
Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 15 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period, WNW swell with 51 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 19 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 5s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lacanau Ocean this week:
The surf forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 19) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 5s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lacanau Ocean in the next 16 days are 0.9m 5s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 15) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.8m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 19th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 15th Jul) | 3ft (0.9m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at the 16-day stretch for Lacanau-Ocean. Honestly, for the first week and a half, it’s a tough slog. We’re looking at a gap of about 10 days before anything really starts to show its teeth. From the 14th of July through to the 22nd, the swell is tiny—mostly knee-high or less—and the wind is all over the place, cross or onshore, keeping the ocean a mess. There’s nothing to recommend for a paddle. The water is a warm 25° right now, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won’t freeze while you’re waiting.
Things finally start to twitch on the morning of the 23rd of July. The swell picks up to 3 ft from the west-northwest, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the east-northeast. The energy is still weak though, so it’s only just surfable, nothing to get excited about. The 24th of July morning sees a real jump—swell at 4 ft from the west, period at 8 seconds, and the energy kicks into moderate territory. The wind is still clean from the east-northeast. It’s going to be marginal, but better.
Now, the standout. If you can wait, the morning of the 25th of July is the one. That’s when the ocean wakes up. We’ve got a solid 7 ft groundswell from the west, with a period of 10 seconds, and the energy is pumping. The wind is glassy—absolutely dead calm—so the conditions will be clean and lined up. This is a proper swell for Lacanau Ocean, and with that west direction right in the optimum, it’s about as good as it gets. That size is getting into the territory for intermediate and above; beginners might find it a bit much. Paddling out will be easier with the longer gaps between sets from that 10-second period, but the power is there.
The 26th of July morning is also a cracker. Swell is down a touch to 5 ft from the west-northwest, still a 10-second period, and the energy is strong. The wind is light from the north, giving a clean cross-offshore breeze. This is a great session for a Sunday morning, with less size than the 25th, so it’s more accessible if you’re an intermediate.
After that, the wind turns onshore and messy again from the 27th onwards, with the swell hanging around 4 ft to 6 ft, but the conditions are just too choppy to call it a good wave. The energy is there, but it’s not worth fighting the wind.
So, the best of the lot is the 25th of July morning. The glassy, clean conditions on that 7 ft west swell will be magic. The 26th of July morning is a close second for a cleaner, slightly smaller option. For the rest of it, it’s a waiting game.
Signing off, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Sun night, min 21°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tue 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 11 | W 10 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | W 8 | NNW 4 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 42 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 51 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 10 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:30PM4.20m | 6:01AM3.99m | 6:19PM4.33m | 6:49AM4.00m | 7:06PM4.34m | 7:35AM3.92m | 7:52PM4.23m | 8:20AM3.77m | 8:37PM4.02m | 9:05AM3.57m | 9:23PM3.74m | 9:52AM3.36m | 10:12PM3.43m | 10:43AM3.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:29PM-0.04m | 11:46AM0.10m | 00:18AM-0.13m | 12:33PM0.04m | 1:05AM-0.10m | 1:18PM0.09m | 1:50AM0.03m | 2:03PM0.23m | 2:34AM0.25m | 2:48PM0.44m | 3:19AM0.52m | 3:35PM0.70m | 4:05AM0.80m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | |
— | 9:49 | — | — | 9:49 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | 9:44 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 33 | 34 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 5 | W 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 5 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | NW 5 | W 8 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 4 | WNW 7 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | N 5 |
2 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 42 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 25 | 5 | 51 | 13 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | WNW 7 | W 12 | W 11 |
11 | 1 | 1 | — | 15 | 14 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | — | 15 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | NW 9 | W 11 | NW 4 | W 10 | W 8 | W 8 |
1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | WNW 5 | — | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 5 | — | NW 4 | — | NE 3 | NNE 2 | E 3 | NE 3 | NNE 4 | NE 4 | NE 4 |
3 | 12 | 11 | 19 | — | — | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | — | 28 | — | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 16 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 635 | 389 | 389 | 533 | 88 | 389 | 713 | 494 | 438 | 660 | 943 | 943 | 713 | 0 | 88 | 327 | 88 | 205 | 205 | 143 | 88 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gironde | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Lacanau Ocean Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Lacanau Ocean provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Lacanau Ocean can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Lacanau Ocean surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Lacanau Ocean) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Lacanau Ocean may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Lacanau Ocean is 38 km (24 miles) from Arcachon. If you plan a holiday in Gironde, look for hotels and other accommodation in Arcachon. Arcachon has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











