
Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 22 Jul, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 6s period, NNW swell with 107 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 23 Jul, 2AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 6s period with NW 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 (Jul 23) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 10s. 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 6s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 22) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 2AM (Thu 23rd Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Wed 22nd Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Hey, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna be straight with you – Lacanau Ocean is usually a consistent, reliable spot, but over the next 16 days we’ve got a long, flat, blown-out mess. From 18 July right through to 2 August, there’s barely a session worth paddling out for. The first week is all tiny windswell – 0.7ft to 3ft, with short periods between 4 and 8 seconds, and mostly cross-shore or onshore winds. The combined energy barely cracks 100 (weak) – you’re looking at 9, 8, 24 – nothing to get excited about. Even the clean mornings, like Sunday 19 July with 2ft and a light cross-off breeze, are just too small to do anything.
Then around 26 July a bit more swell arrives – 4ft to 5ft from the NW – but it’s hammered by strong onshore winds. On 27 July the energy climbs to 196 (moderate) and then 251, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Not fun. The best of a bad lot might be the morning of 29 July – 4ft at 11 seconds from the WNW, with light cross-shore wind and a combined energy of 346 (moderate). But even that’s marginal, with questionable tide conditions. The next morning, 30 July, has 3ft at 10 seconds with clean cross-off wind, but it’s still very ordinary. And 1 August morning offers 3ft from the NW at 6 seconds – clean, but weak. Nothing here is going to get your heart pumping. For a break that’s usually consistent, this is a long dry spell. But forecasts can change, so don’t give up hope entirely. Stay tuned, Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, fresh winds from the N by Mon afternoon). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon night, min 18°C on Tue morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the NE by Wed morning). | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | ||||||||||||||
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) | W 8 | NW 4 | W 8 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | N 5 | WNW 8 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | WNW 11 | N 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
12 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 61 | 50 | 52 | 12 | 34 | 20 | 14 | 42 | 72 | 23 | 51 | 31 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:20AM3.77m | 8:37PM4.02m | 9:05AM3.57m | 9:23PM3.74m | 9:52AM3.36m | 10:12PM3.43m | 10:43AM3.15m | 11:08PM3.14m | 11:43AM2.99m | 00:15AM2.93m | 12:52PM2.91m | 1:29AM2.85m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:50AM0.03m | 2:03PM0.23m | 2:34AM0.25m | 2:48PM0.44m | 3:19AM0.52m | 3:35PM0.70m | 4:05AM0.80m | 4:25PM0.97m | 4:56AM1.07m | 5:23PM1.19m | 5:54AM1.27m | 6:31PM1.32m | |||||||
— | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | — | — | 9:43 | — | — | 9:42 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 22 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 27 | 26 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | NW 4 | W 8 | WNW 9 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | WNW 8 | W 13 | NW 8 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | WNW 10 | NW 6 | NNW 5 | W 9 | NNW 5 |
12 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 17 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 72 | 23 | 6 | 31 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | — | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 12 | W 8 | W 8 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | W 10 | W 9 | — | W 9 |
— | 5 | — | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 10 | 10 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | — | NW 3 | NNW 4 | — | N 5 | NNE 5 | N 6 | N 6 | N 5 | N 6 | N 5 | ENE 2 | E 3 | NNW 4 | — | NE 3 | NNW 6 | — |
7 | — | 3 | 22 | — | 15 | 42 | 61 | 50 | 52 | 49 | 34 | 1 | 1 | 42 | — | 3 | 51 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 685 | 751 | 1037 | 685 | 438 | 512 | 88 | 53 | 211 | 88 | 88 | 211 | 54 | 88 | 286 | 0 | 143 | 286 | 88 |
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.










