Surf Forecasts:
Pontaillac surf forecast from 17 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 5PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, WNW swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 5AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 11s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Pontaillac this week:
The surf forecast for Pontaillac over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 20) at 5AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 3s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Pontaillac in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 3s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 2AM.
| Wave Type | Time (CEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 5AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Pontaillac over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Pontaillac has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – it’s a tough stretch. The first week and a half is looking grim, with hardly anything worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, the winds are messy, and we’re just waiting for things to turn around. The water is sitting at a very warm 75°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s pretty notable, a real anomaly.
The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t arrive until Thursday the 27th in the morning. We’ve got a clean 4ft swell rolling in from the west with a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is moderate at 173. It’s surfable, but let’s not get too excited – the ratings say it’s just ordinary. Friday the 28th morning sees the swell building to 5ft from the west, with a light cross-onshore wind. The energy jumps to a strong 372, but the conditions are marginal. This is pushing into beginner territory, so the bigger crew might get something out of it, but it’s not firing.
Now, the standout – and I mean the *only* real standout of this entire forecast – is Sunday morning, the 30th of August. This is the one. We’ve got a clean 7ft west-northwest swell with a light cross-offshore breeze. The combined energy is a powerful 1570, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. At 7ft, this is definitely for the more advanced among us. The swell period is 10 seconds, which is decent. The wind is light and clean, so expect some proper, well-shaped waves. The downside is that crowds are likely here at Pontaillac, so get out there early if you can. This is your window.
After that, it gets messy again. The end of the month and into September looks choppy and strong-winded, with a lot of onshore and cross-shore junk. The swell stays solid, but it’s blown out. Not worth the paddle.
So, to sum it up: grit your teeth through a long, flat and funky first week, mark your calendar for the morning of Sunday, 30th August. That’s your best bet by a mile. The rest is for the kites.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat afternoon, min 17°C on Sat morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | WNW 7 | NW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 4 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 41 | 51 | 25 | 21 | 39 | 13 | 5 | 10 | 37 | 121 | 135 | 128 | 135 | 226 | 154 | 32 | 80 | 35 | 44 | 14 | 14 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross | off | off | off | off |
High Tide | 8:26AM3.86m | 8:42PM3.87m | 9:00AM3.60m | 9:17PM3.52m | 9:35AM3.33m | 9:59PM3.17m | 10:23AM3.08m | 11:08PM2.89m | 11:55AM2.89m | 1:03AM2.77m | 1:42PM2.91m | 2:29AM2.88m | 2:53PM3.09m | 3:25AM3.09m | |||||||
Low Tide | 2:20PM0.30m | 2:43AM0.47m | 3:01PM0.62m | 3:24AM0.82m | 3:47PM0.96m | 4:10AM1.17m | 4:40PM1.28m | 5:07AM1.46m | 5:49PM1.51m | 6:23AM1.61m | 7:14PM1.54m | 7:46AM1.55m | 8:30PM1.38m | ||||||||
 |  |  | | | | | |  | |  | | | | | | |  | | |  | |
 | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — |
 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 22 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 21 | 22 |
Feels °C | 22 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 6 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 4 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | — | W 12 | W 9 | W 10 | W 8 | WNW 9 | NW 6 | NW 6 |
| kJ | 41 | 51 | 4 | 21 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 10 | 37 | 121 | 135 | 128 | 135 | — | 3 | 14 | 31 | 35 | 44 | 9 | 8 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | W 10 | WNW 8 | — | NW 6 | W 8 | W 11 | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | W 12 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 4 | W 9 | W 9 | WSW 3 |
| kJ | — | — | 2 | 14 | — | 2 | 5 | 2 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | 13 | 17 | 5 | 25 | 14 | 2 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 15 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | — | — | — | — | W 9 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | 14 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NW 5 | — | WNW 8 | NW 4 | — | NW 5 | NW 3 | — | — | NW 3 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | 25 | — | 39 | 7 | — | 8 | 4 | — | — | 5 | — | 226 | 154 | 32 | 80 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 100 | 277 | 65 | 266 | 605 | 370 | 293 | 401 | 87 | 7 | 255 | 0 | 87 | 255 | 142 | 14 | 100 | 33 | 81 | 332 | 38 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Charente Maritime | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in France | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Pontaillac Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Pontaillac provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Pontaillac can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Pontaillac 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 (Pontaillac) 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 Pontaillac 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.
Pontaillac is 2 km (1 miles) from Royan. If you plan a holiday in Charente Maritime, look for hotels and other accommodation in Royan. Royan has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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