Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, NW swell with 328 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period with WNW 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lacanau Ocean in the next 16 days are 1.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 3s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what Lacanau Ocean has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.
It’s a bit of a slow start, to be honest. The first few days are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and onshore winds messing everything up. You’re looking at Thursday the 20th before anything even gets a pulse. That Thursday morning, we get a spike of groundswell energy (200) coming from the WNW, a clean 3ft with a period of 11 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. That’s our first real highlight. The water is sitting at a very unusual 78°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year out here.
The real standout, though, looks like it could be the morning of Friday the 28th of August. That’s a long way off, so don’t book the time off just yet, but the models are showing a proper pulse. We’re looking at 6ft of WNW groundswell with a period of 9 seconds and a combined energy of 612. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit textured but still plenty rideable. That’s a solid step up in size and power.
The other worthy mention is the Sunday morning of the 30th of August. Another good-sized WNW groundswell, 7ft with an 11-second period, delivering a strong 1080 energy reading. The wind is a light cross-shore, which should keep things reasonably clean. It’s pushing into a bigger size range, so it’ll be more for the intermediate and above crew. Lacanau Ocean handles the longer-period stuff fine for a beach break, but expect those sets to be a bit more lined up.
Right now, it’s a waiting game for the second half of the period. The first week is a total bust, but there’s some promising energy on the horizon if you’re willing to be patient.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 5mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu morning, min 16°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | NW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
47 | 57 | 28 | 23 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 37 | 200 | 208 | 328 | 256 | 251 | 182 | 65 | 73 | 50 | 28 | 26 | 17 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:21AM3.68m | 8:38PM3.71m | 8:57AM3.44m | 9:16PM3.36m | 9:36AM3.18m | 10:01PM3.03m | 10:27AM2.93m | 11:09PM2.75m | 11:51AM2.76m | 00:51AM2.64m | 1:30PM2.77m | 2:16AM2.73m | 2:41PM2.94m | 3:14AM2.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:14PM0.35m | 2:37AM0.50m | 2:55PM0.64m | 3:17AM0.83m | 3:40PM0.96m | 4:03AM1.15m | 4:33PM1.25m | 4:59AM1.41m | 5:42PM1.46m | 6:16AM1.56m | 7:10PM1.50m | 7:43AM1.51m | 8:30PM1.34m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 10 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 7 | W 10 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 6 | W 9 |
47 | 57 | 4 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 37 | 200 | 208 | 328 | 256 | 251 | 182 | 65 | 32 | 50 | 28 | 18 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 8 | WNW 9 | — | WNW 7 | NW 4 | NW 11 | NW 12 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 |
— | — | 2 | 15 | — | 4 | 4 | 4 | 37 | — | — | 6 | — | — | 7 | 13 | — | 30 | 26 | 26 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | W 15 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | W 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 5 | — | NW 5 | NW 4 | — | NW 5 | NW 6 | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | NE 3 | — | NW 7 |
— | — | 28 | — | 18 | 10 | — | 8 | 26 | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | 73 | — | 2 | — | 17 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 161 | 211 | 129 | 197 | 592 | 415 | 344 | 448 | 54 | 0 | 185 | 70 | 149 | 185 | 88 | 0 | 149 | 0 | 11 | 277 | 0 |
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.











