
Surf Forecasts:
Le Petit Train surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 7 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 2AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 10s period, W swell with 94 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 7 Aug, 8AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 6s 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 Friday (Aug 07) at 8AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 10s. 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 0.7m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 14) at 2AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 8AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 8AM (Fri 7th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 6s |
| Most Powerful | 2AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Le Petit Train over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s going on with Le Petit Train.
To be honest, mate, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re looking at a solid 16-day window, but the first week and a half is pretty flat and frustrating. The swell is tiny, the wind is messy, and the surf is mostly poor. We get a few glassy mornings, like the 7th and the 10th, with that 1ft to 2ft stuff, but it’s coming from the NW or WNW, which is not the optimum direction for this spot. The energy is weak, with values sitting around 39 to 69 (weak energy). It’s a beginner-friendly break, but even a beginner would struggle to get excited about waves that small and inconsistent.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Monday, 17th August. It’s not a classic, but it’s the best we’ve got. The morning shows a 5ft swell from the W, with a period of 7 seconds. That’s short-period, so it’ll be a bit lumpy, and the wind is cross-on from the NNW at 6 mph. The combined energy jumps to 225 (moderate wave energy), but it’s still labelled “marginal.” The swell is big enough that it’s pushing into the 5ft mark, so it’s getting a bit too much for total beginners, but it’s not a write-off for someone with a bit of time in the water.
The standout – and I’m using that term loosely – is the morning of Tuesday, 18th August. The swell is 7ft from the WNW, with a period of 8 seconds. The energy is 587 (strong wave energy), which is the highest we see in the whole 16-day window. The wind is onshore from the W at 6 mph, but it’s light. For a spot that’s exposed and inconsistent, this is the one time the size actually means something. But look, 7ft at a beach setup with a short period and onshore wind? It’s going to be a messy, powerful wall of water. This is for experts only. Crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have it to yourself, but the conditions are far from perfect.
After that, the swell drops off again. By the 19th, we’re back to 4ft and the energy is down to 175 (moderate), and the wind is still cross-on. The second week is a bit of a blur of small, choppy, and onshore slop. The 21st has a longer period swell of 11 seconds from the WNW, but the wind is howling from the NNW at 19 mph, making it a total mess.
So, the honest truth? This is a lean period. The best shot is the morning of Tuesday, 18th August, but only if you’re an expert and don’t mind a fight. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. For the rest of us, it’s a long wait.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Sat night. Warm (max 27°C on Sat night, min 20°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the SSW by Sat night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun night. Warm (max 24°C on Tue night, min 21°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||
Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 5 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 5 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||
45 | 32 | 29 | 23 | 13 | 8 | 24 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 17 | 39 | 53 | 61 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 10:58PM3.07m | 11:38AM2.99m | 00:23AM2.97m | 1:06PM3.02m | 1:54AM3.03m | 2:28PM3.22m | 3:10AM3.24m | 3:34PM3.53m | 4:09AM3.49m | 4:28PM3.84m | 4:59AM3.71m | 5:16PM4.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:13AM0.99m | 5:52PM1.02m | 6:33AM1.07m | 7:18PM0.96m | 7:54AM0.98m | 8:37PM0.74m | 9:03AM0.75m | 9:40PM0.44m | 10:00AM0.48m | 10:33PM0.16m | 10:49AM0.23m | 11:20PM-0.05m | |||||||
— | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
9:24 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:22 | — | — | 9:20 | — | — | 9:19 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | NW 6 | W 10 | NW 5 | NW 5 | W 9 | NW 3 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 4 | W 10 | W 9 |
17 | 32 | 16 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 5 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 27 | 17 | 4 | 53 | 61 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | W 10 | — | W 9 | W 9 | W 13 | WNW 11 | NNW 4 | W 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | W 7 | NW 4 | NW 4 | W 7 | W 10 | W 11 | WNW 7 | — |
9 | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 39 | 5 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | WSW 3 | NW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 7 | W 7 | — | W 13 | NW 8 | — | — |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 15 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | — | NW 6 | — | — | NW 5 | — | — | WNW 4 | — | — | NW 4 | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | — | NW 4 | NW 4 |
45 | — | 29 | — | — | 8 | — | — | 3 | — | — | 5 | — | — | 4 | 12 | — | 4 | 11 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 122 | 8 | 669 | 165 | 463 | 392 | 137 | 22 | 265 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 8 | 56 | 265 | 173 | 175 | 192 | 165 |
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.











