Biscarrosse Surf Guide – Beginner Spots / Surf Camps / Beach Breaks
Biscarrosse surf is a big welcome to Landes – arguably France’s most hallowed surf country. It’s got classic beach break waves for all levels and a fantastic nightlife vibe in the summer months.
An introduction to Biscarrosse surf
In a land that excels in punchy beach breaks, the Biscarrosse surf stands out from the crowd. It’s one of the first surf destinations in the region of Landes, which seasoned riders will know as the home of Hossegor and Seignosse.
A little of those legendary waves is carried over to this northern part of the Bay of Biscay coast, in the form of peaky wedges and nigh-on crazy consistency.
However, Biscarrosse tempers the barrels of Hossegor with a few of its own less gnarly spots that can be downright perfect for families and learners in the more chilled summer months.
Like all of the Landes breaks south of it, the surf here is dependant on the sandbanks. They can actually shift considerably in the aftermath of the winter storm season.
However, they typically settle to offer a range of different wave styles on low and high tides. In fact, you’ll be able to see that variety in action in a single day down on Biscarrosse Plage.
There are lots of peaks, with plenty of rights and a few short lefts; some tubey out back others fast and right onshore.
As a town, you really can’t go wrong with Biscarrosse. Okay, so it’s not got the charm of an alpine village. It does have plenty of great accommodation options for families, good bars that get real lively between May and August, and a whole string of successful surf schools.
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Biscarrosse surf at a glance
The good:
- Brill surf schools for families and groms
- Good vibes in the summertime
- Some Landes barrels when the tide is low
The bad:
- Potential pollution on spots to the north, although Biscarrosse itself should be fine
- Very seasonal resort town, so busy in summer
- Just one beach and main surf spot, but does have variation there
What’s in this guide to Biscarrosse surf?
Where is Biscarrosse?
Biscarrosse is immediately south of Arcachon Bay and just a smidgen over the Landes-Gironde border.
That puts it right at the northern end of the Landes region, with the Bay of Biscay and its reliable surf rolling straight into its west-facing beaches.
Summers get busy mainly thanks to the proximity of Bordeaux. That culture-filled city and major airport hub is a mere 1h10 in the car to the north west.
You actually want to be staying in Biscarrosse-Plage. It’s the beach town of Biscarrosse, located about 15 mins’ drive (9 miles) down the road to the northwest, right on the Atlantic Ocean. That’s where you’ll be surfing and it’s where all the best surf stays are.
We’d highly, highly reccomend having your own car here. If you’re not doing a surf camp – when the transport to different breaks is usually included – being free to drive the coast roads up and down to Mimizan and up to Arachon can be a great way to seek out the best peaks and dodge the crowds.
We also don’t find car hires in France all that expensive at all. Use RentalCars to book early and you can score some good deals that often come with free cancellation up to like 48 hours before you travel…
Biscarrosse surf spots
Biscarrosse is a fine introduction to the sort of surf you get in the Landes region.
Like Hossegor and Moliets beyond it, it’s covered in beach breaks that change with the sandbanks and the tide.
Overall, the spots here are probably just a little bit more beginner-friendly than elsewhere in this region, which is why Biscarrosse is so often seen as a family destination.
Arcachon
The oyster town of Arcachon is actually tucked into Arcachon Bay, where there’s not a hint of swell to be had.
But it is a bit of a surf town thanks to the proximity of breaks like La Salie and other long beaches to the south of town. You can base yourself here if you like. It’s charming, relaxed, and great for foodies.
We have a full guide to Arcachon as a surf town
La Salie
La Salie is a remote break to the north of Biscarrose. It’s got a loyal following because it’s a really powerful A-frame that channels a little of the pizzazz you find on the barrely beach breaks of south Landes.
It’s a challenging surf with lovely rights and more close-out lefts. A word of warning about the water quality – not even the locals like it!
Biscarrosse Plage
Biscarrosse Plage is where pretty much all the surf happens in this town.
We could go right ahead and try to break it down into individual peaks for you. But we’d be here for hours, and, by the time we’d finished, the sandbanks will surely have shifted and we’d need to begin again.
