Surfing Lacanau & Le Porge

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 4/5

Clean groundswell, low to mid tide

Lacanau-Océan is the main surf town in Gironde. Its beach breaks pick up plenty of Atlantic groundswell and have punchy peaks, though they're less intense than Hossegor.

There are several peaks along the beach in front of the town, some easier and some hollower depending on the banks. Low to mid tide on a clean groundswell is usually best.

Lacanau has hosted professional contests for decades and the town is built around surfing, with surf schools, shops and plenty of places to stay. It's very busy in July and August, when the waves are usually small and suit lessons. Autumn brings better swell and far fewer people. If the main beach is crowded, walk north or south along the sand, or drive to Le Porge or Carcans for emptier peaks.

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 2/5

Clean groundswell

Le Porge is a long, open beach north of Lacanau, backed by pine forest instead of a town. You walk from the car park through the dunes, which keeps the crowd smaller.

The waves are the same Atlantic beach break as the rest of this coast, with banks that move through the season, so check a few spots. Bring water and sun cream, because there's almost nothing there.

Autumn brings the best swell and fewer people. In summer there are lifeguards at the main beach access, but walk a little way along the sand and you'll usually have space. Lacanau, ten minutes south, has the shops and places to stay.

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 2/5

Clean groundswell, all tides

Carcans-Plage is a quiet beach north of Lacanau, with dunes and pine forest running down to the sand. It picks up the same groundswell as the rest of the Gironde coast, with far fewer people.

Local contests have been held here for years. It's an easy drive from Lacanau or Bordeaux.

It's at its best in autumn, on a clean groundswell with an easterly wind. In summer there are lifeguards, a few cafés and a campsite behind the dunes, and the lake of Carcans-Hourtin, a few minutes inland, is a good place to swim on flat days.