Surf Forecasts:
Les Dunes surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 8PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with 248 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Les Dunes this week:
The surf forecast for Les Dunes over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Les Dunes in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 8PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 5s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 11PM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 8PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Les Dunes over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let's have a look at what's on the menu for Les Dunes over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with ya, it's a pretty quiet start. The swell energy is really weak, mostly sitting under 100 (20) for the first week or so, and the wind is just not playing ball. We're looking at a lot of onshore and cross-onshore breezes, chopping up what little bump there is. The first real chance of anything decent doesn't show up until the very end of the outlook, but there's a big catch.
Les Dunes is a beginner-friendly spot, and for most of this stretch, the surf is tiny and messy. Early on, say from August 18th through the 22nd, you've got waves around 1.0 ft to 3.0 ft, but the wind is mostly cross-on from the west, making for chop. Not worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 23rd morning has a clean offshore from the NE, but only 1.3 ft on tap. It's glassy, but there's just no push.
The pattern of small, choppy surf continues right through to the end of August. There's a little more energy around the 30th and 31st, with swell heights creeping up to 3.3 ft and combined energy reaching 144, but the wind is still onshore or cross-on, so conditions will be lumpy.
Now, here's the real story. We've got a serious pulse of swell arriving on the 1st of September. The combined swell energy jumps massively to 668 on Tuesday morning, then to a whopping 1721 on Tuesday afternoon. This is a strong, powerful swell from the west (W), with wave heights predicted at 6.2 ft and 6.9 ft. That is too big for this break. The notes say it's too big, and the same goes for Wednesday morning with 6.2 ft swell and energy at 1371. This kind of size at Les Dunes is only suited for experienced surfers, and even then, the wind is cross-onshore, making it a messy and powerful beast. It's more of a spectacle than a session for most of us. For a total beginner, this is well over the 5 ft mark and dangerous. The water temp is about 70°, which is pretty average for the time of year here.
So, bottom line: the first two weeks are a write-off for any quality surfing. The only real action is that big, powerful swell at the start of September, but it's too big and blown out for Les Dunes. Not the best outlook, but that's how it goes sometimes. Hang in there.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun afternoon, min 14°C on Sun morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WSW 4 | W 6 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 4 | NW 6 | W 8 | NW 4 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 73 | 64 | 168 | 139 | 141 | 147 | 132 | 99 | 86 | 54 | 24 | 13 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | on | on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | off | off | cross-off | off | off | cross | cross-off |
High Tide | 8:47AM3.69m | 9:03PM3.61m | 9:19AM3.43m | 9:39PM3.27m | 10:00AM3.17m | 10:32PM2.96m | 11:17AM2.94m | 00:57AM2.80m | 1:45PM2.94m | 2:34AM2.91m | 2:58PM3.13m | 3:30AM3.12m | 3:46PM3.39m | 4:09AM3.37m | |||||||
Low Tide | 3:11PM0.62m | 3:34AM0.82m | 3:57PM0.97m | 4:20AM1.17m | 4:50PM1.29m | 5:17AM1.46m | 5:57PM1.52m | 6:29AM1.61m | 7:17PM1.56m | 7:49AM1.56m | 8:32PM1.40m | 8:55AM1.33m | 9:29PM1.12m | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 21 |
Feels °C | 20 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 7 | W 8 | NW 5 | W 8 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | W 9 | W 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | NW 4 | NW 6 | W 8 | NW 4 |
9 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 47 | 64 | 168 | 56 | 141 | 147 | — | 99 | 86 | 54 | 24 | 13 | 20 | 8 | 6 | 5 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 9 | — | W 8 | WNW 10 | W 8 | — | W 9 | W 9 | — | — | — | NW 8 | — | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 8 |
11 | 2 | — | 10 | 10 | 1 | — | 16 | 58 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 8 | — | W 11 | NW 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 |
— | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 4 | WNW 4 | — | WSW 4 | W 6 | WNW 5 | — | WNW 9 | — | — | WNW 9 | — | — | — | NNE 3 | NNW 3 | NE 3 | NE 3 | NW 4 | NNE 3 |
— | 7 | 10 | — | 15 | 73 | 30 | — | 139 | — | — | 132 | — | — | — | 3 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 17 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 226 | 711 | 226 | 237 | 173 | 22 | 22 | 353 | 22 | 22 | 68 | 9 | 22 | 173 | 3 | 197 | 331 | 297 | 388 | 388 | 151 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Vendee | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Les Dunes Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Les Dunes provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Les Dunes can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Les Dunes 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 (Les Dunes) 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 Les Dunes 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.
Les Dunes is 8 km (5 miles) from Les Sables-d'Olonne. If you plan a holiday in Vendee, look for hotels and other accommodation in Les Sables-d'Olonne. Les Sables-d'Olonne has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











