7 days in the Landes’ best surf spots

For many people, surfing represents a genuine way of life, with its own codes, values, and must-visit surfing destinations. While the most popular spots are found in Hawaii, Australia, South Africa, and Brazil, France is not to be outdone. And if there is one region that stands out and attracts an ever-growing number of surfers, it is certainly Les Landes. With its endless beaches and immense waves, this region is unquestionably the emblem of surfing in France and a meeting place for all enthusiasts of the sport. We were lucky enough to go on a 7-day road trip through Les Landes in search of the best surfing spots. We made this trip in a van for greater freedom and fewer constraints. Follow us to discover our journey, which certainly left an impression on us!

A region with ideal conditions

Before beginning our journey to discover the most beautiful surfing spots, we felt it was important to highlight the qualities shared by all the beaches in this region. The Landes coastline is particularly well shaped, and its direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean guarantees powerful swells and high waves. Many of the large beaches are bordered by pine forests. Perfect for resting and enjoying a little shade during hot weather. These ideal conditions attracted renowned surfers in search of new destinations as early as the 1950s. The first surfing schools appeared, along with campsites and hostels intended for enthusiasts of the sport. Over the course of a few decades, surfing and its distinctive culture became firmly established in the region, and facilities related to the sport are plentiful. While many spots appealed to us, we wanted to introduce you to the following ones.

Days 1 and 2: Hossegor and Seignosse, the classics

We are starting with the cream of the crop. These two resorts are among the best known and most popular in the world. They offer stunning spots that will satisfy both beginners and experienced surfers looking for thrills.

Beginners can learn the basics at Hossegor’s South Beach or at Les Estagnots. This is where most of the surfing schools are located. You clearly will not be alone, but we find that rather reassuring when you are just starting out and need advice. The swell is fairly gentle and the waves remain manageable. For more experienced surfers, head to Culs-Nus, North Beach, or La Gravière. The waves there are plentiful and particularly impressive. They regularly reach 2 meters and sometimes even 5 meters in optimal conditions. There are many other spots, which we will summarize below, but these particularly appealed to us.

Proof that these two resorts stand out is that the men’s and women’s world championships take place in Hossegor every year: the Quicksilver Pro and the Roxy Pro. The entire region comes alive and welcomes enthusiasts from around the world.

Throughout the year, there is also a large number of accommodations for surfers, water sports shops, and clothing boutiques with a wonderful salty scent. The atmosphere is friendly and ideal for meeting people and sharing experiences.

For more details, here are the main spots at these two star resorts:

- Hossegor: North and South beaches, La Centrale, La Gravière, Point d’Or, Culs-Nus

- Seignosse: Les Estagnots, Les Bourdaines, Le Penon

Day 3: Capbreton, charming and lively

Capbreton is unquestionably focused on the sea. This resort has a lovely marina, a fishing port (the only one in Les Landes), a daily fish market, and numerous beaches where surfers can meet and relax.

The town has several spots, but Santocha and Le Prévent stand out when it comes to pure surfing. They are quite different, despite sharing the same lifeguard station. Le Prévent is ideal for families and beginners. The waves are fairly moderate, but there are plenty of them and they break properly. Santocha, on the other hand, offers a more dynamic surfing experience, with swells perfectly shaped by the surrounding natural features. Although it is possible to learn the basics at this spot, it is better suited to surfers with moderate to advanced skills. Santocha attracts not only surfers but also enthusiasts of many other board sports, such as kitesurfing. A little tip for more experienced surfers: La Piste beach benefits from a powerful swell that produces fast and more demanding tubes.

Capbreton’s welcoming beach bars are the perfect way to end the day in a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Day 4: Le Vieux-Boucau, lively all year round

North of Seignosse and Hossegor, Le Vieux-Boucau is much less crowded than the three resorts mentioned above, but it remains a pleasant and particularly cheerful spot. Rarely, it stays lively all year round, even in winter, when other resorts are attractive only in spring and summer.

Le Vieux-Boucau’s advantage is that it has great beach breaks, beaches where sandbanks cushion falls. This makes it an ideal beach for beginners or those who want to practice this sport safely. Le Vieux-Boucau has some excellent surfing schools where you can learn and improve. And to top it all off, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, whether you visit in summer or the middle of winter.

