
Surf Forecasts:
Le Petit Train surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 5 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with 679 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 11AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 8s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Le Petit Train this week:
The surf forecast for Le Petit Train over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 11AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 8s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Le Petit Train in the next 16 days are 1.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 05) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 11AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2ft (0.6m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Le Petit Train over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, this is Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for our local patch. Let’s be honest right off the bat – this is a lean run. We’re looking at a full 16-day window, but there are big gaps with nothing worthwhile on the table. The first few days are a write-off unless you’re desperate for a paddle with no real reward.
The only break that’s even in the conversation is Le Petit Train. It’s an exposed beginner spot, which is important because it’s inconsistent and can get crowded sometimes. The water is sitting at a very unusual 75°, which is much warmer than normal for this time of year – that’s a nice little bonus if you’re in the water.
Okay, let’s walk through it. The first real glimmer of something comes on Saturday the 5th, in the morning. The swell is a tiny 4 ft from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NE. It’s clean, but the wave energy is only moderate (197). It’s surfable, but honestly, it’s very ordinary. You’ll be scratching for rides.
Saturday afternoon is a no-go, turning choppy and cross-on. Sunday the 6th morning is marginal, with a cross-on wind and a 4 ft swell. The energy picks up a bit (307), but the wind is just wrong. The rest of the first week, through Monday, Tuesday, and into Wednesday, is a total mess – strong onshore winds, chop, and poor conditions. Just forget it.
The next real chance, and the only true standout in this whole outlook, is Wednesday the 16th, in the morning. That’s over a week and a half away, so temper your expectations, but the models are hinting at something good. The swell is 4 ft from the WNW, the period is a solid 10 seconds, and the wind is a light cross-off from the NE, keeping it clean. The wave energy is strong (327). This is the best on offer. It’s small enough for the beginners it’s known for, but with enough push for a fun, clean wave. The water is still warm, and the wind is right. This is the session to aim for.
Then, a day later, Thursday the 17th morning looks even glassier. The swell drops slightly to 4 ft from the WNW, but the wind is dead calm with a glassy surface. The energy is still strong (270). It’ll be clean as a whistle. For a small-wave board, this is perfect.
After that, the swell fades into the end of the week. Saturday the 19th morning has a tiny 3 ft swell with a cross-off wind, but the energy is weak (96). It’s surfable but nothing to get excited about.
So, to wrap it up: don’t bother for the first week plus. The best bet is the morning of Wednesday the 16th, with Thursday the 17th morning as a close, glassy second. Set your alarm for that Wednesday. It’s not a bomb, but it’s the cleanest window we’ve got.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 32°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Tue night. Warm (max 20°C on Mon morning, min 15°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 16 | W 14 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 75 | 79 | 197 | 551 | 554 | 306 | 222 | 109 | 176 | 306 | 480 | 307 | 415 | 197 | 154 | 242 | 204 | 122 | 81 | 41 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:59AM3.10m | 10:43PM2.94m | 11:24AM2.94m | 00:25AM2.83m | 1:05PM2.99m | 2:00AM2.96m | 2:27PM3.25m | 3:08AM3.22m | 3:28PM3.58m | 4:00AM3.50m | 4:16PM3.88m | 4:44AM3.72m | 4:59PM4.09m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:16PM0.94m | 4:51AM1.13m | 5:42PM1.08m | 6:22AM1.21m | 7:19PM1.01m | 7:51AM1.06m | 8:37PM0.74m | 8:58AM0.77m | 9:34PM0.42m | 9:49AM0.47m | 10:21PM0.15m | 10:33AM0.21m | 11:02PM-0.04m | ||||||||
7:30 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 29 | 32 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 |
Feels °C | 23 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | W 14 | W 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 9 |
53 | 75 | 79 | 197 | 551 | 554 | 306 | 222 | 109 | 40 | 306 | 480 | 307 | 415 | 197 | 154 | 242 | 204 | 122 | 81 | 41 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 4 | — | W 19 | W 16 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | WNW 12 | W 9 | — | — | W 8 | W 8 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 | 176 | 106 | — | — | — | — | 27 | 14 | — | — | 4 | 18 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | 20 | — | — | — | — | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 192 | 2 | 0 | 102 | 0 | 16 | 153 | 153 | 94 | 147 | 94 | 102 | 102 | 2 | 56 | 184 | 0 | 104 | 153 | 155 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gironde | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Le Petit Train Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Le Petit Train provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Le Petit Train can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Le Petit Train 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 (Le Petit Train) 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 Le Petit Train 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.
Le Petit Train is 8 km (5 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.










