A guide to surfing in Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse gets good waves all year round and it’s a great spot if you’re looking for a summer surf camp. In July and August the town is bustling with surfers who flock here from all over Europe for the huge sandy beach, great waves and party atmosphere.
SURF SEASON | SURF FORECAST | SPOT GUIDE | ACCOMMODATION | GALLERY
Biscarrosse is a typical south-west France beach-break. A huge stretch of west-facing golden sand backed by pine forest located just south of Arcachon. It’s the ideal setting for a surf holiday, so it’s no surprise then that so many surf camps and yoga retreats have set up here.
The waves can be big and burly and the currents can be real rippers, but although the wave does barrel when the conditions are right, it’s not as consistently hollow as it is further south in places like Hossegor.
The town’s not the prettiest along this stretch of coastline. It’s a modern purpose built beach resort with little in the way of character, but there’s a fun atmosphere in summer and some decent bars and restaurants. Le Bleu Banane is a great place to eat if you fancy blowing the budget for a night.
Biscarrosse Plage might not be up to much, but it’s right on the beach and don’t need to go very far from the centre until you’re in amongst the pine trees. This coastal pine forest, the largest in Europe, is criss-crossed with bike tracks and walking trails. A few kilometres behind the beach, Biscarrosse’s freshwater lakes offer a whole host of watersports.
Watch this: Winter Pipe Surf Session in Biscarrosse
The Best Time of Year to go Surfing in Biscarrosse
For beginner and intermediate surfers the best time of year to surf Biscarrosse is between June and September. The swell tends to be smaller, there’s often an offshore wind, sunny weather and the water’s at least 20 degrees. Be aware though, in July and August the beach is packed with tourists and the waves are just as crowded. On summer days when the waves are clean, the peaks can get super competitive. If that’s the case it’s best to opt for an early morning or late evening session.
When the summer season comes to an end and the tourists head home, the first winter swells appear, bringing with them bigger and more powerful waves. Until the end of September you can still surf in boardies and a 2 mm rash vest. In October, you’ll be more comfortable in a 3:2 and you won’t need a 4:3 until December. With the cold water and more powerful waves, you need a good level of fitness to paddle out safely. Always err on the side of caution and stay within your limits. Winter surfing in south-west France puts you through your paces.
Biscarrosse Surf Forecast
Surf report and surfing conditions for the next 3 days in Biscarrosse with swell components including wave height, wave direction and wave period, wind direction and weather forecast.
Biscarosse surf forecast courtesy of surf-forecast.com.
Biscarosse Plage Surf Spot Guide
1. Biscarrosse Plage
Spot type: Beach Offshore wind: Easterly. Bottom type: Sand. Best tide: Mid tide.
Wave size: 0.5 to 3 m. Swell direction: West, North/ West Lat Long: 44.446366, -1.259556.
Surfer carves up a wave at Biscarrosse Plage | © Flickr – Antoine Thibaud
Biscarrosse Beach is well known in France for being a great place to learn to surf. It’s not surprising then that there are so many surf schools and surf camps based here. For most surfers, Biscarrosse works best a mid-tide. Extreme high tide often sees the waves dump on the beach and low tide can produce the steep, hollow waves advanced surfers are looking for.
There are lots of peaks up and down the beach that tend to throw up more rights than lefts. Their exact location and type of wave they produce is down to the shape of the ever shifting sandbars. The spot gets crowded in summer especially in front of the access points. Walk up or down the beach a couple of hundred metres to find a quieter peak.
It’s important to bear in mind that strong rips aren’t uncommon and uninitiated beginner and intermediate surfers can get caught out. The waves can be quite powerful, and close-outs especially at high tide soon let you know who’s in charge. As always, the best thing to do is to spend some time observing before you paddle out. Local surfers in Biscarrosse are a friendly bunch (they get the place to themselves for 10 months of the year), so if in doubt ask them about anything to watch out for.
Guillaume’s take:
It’s a classic beach break that can produce an exceptional wave when the conditions line up. An easterly wind combined with a north-westerly swell can serve up a magical session. The swell is pretty consistent throughout the year and outside of the summer months, you’ll find relatively few people in the water.
Places to stay
There’s lots of good accommodation for surfers close to the beach in Biscarrosse.
You’ll find everything from uber-cool surf camps to campsites near the beach and funky hotels to villas to rent. Here’s a selection of our favourite places to stay in Biscarrosse:
Villa Sunshine
#biscarrossebeach Instagram Photos
Please leave a comment below if you need specific advice for your surf trip to Biscarosse, or if you have any recommendations to help us improve this guide. Happy holidays!
