
Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 2AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 13s period, W swell with 673 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 14s. 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 1.4m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, it's Rusty. Let's get down to business for the Lacanau Ocean stretch. The water is feeling properly warm, sitting at 74°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – a real treat for the skin.
The first decent window kicks off Saturday morning, 5th September. We're looking at a clean 3ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period, and a light NE breeze keeping it cross-off. The combined energy is moderate (269), so there's some push. It's a solid, fun-sized wave for the intermediate crew. This is honestly the best on offer for the whole stretch – consistent, clean, and the wind is right. Crowds are possible, so get in early.
Saturday afternoon gets a bit messy. The swell picks up to 4ft and the period stretches out to a nice 13 seconds (groundswell), but the wind swings N and gets stronger, pushing it cross-shore and choppy. The energy jumps up a lot (587), but the conditions kill it. Leave it be.
Sunday morning, 6th September, is another good shout. The swell drops back to 4ft from the WNW, still with a decent 11-second period, and a SE cross-off breeze keeps it clean. The energy is moderate (319). It's a smaller, cleaner repeat of Saturday morning. Sunday afternoon goes onshore and dies.
After that, we hit a rough patch. For the next 10 days, from Monday the 7th right through to Tuesday the 15th, it's mostly poor. The swell is all over the place, and the wind is never your friend. We get a few mornings with tiny, clean waves but they are too small to get excited about. The 13th of September has a glassy morning, but the swell is only 3ft – it's a tease.
There's a little flicker of hope on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th with small clean swells in the morning, but the energy is low and the waves are ordinary. From the 15th onwards, the swell completely drops out, with heights under 2ft. It's a long, flat finish.
So, the call is simple: Saturday morning, 5th September, is your standout. Don't sleep on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun morning. Warm (max 28°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 15 | W 14 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
161 | 587 | 501 | 319 | 183 | 109 | 167 | 289 | 555 | 358 | 343 | 166 | 248 | 335 | 256 | 176 | 125 | 73 | 39 | 194 | 193 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | off | cross-off | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 11:33AM3.03m | 00:40AM2.94m | 1:19PM3.12m | 2:10AM3.11m | 2:36PM3.42m | 3:14AM3.40m | 3:33PM3.77m | 4:05AM3.69m | 4:21PM4.07m | 4:48AM3.92m | 5:03PM4.28m | 5:27AM4.06m | 5:41PM4.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:36PM1.10m | 6:14AM1.24m | 7:08PM1.05m | 7:42AM1.10m | 8:29PM0.79m | 8:52AM0.81m | 9:29PM0.46m | 9:45AM0.48m | 10:17PM0.16m | 10:30AM0.20m | 10:59PM-0.05m | 11:11AM0.01m | 11:37PM-0.14m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:23 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 6 | W 14 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
161 | 587 | 501 | 319 | 183 | 109 | 52 | 289 | 555 | 358 | 343 | 166 | 248 | 335 | 256 | 176 | 125 | 73 | 39 | 194 | 193 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 14 | — | NNW 4 | — | — | W 18 | W 15 | W 9 | — | — | — | WNW 12 | — | W 9 | — | — | W 13 | W 12 | WNW 12 | W 8 | — |
108 | — | 7 | — | — | 6 | 167 | 99 | — | — | — | 59 | — | 25 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 26 | 1 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 2 | — | WSW 2 | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 1 | — | 1 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 185 | 185 | 62 | 116 | 161 | 27 | 70 | 54 | 88 | 161 | 148 | 102 | 211 | 136 | 178 | 161 | 134 |
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.










