Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 20 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 11PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 9s period, W swell with 741 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 22 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 9s period. 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 2.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.7m 4s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 26th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down the surf for Lacanau-Ocean. We’re looking at a rough patch ahead, with a lot of onshore wind and poor conditions. The first real reason to paddle out doesn’t show up until Saturday, August 22nd, and even then, it’s pretty ordinary. There’s a long gap of messy, wind-affected surf before that, and then a big lull with almost nothing. The best window looks like early September, but we’ve got to get through the junk first.
Water temp is about normal for this time of year, nothing special. The first session worth a look is Saturday, August 22nd, in the morning. Small 1.1m swell from the WNW, short period of 9 seconds, but with a light east offshore wind (6 mph) it’ll be clean. Swell energy is weak at 190, so it’s not a power session, but it’s rideable. Afternoon drops off fast, so get in early.
Sunday, the 23rd, is a dud—tiny 0.4m swell, virtually no energy (27). Offshore wind is there, but nothing to ride. Monday and Tuesday are similar, with tiny waves and poor conditions. Wednesday, the 26th, shows a bit more size (0.9m to 1.0m), but the wind is all over the place, and the short period (7 seconds) makes it messy. Thursday, the 27th, jumps to 2.0m, but it’s howling onshore from the west at 12-18 mph, creating poor surf. Energy hits 449, but it’s a washing machine. This is kite-surfing territory, not for paddling.
The weekend of the 29th and 30th of August stays marginal, with 1.5m to 1.8m swell but cross-on winds and a short period (6-9 seconds) keeping things choppy. Monday, the 31st of August, has a small window—clear skies, light south wind (6 mph), and a 1.5m swell from the WNW (8 seconds). It’s marginal, but might be okay if you’re keen.
Now, here’s the standout. Wednesday, September 2nd, by afternoon. The swell is 3.0m from the west at 9 seconds, with energy reading 1645—that’s proper strong. But this is too big for Lacanau-Ocean. The forecast says it’s too big for the break, and with a moderate cross-onshore wind (12 mph), only experts should even think about it. Not the best for most of us.
Thursday, September 3rd, morning is the real gem. The swell drops to 1.9m from the WNW (10 seconds), energy 681, and the wind is light northeast at 3 mph, almost glassy. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions,” and that’s what we’re after. Clean, glassy, solid size. That’s your window.
Friday, September 4th, morning is also worth a mention—glassy conditions (0 mph wind from the SE), 1.6m swell from the WNW (10 seconds), energy 463. It’s “good surf conditions,” but not quite as strong as Thursday.
So, bottom line: the first week is a fight with wind and small surf. The best bet is Thursday, September 3rd, morning, with that clean, offshore, 1.9m groundswell. September 2nd is too big, and the 4th is a solid backup. Get in there when you can.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Fri morning. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 16°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 31°C on Sun night, min 18°C on Sun morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the SE on Sun night, fresh winds from the SSW by Tue morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | SW 4 | SW 5 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
78 | 346 | 258 | 319 | 386 | 394 | 332 | 190 | 111 | 57 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 157 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | cross | off | off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross | on | on | glassy |
High Tide | 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 | 4:11PM3.44m | 4:32AM3.38m | ||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:38AM1.02m | 10:06PM0.80m | |||||||
— | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:54 | — | |
mm | 1 | — | — | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 30 | 31 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | N 4 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 8 | SW 5 | W 9 |
78 | 346 | 258 | 319 | 386 | — | 332 | 190 | 111 | 57 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 157 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | N 4 | NW 7 | — | W 13 | WNW 12 | SSW 4 |
10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 2 | — | 3 | 14 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 6 | — | — | — | — | WNW 10 | — | — | NNW 2 | NE 3 | NE 4 | — | ENE 3 | — | — | SE 4 | SW 4 | — | — |
55 | — | — | — | — | 394 | — | — | 1 | 2 | 5 | — | 2 | — | — | 14 | 6 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 151 | 54 | 116 | 116 | 116 | 185 | 70 | 0 | 111 | 0 | 88 | 309 | 205 | 255 | 279 | 352 | 479 | 676 | 0 |
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.











