
Surf Forecasts:
Le Petit Train surf forecast from 4 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 5AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 11PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 12s period, WNW swell with 628 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 8AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 15s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Le Petit Train in the next 16 days are 1.4m 12s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 11PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 4s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 06) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 11PM (Mon 7th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Le Petit Train over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s get this straight. Right now, through the whole 16-day window, there’s only one spot that’s even worth paddling out at, and that’s Le Petit Train. But I gotta be honest with you—it’s a tough stretch. The forecast has a big gap of marginal to poor conditions, so you’ll be waiting a while for anything decent.
Starting off on Saturday, September 5th, the morning actually looks like the best of a very ordinary bunch. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell from the WNW with a 9-second period, light cross-offshore breeze from the NE at 6 mph. The combined energy is moderate (197), so there’s a little push, but these are beginner-friendly waves. It’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a wave every minute, and crowds are possible here. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing wild.
That Saturday afternoon, the wind swings onshore and picks up to 12 mph, and the swell jumps to 4ft with a long 12-second period, but it gets lumpy and choppy real quick. Not worth it.
Sunday the 6th is a write-off—cloudy, cross-on wind, weak swell. Monday the 7th is tiny, with a 2ft swell and onshore wind, despite a very long 16-second period that’s way too much for this beach break. It’ll just close out.
From Tuesday the 8th all the way through to Saturday, September 19th, it’s a grim run. Every day is either cross-on or onshore, the swell bumps around 2ft to 4ft, but the wind ruins it. The combined energy numbers are all over the place, but even the moderate ones (like 371 on Tuesday morning) are paired with choppy, messy conditions. This is a classic beach setup, and with the wind howling, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
The only other glimmer is on Saturday, September 19th morning. The swell is tiny at 1ft from the WNW, but the wind is a clean cross-off from the ENE at 12 mph, making the surface glassy. The combined energy is weak (53), so it’s barely a ripple. For a beginner on a longboard, it might be a fun little session, but don’t expect any power.
Sunday, September 20th morning has the smallest swell of the whole run, 1ft, but with a gentle offshore breeze from the ESE at 9 mph. Clean, but so small you’ll be doing more sitting than riding.
So, the standout here is Saturday, September 5th morning. It’s the only window with a clean, surfable wave and light wind. Everything else is a battle with the wind or the swell just isn’t cooperating. If you’re a beginner and you’re patient, that’s your moment. For everyone else, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sat night, min 19°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon night, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | W 16 | W 14 | WNW 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
79 | 197 | 518 | 517 | 306 | 222 | 109 | 174 | 311 | 503 | 371 | 350 | 218 | 161 | 459 | 341 | 238 | 178 | 117 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 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 | 4:51AM1.13m | 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 | |||||||
— | 7:31 | — | — | 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 5 | W 14 | WNW 12 | W 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | — | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
79 | 197 | 518 | 517 | 306 | 222 | 109 | 39 | 311 | 503 | 371 | 350 | 218 | 161 | — | 341 | 238 | 178 | 117 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 4 | — | — | — | NNE 4 | — | W 18 | W 16 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | W 12 |
11 | — | — | — | 1 | — | 7 | 174 | 113 | — | — | — | 34 | 161 | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 459 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 2 | 0 | 79 | 3 | 95 | 153 | 153 | 94 | 94 | 147 | 22 | 161 | 22 | 70 | 147 | 56 | 70 | 153 | 153 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Gironde | |||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||
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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.










