Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 2 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 13s period, WNW swell with 497 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 3 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s 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 (Sep 03) at 11PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 4s. 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 1.3m 13s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11PM (Thu 3rd Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s shaping up for Lacanau Ocean. Honest truth – the next week or so is pretty flat and messy. Don’t rush to wax up just yet.
We start Wednesday, September 2nd, with nothing to ride – a tiny 3 ft swell from the WNW, weak 9-second period, and cross-onshore winds messing it up. Thursday and Friday are even smaller, 2 ft to 2 ft, and the energy is barely there (34 to 55 on the scale). Friday morning might look glassy, but it’s just too small to matter.
Saturday the 5th morning gives us a bit of hope – 3 ft from the WNW, period up to 9 seconds, and light cross-off winds keeping it clean. Energy hits 206 (moderate) and conditions are rated good. It’s small, but it’s the first real window. Afternoon gets hammered by 15 mph cross-shore winds. Sunday and Monday are onshore slop – 3 ft but windy and messy. Energy climbs to 363 and 423, but the quality’s poor.
The big one is Wednesday, September 16th morning. This is the session to aim for. A solid 5 ft swell from the WNW with a nice 12-second groundswell period. Combined energy is 629 (strong), and with a light cross-off breeze from the NNE, conditions are predicted to be very good. The swell direction (WNW) matches the break’s preferred W exposure. Clean, powerful, with proper lulls between sets. Best for experienced surfers – beginners will find it too big.
Thursday the 17th morning still has some juice – 4 ft from the NW, 11-second period, offshore wind from the ENE, and moderate energy (334). A good follow-up, but not the standout.
Water temp’s about average for the season at Lacanau Ocean – nothing unusual.
For the early days, it’s a slow grind. The Saturday the 5th morning is your best bet if you’re desperate. But the real gold is that Wednesday the 16th. Circle it, watch the forecasts, and be ready.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Thu morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 16 | W 14 | WNW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
168 | 86 | 53 | 36 | 33 | 52 | 67 | 53 | 54 | 75 | 121 | 302 | 497 | 256 | 183 | 85 | 170 | 361 | 494 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 8:12AM3.65m | 8:33PM3.60m | 8:55AM3.44m | 9:25PM3.31m | 9:55AM3.19m | 10:46PM3.02m | 11:33AM3.03m | 00:40AM2.94m | 1:19PM3.12m | 2:10AM3.11m | 2:36PM3.42m | 3:14AM3.40m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:07AM0.32m | 2:26PM0.42m | 2:51AM0.57m | 3:15PM0.67m | 3:43AM0.87m | 4:16PM0.93m | 4:49AM1.13m | 5:36PM1.10m | 6:14AM1.24m | 7:08PM1.05m | 7:42AM1.10m | 8:29PM0.79m | |||||||
— | 7:26 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | |
8:43 | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 28 | 24 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 16 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | W 14 | WNW 12 |
168 | 86 | 53 | 36 | 33 | 52 | 67 | 53 | 54 | 75 | 121 | 302 | 497 | 256 | — | 85 | 55 | 361 | 494 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | — | — | W 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 14 | — | NNE 4 | — | W 19 | W 16 | WNW 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 85 | 70 | — | 1 | — | 7 | 170 | 50 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 12 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 3 | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | — | — | NNW 2 | NW 5 | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 | W 4 | — | — | — |
— | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | 1 | 22 | — | — | — | — | 183 | 19 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 54 | 88 | 286 | 88 | 396 | 161 | 0 | 0 | 533 | 54 | 0 | 70 | 53 | 48 | 43 | 62 | 62 | 62 | 70 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gironde | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.











