.
At a glance: surfing in Hossegor
| Spots | La Gravière, La Nord, La Centrale, La Sud |
| Level | La Sud to start; La Gravière and La Nord for experienced surfers only |
| Wave type | Beach breaks on a sandy bottom, hollow and powerful with a big swell |
| Ideal conditions | West to north-west swell, east wind |
| Best period | September to November; 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 | Biarritz airport about 40 km away; regional train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse then the Yégo 1B bus |
Why surf in Hossegor?
Hossegor is known worldwide for La Gravière, a beach break that produces hollow, powerful barrels in very shallow water. The Quiksilver contest, however, runs at Les Culs Nus, just north of La Gravière. La Nord holds swells of 5 to 6 m and hosts the Rip Curl Challenge, a big-wave contest.
But Hossegor is not only for experts: in the south, La Sud is the most sheltered beach in town, where schools take their beginners.
Seignosse is just to the north and Capbreton just to the south: if the swell does not suit you, you can go surfing in Seignosse or surfing in Capbreton. Planning a bigger trip? Find all our spots for surfing in France.
Surf camps and surf schools in Hossegor
In summer, surf schools teach on Hossegor’s lifeguarded beaches, especially at La Sud. No Hossegor school is listed on Travel Surf yet.
Do you run a surf school in Hossegor?
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List my schoolWhen to go surfing in Hossegor?
In summer, the swell is smaller and the beaches have lifeguards: it is the season to start at La Sud, 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. With a big swell, from October to February at La Gravière and from September to March at La Nord, these two spots are for experienced surfers only.
The surf season in Hossegor
| 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, bigger waves | Experienced surfers | 12 to 14 °C |
| March to May | Calmer conditions | All levels depending on the spot | Water still cool |
Where to surf in Hossegor?
Hossegor’s beaches are beach breaks with a sandy bottom, working with a west to north-west swell and an east wind. From north to south: La Gravière, La Nord, La Centrale and La Sud. Remember that the level depends on the size of the swell : La Sud works well in summer and becomes the backup spot when La Gravière and La Nord are too big.
Surf spots for beginners in Hossegor
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| La Sud | The most sheltered beach in Hossegor, where schools teach. Avoid high tide, when the shorebreak takes over | Summer and small days |
Surf spots for intermediate surfers in Hossegor
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| La Centrale | Shorebreak close to the shore, working mostly at mid tide | At mid tide |
| La Sud | Backup spot when the swell is big elsewhere | On big swell days |
Surf spots for experienced surfers in Hossegor
| Spot | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|
| Les Culs Nus | At the northern end of Hossegor: powerful beach break, where the Quiksilver contest is held | October to February |
| La Gravière | Hollow and powerful barrels in very shallow water, lefts and rights. For experts only | October to February |
| La Nord | Big-wave spot that holds swells of 5 to 6 m | September to March |
Surf spot guides in Hossegor
Surfing in Hossegor: practical info
Surf
- Level: all levels depending on the spot and the season
- Wave type: beach breaks
- Bottom: sand
- Swell: west to north-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, about 40 km away (40 minutes by car)
- High-speed train (TGV): Dax station, then bus 517 (about 50 minutes); Bayonne station
- Regional train (TER): Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse station, then the free Yégo 1B bus to Hossegor
- Documents: ID card or passport for European Union travellers
- GoSurf webcams: La Nord, La Centrale
On site
- Parking: free at La Gravière; elsewhere, car parks are paying, but the surrounding streets are free
- 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 Hossegor
For your first waves, come in summer and take a lesson at La Sud, a lifeguarded beach. Avoid La Gravière and La Nord, and days with a big swell. To compare with other destinations, read our guide to surfing for beginners.
How to get to Hossegor for surfing?
The most convenient airport is Biarritz, about 40 km away. By train, the high-speed train stops at Dax and Bayonne; by regional train, get off at Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse and take the free Yégo 1B bus to Hossegor. On site, parking is free at La Gravière; elsewhere, car parks are paying, but the surrounding streets are free. Train times and tickets on SNCF Connect.
What to do in Hossegor besides surfing?
On flat days in Hossegor:
- Lake Hossegor: a walk or a bike ride around the lake, between villas and pine trees.
- Oysters by the lake: a plate of oysters and a glass of white wine on a terrace, facing the boats on the lake.
- Bike ride: La Vélodyssée cycle route passes close by; rent a bike and ride to Seignosse or Capbreton on the bike path.
- Fat bike: a ride on the sand by the water, on a bike with big tyres.
- Skateboarding: the local skateparks take over from surfing on flat days.
- Day trip: the Basque mountains and Spain are easy to reach for a day.
- Summer evenings: in July and August, restaurants and bars keep Hossegor lively until late.
At the end of September, the Quiksilver Festival takes over Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton: invitation-only surf contest, skateboarding and concerts, free to attend.
All guided activities in Hossegor
FAQ: everything about surfing in Hossegor
Can you learn to surf in Hossegor?
Yes, at La Sud, the most sheltered beach in Hossegor, where schools teach in summer. Avoid La Gravière and La Nord, for experts only.
What are the surf spots in Hossegor?
From north to south: La Gravière, La Nord, La Centrale and La Sud. They are beach breaks with a sandy bottom.
When to surf in Hossegor?
Summer to start, September to November to improve. Big autumn and winter swells are for experienced surfers only.
Are La Centrale and La Sud the same beach?
No. They are two neighbouring beaches: La Centrale is to the north, La Sud to the south, towards Capbreton.
What is the water temperature in Hossegor?
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 Hossegor without a car?
By regional train to Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, then the free Yégo 1B bus. The closest airport is Biarritz.
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 La Nord, Ultimate France, Mondo.surf, Plages.tv, Plages des Landes, Guide des Landes, Surf-Report, Hossegor.fr, Seignosse Tourisme, Surfline Les Culs Nus.
Aerial and surf photos: Aurélie Leclercq.
