
Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 15 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 8PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 5s period, N swell with 34 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Lacanau Ocean this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Lacanau Ocean in the next 16 days are 0.8m 5s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 4s period and expected on Monday (Jul 20) at 5AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 5s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down this stretch of surf.
It’s a lean period, no doubt about it. The first real window to paddle out doesn’t open until Thursday, 23 July. For the first week and a half, from Wednesday 15 July through to Wednesday 22 July, it’s almost all flat, with small, weak waves and messy onshore winds. You’re better off doing something else.
The first glimmer of hope hits on the morning of Thursday, 23 July at Lacanau Ocean (Lacanau-Ocean). We’re looking at a small 2ft swell from the SW, with a clean cross-offshore breeze from the NE at 9 mph. The water is a very warm 77°F – that’s nearly 8°F warmer than usual, so it’s like a warm bath. The combined energy is weak at 44. It’s not going to be pumping, but it’s a chance to get a few clean, crumbly waves. The crowds are sometimes a factor here, so expect a few others.
Friday, 24 July morning is similar: a 3ft wave from the WNW, a light cross-off breeze from the SSE at 3 mph, and clean conditions. The energy is still low (40). It’s a better option than the afternoon, which gets blown out by onshore winds.
Saturday, 25 July brings a change in size, but not in quality. The morning shows a 4ft swell from the NW, with a moderate onshore wind from the WSW at 12 mph. The energy jumps to 181 (moderate), so there’s some power, but the wind is onshore and messy. The afternoon is similar with a 5ft swell from the NW and 16 mph onshore. This is too big for beginners, and for experts, the onshore wind makes it frustrating. With the beach setup and these strong sideshore winds, it’s honestly a better day for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
After that, it’s back to small stuff. Sunday 26 July through to Wednesday 30 July, we’re looking at weak, small waves and cross-onshore winds. The groundswell that shows up on the 21st and 22nd (0.7ft, 11-second period, from the W) is just too small to matter.
The Bottom Line: There’s no absolute standout session here. Your best bet is the morning of Thursday 23 July or Friday 24 July for a clean, small wave. The 25th has some size, but the wind kills it. It’s a quiet stretch, so keep your eyes on the forecasts, but right now, it’s slim pickings.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Mon afternoon, min 21°C on Sat morning). Winds increasing (calm on Sun morning, fresh winds from the NE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | WNW 6 | NW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | NW 4 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | N 4 | W 12 | W 11 | W 11 | W 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 17 | 16 | 27 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 19 | 14 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 8 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:19PM4.33m | 6:49AM4.00m | 7:06PM4.34m | 7:35AM3.92m | 7:52PM4.23m | 8:20AM3.77m | 8:37PM4.02m | 9:05AM3.57m | 9:23PM3.74m | 9:52AM3.36m | 10:12PM3.43m | 10:43AM3.15m | 11:08PM3.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:46AM0.10m | 00:18AM-0.13m | 12:33PM0.04m | 1:05AM-0.10m | 1:18PM0.09m | 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 | |||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:49 | — | — | 9:47 | — | — | 9:46 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:45 | — | — | 9:44 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 29 | 26 | 33 | 32 | 25 | 34 | 34 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 27 | 25 | 19 | 28 | 28 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 4 | WNW 6 | W 8 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | W 8 | WNW 9 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 12 | W 11 | NNW 5 | W 10 |
18 | 17 | 16 | 27 | 22 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 22 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 7 | W 7 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 6 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 | — | W 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 11 | W 10 |
1 | 1 | 15 | 14 | — | 3 | — | — | 12 | 5 | — | 2 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | — | NW 6 | W 10 | W 12 | W 9 | — | W 8 | — | — |
— | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 4 | WNW 4 | — | — | WNW 6 | NW 4 | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | — | — | WNW 5 | NW 4 | — | — | NNE 4 | NNE 4 | N 4 | NNE 5 | NNE 5 | NNE 4 | NNE 4 |
6 | 5 | — | — | 20 | 21 | 27 | 27 | — | — | 8 | 13 | — | — | 19 | 28 | 22 | 42 | 36 | 5 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 389 | 533 | 510 | 389 | 657 | 640 | 679 | 657 | 685 | 1013 | 713 | 88 | 405 | 711 | 32 | 32 | 227 | 88 | 88 | 211 | 88 |
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.










