The 8 best surf spots in Arcachon

You're coming to Arcachon soon and you don't know where to surf around? Then discover the 8 best surf spots near Arcachon!

With its pleasant climate all year round, the Gironde is the ideal destination for surfing or perfecting your holidays! Who has never dreamed of crossing the pine forest, accompanied by the song of the cigales, to finally meet face to the beautiful waves of the Atlantic Ocean? A wild beach with a loss of view, a board under your arm, and you have the paradise scenery that every surfer dreams of discovering. Fortunately, it is not a dream.

If you come to Gironde, you will have no trouble finding sensational surf spots in the vicinity of the beautiful city of Arcachon . To help you discover and spot them, we offer you the 8 best surf spots near Arcachon! You’ll only have to grab your board and stir to conquer the beautiful waves of the Aquitaine coast.

1. La Plage de la Salie

Situated south of Arcachon and the Pilat Dune , the surf spots of La Salie Nord and South are the closest and accessible. Taken by surf clubs in the region, the beaches of Salie offer optimal conditions almost all year round. The spots often walk and are so much appreciated by local surfers. With high-quality waves that sometimes reach 3 meters, it is certainly one of the best surf spots near Arcachon.

To access the spots of La Salie Nord and La Salie Sud, you will have to follow the D218 from Arcachon or La Teste-de-Buch to Biscarosse-Plage. Along the D218, which crosses the Landes de Gascogne, you will quickly see a sign indicating the La Salie Beach. On site, parking is waiting for you as well as restaurants, toilets and other amenities. In summer, the spot can be very crowded by surfers. If you are new, do not hesitate to consult local surfers to find out the best spots along the long beach and their dangers. A good atmosphere usually reigns in the spot of La Salie Nord or South.

2. The South Beach in Biscarosse-Plage

Located only 30 minutes’ drive from Arcachon, Biscarosse-Plage is home to some of the best surf spots in New Aquitaine and Landes! The South Beach offers great challenges to seasoned surfers. Enclaved between the dunes, the ocean and the military zone, this South Beach spot is the favorite of the premises. The typical Landese spot offers powerful and tubular waves by earth wind. The South Beach is thus considered a real spot of sand banks!

Thanks to its special sand banks, you will find high-quality waves at the South Beach, but hard to surf once the tide is descended. For its setting and challenges, it is considered one of the best surf spots near Arcachon. However, the spot is not recommended to beginners and novices because of the strong currents.

3. The North Beach in Biscarosse-Plage

Located in front of the urbanized dune and the esplanade, the Northern Beach spot is perfect for beginner or confirmed surfers. At a jump from the city centre, this beautiful and vast stretch of sand is watched during the summer. Thanks to the esplanade, it is easy to check the conditions of the day before taking off the waves. You will see many surfers observed the waves from the terrace of a restaurant, watching the best conditions before reaching the beach through the stairs.

Just like the South Beach, the waves are here powerful and tubular. This spot welcomes the entire WSL Junior Pro every year in May and the Kiwi Surf Festival in late July! In addition to its accessibility, it is easy to park in front of the Northern Beach spot. You will find free parking at the end of the avenue des Échassiers and places on the avenue des Sables.

4. The Green Truc in Cap Ferret

If Lacanau is the flagship destination in Gironde, there is a multitude of other beach breaks for all tastes in the region. Located north of Arcachon, Cap Ferret and Le Porge are good examples. In the first, the spot Le Truc Vert has become one of the best surf spots near Arcachon! This beautiful beach is totally enclaved in the forest of Cap Ferret. When we get to the spot, we're right in the middle of nature!

Because of its geographical peculiarity, the peninsula of Cap Ferret and its beaches are characterized by very unstable sand banks. Be alert and do not hesitate to check out local surfers to discover the best spots in Le Truc Vert. If you’re a beginner, don’t hesitate to contact you or be supervised by the surf school monitors installed on the beach. The waves oscillate here between 1 metre to 2 meters, and up to 3 meters when the conditions are optimal! To reach this spot from Arcachon, count at least 1 hour and a half drive along the Arcachon Basin. Once on the D106, you will have to reach the village of Petit Piquey and then take the Avenue du Truc Vert to the beach.

5. The Grand Crohot at Cap Ferret

The Grand Crohot beach is one of the first ocean beaches after passing over the village of Lège at the entrance of the Cap Ferret peninsula. Near Bordeaux, this is one of the most frequented in the region. Despite this affluence, it offers one of the best surf spots near Arcachon and Gironde. Located at the same distance as Le Truc Vert from Arcachon, you just have to go to the village of Lège and follow the signs indicating the Grand Crohot Beach to access this friendly surf spot. On site you will find a large parking, shops and facilities that make it an ideal landing point for surfers!

At the spot Le Grand Crohot, it is possible to find dream sand banks, with high-quality waves up to 2 to 3 meters. When the conditions are met, we find bayonets with dream peaks like this bench of broad right and flawless that makes the swell irreparably close. It should also be noted that if the spot is very crowded in summer, it is often deserted in winter. The seasoned surfers will then be able to have fun and attack the waves freely!

6. The Trencat

Located on the border between Gironde and Landes, between the Teste-de-Buche and Biscarosse-Plage, the Trencat spot is named after a forest house on the D218 road. This little accessible spot is in the heart of a beautiful pine forest. It can only satisfy surfers in search of freedom and wild nature! The spot is ideally on foot or by bike from the department. Once on site, you can only be caught by the beauty of the Trencat spot.

Little known and popular with local surfers, this feeling of freedom makes the Trencat one of the best surf spots near Arcachon. Attention, however, it is not recommended to beginners and novices. As the spot is not watched and the strong currents along this Landes coast, it is better to go there when you already have a good level of surfing. On site, waves and conditions are similar to what can be found further north at the Salie beach.

7. La Torchère au Cap Ferret

Located in the middle of the peninsula, the Torchère beach is a good alternative to the beaches of the Green Truc and Grand Crohot. It is indeed much less frequented than the other spots of Cap Ferret. For a quiet day, this is one of the best surf spots near Arcachon. In addition, the spot frequently works with pretty hollows and waves oscillating between 1 to 2 meters in series. The Torchère is not recommended to beginners and novice surfers. Indeed, the Torchère beach is not monitored even in the middle of the season.

To find it, you have to go to the intersection of the Truc Vert forest road and the avenue de Bordeaux. You can park along the tarmac road on the south side of the dune or a little further on the parking lot of the picnic area. You will then have to follow the path marked through the dune. Count about 5 to 10 minutes walk in the sand to reach the beach.

8. The Porge Ocean

Finally, located north of Cap Ferret, Le Porge Océan is a seaside town of Gironde. It is very appreciated by the inhabitants of Bordeaux. Less crowded than its northern neighbour, Lacanau, Le Porge is home to one of the best surf spots near Arcachon: the Gressier Beach. Virgin of all construction except for some shops behind the dune, it presents a pleasant and peaceful setting. Good quality waves fail. They will seduce beginners or seasoned surfers who will find good spots to train. To reach Le Porge Océan, you can take the A660 and the D5 towards the D107 which will lead you to Le Porge then to the beaches.