Day 5: Les Messanges, for peace and quiet

Les Messanges will delight lovers of wide-open spaces and freedom. Depending on the time of day and the season, you may feel completely alone in the world. Almost as if the beach belonged to you. This beach, like the resort itself, is the quietest in the area, with many surfers preferring to head to Le Vieux-Boucau or farther south toward Hossegor and its overflowing energy.

The beach is overlooked by a lovely dune and is home to a small surfing school highly appreciated by families, Messanges Surf School. The waves are not as high as those at Hossegor, for example, but they are just as enjoyable to surf and slightly safer. People do not come to Les Messanges to set new records, but to have fun in a carefree way without really pushing themselves.

Day 6: Mimizan, a breeding ground for champions

We continued farther north, with the sea on one side and immense pine forests on the other. The road took us to Mimizan, a town we had heard about and were eager to visit. With three beautiful beaches, Mimizan is an ideal spot for any surfer worth their salt. The resort is divided in two by the mouth of the Courant, and its 10 kilometers of beach stretch out on either side. North, South, and La Garluche beaches enthusiastically welcome surfers of all levels. These beaches are relatively free of external obstacles and directly exposed to the ocean. They have reassuring beach breaks, making them perfectly suited to beginners or surfers who simply want to have fun. The waves there are hollow and fast.

For the more adventurous, it is possible to move away from these supervised beaches and search for wilder, more demanding spots on your own.

Mimizan has seen many surfing champions grow up there, including Nicolas Capdeville and Vincent Duvignac, to name just two. That is enough to inspire young locals to take on the challenge!

Mimizan has 6 surfing schools for children and adults, beginners and advanced surfers.

Day 7: Biscarosse, world-renowned

We ended our stay in Les Landes in the charming town of Biscarosse. Located very close to the Arcachon Bay and the Dune du Pilat, Biscarosse is one of the largest towns in Les Landes. It attracts many visitors every year, and numerous surfers choose this spot for a wonderful active holiday.

Biscarosse has 4 kilometers of fine sandy beaches, enjoyable in both summer and winter. The central section is mainly intended for families or beginners who want to learn the basics of this sport safely. The wind is not too strong there, and the waves reach 1m or even 1m50. However, be careful: at high tide, these waves can grow and create a fairly difficult break to get through for beginners. South Beach, with its more dynamic swell, is ideal for experienced surfers seeking a good dose of adrenaline. The waves are livelier and more enveloping. Biscarosse regularly hosts major surfing competitions where the greatest champions take on the waves of Les Landes.

There are several surfing schools, all excellent. And to end your surfing session in style, the town has numerous restaurants, beach bars, and brasseries with a cool and relaxed atmosphere.

The best surfing spot?

We have introduced you to what we consider the best surfing spots in Les Landes. Some have a reputation that extends far beyond our borders, while others are quieter and wilder. It is therefore up to everyone to form their own opinion according to their expectations and preferences. Choose a safe spot if you are a beginner, and one with stronger swells if you want to ride wave after wave. And if you are lucky enough to be there for several days or weeks, we can only encourage you to try several of them. The region’s many campsites make it possible to travel freely on a moderate budget. Many have dedicated pitches for vans and other light vehicles, often connected to surf culture. Perfect for traveling without constraints or a set itinerary! If you do not want to change locations, several hostels and youth hostels offer all-inclusive stays, including surfing lessons. But once again, we can only encourage you to explore these beautiful Landes coastlines and their many surfing spots at your own pace and according to your mood. We made this journey from south to north, but there is nothing stopping you from doing it from north to south, starting in Biscarosse and heading to Hossegor.

Conclusion

Les Landes is a true paradise for surfers. The immense beaches, direct exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, and dynamic tides make this region particularly attractive to enthusiasts of the sport. The ideal climate, fairly windy and very sunny, only adds to the spectacle and encourages lively, fast waves. And what can we say about the special surf culture that has taken root throughout the region? The shops, beach bars, and hostels dedicated to surfers and the world of surfing have blended into the landscape and offer an exceptionally friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Everyone will find their place here, whether they are a beginner or more experienced. That is the spirit of surfing: sharing, passing on knowledge, friendliness, and positivity. And this spirit can certainly be found everywhere in Les Landes!