Surf Forecasts:
Lacanau Ocean surf forecast from 15 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 10s period, NW swell with 341 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s 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 16) at 2AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s 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 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 2AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Lacanau Ocean over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’m gonna be straight with you—this 16-day window for Lacanau Ocean is a tough one. We’ve got a long, dry spell of poor surf conditions stretching from now, Saturday the 15th, all the way through to Wednesday the 20th. That’s nearly a full week of small, weak, choppy waves with energy barely scraping into the double digits—most days you’re looking at combined energy values between 21 and 189, and that’s not gonna get anyone excited. Winds are mostly cross-onshore or cross, and the swell is tiny, often under 3ft. It’s a proper flat patch.
Then, on Thursday the 21st, we finally get a window. Thursday morning at Lacanau Ocean is the standout. Swell comes in at 5ft from the northwest with a 9-second period, and the wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the north-northeast at 6 mph, keeping it clean. Combined energy jumps to 328—moderate wave energy—and the forecast says expect good surf conditions. This is the best of the whole run. It’s an exposed beach, so that WNW optimum swell direction from the guidance is a good match. But note: the afternoon on the same day turns choppy as the wind swings north-northwest and picks up, so hit the early session.
After that, we drop back into poor conditions through the 22nd to the 25th, with tiny swell and mostly cross-onshore winds. The 26th shows a bit more energy—597 combined—but it’s still marginal with light cross-onshore wind, not quite clean enough.
Then, Thursday the 27th morning is another promising call. Glassy conditions—zero wind from the south-southeast—with 5ft swell from the west at 9 seconds. Combined energy of 388. Clean waves, decent size, but remember that 5ft is at the edge of beginner-friendly. It’s a solid option for intermediates and up.
Finally, Sunday the 30th morning offers one last highlight: 5ft from the west, 10-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the north-northeast, and combined energy of 408. Clean again. This one’s in the second week, so treat it as promising but less certain.
Water temperature is about average for this time of year—no big anomaly to report, so it’s comfortable.
If you’re after kite surfing, there are days with stronger winds and choppy conditions (like the 20th afternoon) that might be more your scene, but for paddle surfing, focus on Thursday 21st morning, Thursday 27th morning, and Sunday 30th morning. Everything else, leave it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 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) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | NW 7 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
137 | 105 | 105 | 100 | 88 | 68 | 28 | 49 | 34 | 28 | 25 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 40 | 103 | 88 | 166 | 305 | 322 | 82 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 7:24PM4.27m | 7:45AM3.89m | 8:01PM4.02m | 8:21AM3.68m | 8:38PM3.71m | 8:57AM3.44m | 9:16PM3.36m | 9:36AM3.18m | 10:01PM3.03m | 10:27AM2.93m | 11:09PM2.75m | 11:51AM2.76m | 00:51AM2.64m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:54PM-0.03m | 1:21AM-0.02m | 1:34PM0.11m | 1:59AM0.21m | 2:14PM0.35m | 2:37AM0.50m | 2:55PM0.64m | 3:17AM0.83m | 3:40PM0.96m | 4:03AM1.15m | 4:33PM1.25m | 4:59AM1.41m | 5:42PM1.46m | ||||||||
7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
Feels °C | 25 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | W 10 | NW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 5 | W 8 | WNW 10 | NW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | — | WNW 10 |
137 | 105 | 105 | 100 | 88 | 68 | 21 | 49 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 39 | 88 | 166 | 305 | — | 64 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | NW 7 | W 8 | W 11 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | — | WNW 10 | W 9 | — | W 9 |
— | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 15 | 103 | — | 31 | 2 | — | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | — | NW 5 | — | NW 6 | NNW 4 | — | NW 5 | NNW 5 | — | NW 6 | NW 5 | — | NW 10 | NW 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 28 | — | 34 | — | 25 | 16 | — | 16 | 40 | — | 51 | 55 | — | 322 | 82 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 161 | 0 | 96 | 211 | 186 | 169 | 211 | 143 | 212 | 753 | 88 | 415 | 458 | 172 | 143 | 211 | 111 | 0 | 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.











