La Gravière is in the north of Hossegor, just past La Nord as you walk up the beach from La Centrale. It is a benchmark wave in Europe. It is a sandy beach break that produces hollow, powerful barrels in very shallow water.
It is a spot for experts: if you are a beginner, watch the show from the beach and go surfing at La Sud. For the other spots in town, read our guide to surfing in Hossegor.
At a glance: La Gravière
| Wave type | Beach break, lefts and rights |
| Bottom | Sand |
| Level | Experts only |
| Swell | West to north-west |
| Wind | East (offshore) |
| Best period | October to February |
| Hazards | Strong currents, shorebreak, shallow water, localism |
About La Gravière (Hossegor, Landes)
La Gravière breaks on a sandbank, with hollow, powerful lefts and rights. The barrels close out in very shallow water, hence a powerful shorebreak and strong currents.
The Quiksilver contest is held just to the north, at Les Culs Nus.
When to surf La Gravière?
La Gravière wakes up with the west to north-west swells of autumn and winter, from October to February, with an east wind. In summer, the waves are often too small for it to work well.
La Gravière surf calendar: swell size by month
La Gravière forecast
Before you paddle out, check the swell, wind and tide: here, the level of the spot changes with the size of the waves.
- Windy weather map (43.6756, -1.4434): swell, wind and live conditions.
- GoSurf webcam at La Nord, right next door : the waves live before you go.
- Surfline forecast : swell, period and tide over several days.
La Gravière: what level?
Beginners: avoid
La Gravière is not a spot to learn. Go to La Sud, Hossegor’s most sheltered beach, with a school.
Intermediate surfers: avoid
Even when small, the wave stays fast and breaks close to the shore. Stick to La Centrale or Les Estagnots in Seignosse to improve.
Experienced surfers: the benchmark wave
With a west to north-west swell and an east wind, it is a benchmark wave in Europe. Watch out for localism and crowds when it is on.
How to get to La Gravière?
The beach is at the north end of Hossegor’s seafront, in Soorts-Hossegor. Parking at La Gravière is free.
The beach has lifeguards in summer, with a restaurant next door.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 43.6756° N, 1.4434° W. La Gravière, Hossegor, Landes.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near La Gravière?
Stay in Hossegor to walk or cycle to the beaches, or in Seignosse and Capbreton, right next door. Book early for July and August.
What to do near La Gravière?
On flat days, walk around Lake Hossegor. At the end of September, the Quiksilver Festival livens up Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton, free to attend.
FAQ: La Gravière
No. It is a hollow, powerful wave, for experts only. Beginners go to La Sud, with a school.
From October to February, with a west to north-west swell and an east wind.
Parking at La Gravière is free.
In short
La Gravière is Hossegor’s best-known wave: a hollow, powerful beach break, for experts only, at its best from October to February. To learn, go to La Sud.
Other spots to check out nearby: La Nord surf spot and La Sud surf spot. To compare with other regions, see our guide to surfing in France.
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
Sources: Surfline, Ultimate France, Mondo.surf, Plages.tv, Plages des Landes, Guide des Landes.