
Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 11s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with 245 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 9 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 1ft (0.3m), 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 Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.3m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 4s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Lacanau Ocean in the next 16 days are 1.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 2s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 09) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Sun 9th Aug) | 1ft (0.3m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Lacanau Ocean.
Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a write-off. We’re looking at a long stretch of tiny, weak swell and dodgy winds. The water is sitting at a warm 76°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s about the only thing going for it right now. For the first few days, we’ve got ankle-slappers around 0.7ft to 1ft with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. The combined swell energy is barely a whisper, hanging around 13 to 41. It’s not doing anything for us. Saturday morning the 8th is glassy, but there’s just no wave to ride. Sunday morning the 9th might look clean with a light cross-offshore breeze, but at 1ft, it’s a skim board session at best.
We’ll get a few pulses of slightly bigger swell around the 14th and 15th, with early morning glassy conditions, but the swell height is still only 2ft to 3ft. The energy picks up a bit, hitting 171 on the 14th morning, which is still weak-to-moderate. The wind stays clean on those mornings, but the waves are just too small and weak to get excited about.
Then, after a week of nothing, we finally get a proper window. Thursday the 20th morning is the first real standout. The swell jumps to 5ft from the NW with a period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy hits 223 (moderate). The wind is glassy, so it’s going to be clean. Lacanau Ocean is a consistent, exposed beach break, and with that kind of swell, it’s going to be fun for intermediate surfers. The swell direction is from the NW, which is right on the money for this spot.
But the absolute best of the entire forecast is Friday the 21st morning. We’re looking at 5ft of swell from the WNW, with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell, and the combined energy is a solid 527 (strong). The wind is light and cross-offshore from the NNE, making for clean, lined-up waves. This is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell is a little bigger, so it’s a bit more suited to competent surfers, but the quality should be there. The longer period will mean better shaped waves, and on a beach break, it might be a little more powerful than usual. Keep in mind, this is a long-range outlook, so it’s promising but not set in stone.
After that, the 22nd morning still has clean 3ft surf, but the energy drops off. The 23rd morning is clean again, but it’s back to tiny 1ft stuff.
So, for the next 16 days, the only real days to get excited about are Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st. The rest is a long, flat spell with a few mornings of clean, tiny waves that aren’t really worth the paddle.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 7mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 26°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Sat night, calm by Mon morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed afternoon, min 22°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 | W 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 10 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 7 | 24 | 39 | 77 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 39 | 28 | 54 | 17 | 22 | 50 | 61 | 85 | 62 | 245 | 125 | 92 | 68 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 1:18PM3.14m | 2:05AM3.17m | 2:37PM3.38m | 3:16AM3.41m | 3:40PM3.70m | 4:14AM3.67m | 4:33PM4.02m | 5:03AM3.89m | 5:20PM4.27m | 5:47AM4.03m | 6:03PM4.41m | 6:29AM4.08m | 6:44PM4.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:11PM0.99m | 7:47AM1.00m | 8:30PM0.77m | 8:58AM0.77m | 9:36PM0.46m | 9:56AM0.49m | 10:30PM0.16m | 10:46AM0.22m | 11:17PM-0.06m | 11:31AM0.03m | 00:01AM-0.17m | 12:13PM-0.06m | 00:42AM-0.16m | ||||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:21 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:15 | — | — | 9:13 | |
mm | — | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | W 9 | NW 4 | WNW 10 | W 6 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | W 6 | NNW 5 | NW 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 11 | NW 6 | W 10 | NW 6 |
6 | 7 | 13 | 39 | 1 | 42 | 41 | 42 | 39 | 28 | 3 | 10 | 15 | 50 | 61 | 85 | 62 | 245 | 46 | 92 | 61 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | NW 6 | WNW 11 | SW 3 | — | NNW 4 | W 7 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 4 | — | NW 8 | W 11 | NW 8 | NW 3 | W 13 | WNW 12 | — | W 10 | — | WNW 9 |
7 | 1 | 24 | 1 | — | 5 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 3 | — | 17 | 22 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 49 | — | 125 | — | 68 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 13 | W 9 | NNW 4 | — | W 7 | NW 4 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | 3 | 6 | 1 | — | 9 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 4 | — | 8 | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 5 | NE 2 | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | NW 4 | NW 4 | — | — | NW 6 | — |
— | 4 | 1 | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 39 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 438 | 396 | 0 | 0 | 285 | 11 | 0 | 211 | 0 | 54 | 286 | 186 | 160 | 286 | 151 | 134 | 211 | 70 | 0 | 151 | 27 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gironde | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
Latest Updates
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.











