
Surf Forecasts:
Le Petit Train surf forecast from 22 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, WNW swell with 264 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 28 Jul, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period with NW 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 Tuesday (Jul 28) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Le Petit Train in the next 16 days are 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 5AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 8AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Tue 28th Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 5AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Le Petit Train over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at the offering for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, the outlook is a tough one. We've got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it's looking like a real patience tester, with a long dry spell to start. The first recommendation doesn't pop up until the morning of the 28th of July. Before that, it's a whole lot of "poor surf conditions" with messy winds and minimal swell. The week leading up to that is a write-off, so don't even bother checking the cam. The wait is almost a week for anything even worth a paddle.
The first sign of life hits on the morning of Tuesday, the 28th of July. Le Petit Train just about comes to life. We're looking at a tiny 3ft swell from the WNW, but the real story here is the glassy conditions. The wind, a light SSE breeze, is dead calm, making it glassy. The water temps are about average for this time of year. The combined swell energy is a weak 161, so it's not going to be powerful, but those clean, smooth conditions make it surfable. It's a small, crumbly wave for the beginner crew, which is perfect for this spot, but don't expect any barrels. Just a little fun on the longboard.
The wait continues for another week. The next real chance comes on the morning of the 5th of August. Another glassy morning, with a 2ft swell from the west. The glassy conditions are a major positive, making for a clean surface. The combined energy is a weak 69, so again, it's not big. This is a similar pattern – small, clean, and friendly for a beginner. It's a bit of a pattern here, with the wind going from glassy in the morning to cross-onshore in the afternoon, so you have to be an early bird.
There's a little flicker on the 6th of August. The morning sees a 2ft WNW swell, but with a clean 11-second period. That's a bit more energy in the water, but the wind is cross-on, so it's not the clean bet. The combined energy is a moderate 122, but the wind will make it a mess. The following morning on the 7th of August, we get another glassy session with a 2ft W swell, but again, it's a small and ordinary day.
So, the standout in this whole bleak outlook is the glassy mornings. The 28th of July and the 5th of August mornings are the best on offer, purely because of the clean, smooth surface. The swell is weak, but when it's that clean, a tiny wave is better than a blown-out one.
That's the story for this stretch. It's a tough one, but that's the coast sometimes. Stay patient.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 30°C on Thu night, min 21°C on Thu morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Thu afternoon, light winds from the E by Fri morning). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Mon morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | W 9 | NW 5 | WNW 4 | WSW 6 | WSW 6 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
30 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 115 | 108 | 243 | 139 | 107 | 73 | 184 | 192 | 211 | 161 | 134 | 75 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | on |
High Tide | 00:02AM2.81m | 12:39PM2.78m | 1:17AM2.71m | 1:52PM2.80m | 2:30AM2.75m | 2:56PM2.91m | 3:28AM2.87m | 3:47PM3.08m | 4:13AM3.03m | 4:29PM3.26m | 4:51AM3.18m | 5:05PM3.45m | |||||||
Low Tide | 6:03AM1.23m | 6:41PM1.27m | 7:11AM1.31m | 7:53PM1.26m | 8:18AM1.26m | 8:56PM1.14m | 9:15AM1.13m | 9:46PM0.97m | 10:01AM0.95m | 10:29PM0.78m | 10:41AM0.76m | 11:08PM0.60m | |||||||
— | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
9:42 | — | — | 9:40 | — | — | 9:39 | — | — | 9:38 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:37 | — | — | 9:36 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 24 |
Feels °C | 24 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | W 9 | NNW 5 | NW 5 | N 4 | — | NW 5 | WSW 6 | — | SW 5 | — | WNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 9 |
30 | 17 | 6 | 22 | 4 | 1 | — | 13 | 108 | — | 6 | — | 73 | 184 | 192 | 211 | 161 | 134 | 75 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | — | W 9 | N 4 | W 9 | — | W 12 | NW 5 | — | — | — | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
7 | 7 | — | 6 | 3 | 6 | — | 3 | 13 | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 5 | NE 3 | — | NW 5 | WNW 4 | WSW 6 | — | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 |
— | — | 20 | 1 | — | 7 | 32 | 115 | — | 243 | 139 | 107 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 24 | 165 | 684 | 56 | 165 | 1065 | 64 | 153 | 696 | 192 | 227 | 483 | 184 | 70 | 184 | 22 | 0 | 184 | 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.










