Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, WNW swell with 314 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 8AM (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 (Aug 22) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s 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 1.3m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. 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 Saturday (Aug 22) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s happening at Lacanau Ocean over the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the first week and a half is a real struggle. We’ve got a whole lot of days with tiny, weak waves and messy winds. The good news is that around the end of the first week, there’s a little window that’s worth paddling out for. The water is sitting at a balmy 78°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – feels like a bath.
The standout of the whole forecast is the morning of Saturday, August 22nd. We’ve got clean, glassy conditions with a light breeze from the NNW, and a 3ft swell from the WNW. It’s not a monster, but with a period of 9 seconds, it’ll have a bit of shape. The combined swell energy is moderate (147). This is the best bet for a fun, clean session on the beach.
The rest of the first week is a no-go. Tuesday the 18th has tiny, short-period wind swell (2ft, 5 seconds) and a cross-onshore breeze that’s going to chop it up. The morning of Thursday the 20th sees a bit more size, with 4ft from the WNW and a period of 11 seconds, giving it some groundswell feel, but the cross-onshore wind will have it all messy. The combined energy is moderate (305), but the wind is just wrong.
There’s a long, dry spell after that Saturday morning. From Saturday afternoon all the way through to the end of August, it’s a mix of tiny surf, onshore winds, and poor conditions. The swell drops and the wind just won’t cooperate.
We start to see some life again on the morning of Tuesday, September 1st. That’s over a week away, so keep it on the radar. The morning is clean with a light offshore breeze from the SSE, and 4ft of WNW swell. The combined energy is moderate (149). It’s still just ordinary surf, but it’s a glimmer.
The real splash of hope comes later that same day. The afternoon of Tuesday, September 1st has a 5ft swell from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds, giving it strong energy (575). That’s a solid groundswell, but the wind is going to be a messy cross-onshore from the SW, so the quality will be rough. The morning of Wednesday, September 2nd is similar, with 5ft and a period of 11 seconds (496 energy), but it’s a touch smaller and the wind is a light cross-shore, which might clean it up a little. Still, with that size, it’s pushing into intermediate territory.
So, for the true standouts, it’s that glassy Saturday morning on the 22nd for the cleanest waves, and the bigger but messier swell on the 1st and 2nd of September for size. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun night, min 18°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 4 | WNW 8 | NW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 60 | 305 | 200 | 283 | 269 | 269 | 231 | 147 | 82 | 88 | 34 | 51 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 33 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross | on | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | off |
High Tide | 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 | 3:32PM3.18m | 3:57AM3.15m | |||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 8:50AM1.29m | 9:25PM1.08m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 9 | NW 8 | WNW 7 | W 9 | NW 5 | NW 6 | W 8 | W 8 |
15 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 60 | 305 | 200 | 283 | 269 | 269 | 231 | 147 | 24 | 88 | 34 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 5 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | — | WNW 7 | NW 4 | NW 11 | NW 7 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | W 9 | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 10 | NW 9 |
15 | — | 4 | 3 | 4 | 22 | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | 31 | 25 | — | 14 | 6 | 2 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | — | — | — | W 15 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 7 | W 10 | — | W 9 |
4 | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 2 | — | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 5 | NW 4 | — | NW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | NW 7 | — | — | NW 6 | NNW 5 |
— | 14 | 8 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 82 | — | — | 51 | — | — | 30 | 33 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 229 | 655 | 387 | 396 | 344 | 161 | 54 | 185 | 54 | 41 | 88 | 134 | 0 | 108 | 53 | 18 | 159 | 122 | 285 | 286 | 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.