Basically, this is a 3-mile run of powdery sand that gets head-on W swells from the Bay of Biscay 365 days of the year. It’s fantastically consistent, and offers mellow rides and plenty of whitewash in the summer months, which is why it’s so beloved of starters.
The main thing to note about the beachfront Biscarrosse surf is the tide. It can change the style of waves completely. As a general rule, mid-tide is the good medium point, with fatter, more rippable swells.
High tide is our least favourite becuase it’s very dumpy. Low tide on larger swells offers hollower waves a la Hossegor, on sucky, tubey walls of Atlantic water – leave them to those who know what they’re doing.
Mimizan
One town south of Biscarrosse is Mimizan, where the surf is actually pretty similar.
So are the vibes – it’s a lovely little family summer resort with excellent hotels and a few cracking surf schools.
Come for the 10km of beachfront, where there’s almost always a peak to call your own for the day.
Where to stay? Single Fin Hotel & Lodge – A riverside surf lodge that’s walking access to the best beaches in Mimizan.
Check out our full guide to Mimizan surfing
Moliets
Moliets is a very versatile surf town to the south of Biscarrosse.
It’s got a central beach (Plage Centrale) with oodles of punchy peaks up its length and loads of surf rental shacks to boot. Generally, it’s seen as a perfect beginner and learner spot througout the summer months.
A bit rippy when its big and can offer more wally breaks in the winter with some hollow moments.
We’d say choose between Biscarrose and here to base yourself and do a day trip to the other, although that might not be needed because the breaks are of pretty similar Landes quality.
Where to stay? Star Surf Camp – Glamping in the woods, surfing every day.
Check out our full guide to Moliets surf
Where to stay (for surfing) in Biscarrosse?
Biscarrosse certainly has no shortage of surf hotels and lodges.
It’s one of the most popular getaways in Landes for wave hunters in the summer because of its proximity to Bordeaux and Bordeaux Airport and it’s beginner-friendly spots.
- La Boga Surf House – Super-fun La Boga Surf House is the go-to surf stay for us in Biscarrosse these days. It’s a social hostel-poshtel sorta place with dorms and privates but also frills like a splash pool. Close to beaches, and they organize daily surf lessons and yoga that you can join.
- Hoya Surf Camp – Hidden in the pine woods that stretch out infront of the Biscarrosse breaks. You’ll have your own little wooden cabana decked out with comfy single beds and a table. Surf classes are run by the camp, with excellent facilities for families and learners.
- Le Grand Hotel de la Plage – A bit of a Biscarrosse legend, Le Grand is right on the seafront, overlooking the waves with its stunning infinity pool and sundeck area. Pretty plush. Great for couples if the budget allows.
- Ecolodge ‘Calm and Nature’ – This is a special place to stay. It’s not on the beaches but it’s like 10 mins’ drive away. It’s a real escape though, with a pool set amid the woods and a lovely Scandi cabin design.
A good way to pinpoint the perfect stay in Biscarrosse, or across the French Atlantic for that matter, is to use the Booking.com map feature. It basically lets you zoom in and out to see exactly how far somewhere is from the beaches/spots you want to surf.
Surf lessons in Biscarrosse
With it’s beginner-friendly beach breaks, it’s hardly a surprise that Biscarrosse is one of the best places to do surf lessons – we’d say one of the best in the whole of France, in fact.
There are plenty of schools on offer. Many are very well versed in tuition for families (as this is primarily a family surf town) and groms. Most will do standard pacakges of 1.5-hour lessons that include out of water training and all your gear.
If you do plan on coming in the summer season, then things can get a bit busy and it’s probably worth booking lessons in advance.
For that, we can highly reccomend one provider…
Hoya Surf School – Run by the ever-friendly Geo, who learned to surf on the beaches of Biscarrosse himself way back when he was 11, this school is one of the originals in town. They do basic 1.5-hour lessons for beginners that offer safety training and groups of no more than eight per instructor, but also 1-on-1 courses for extra tips and attention.
When to surf in Biscarrosse?
We’d say it’s actually really important to time your surf trip to Biscarrosse right. Different seasons mean very different things here…
Summer (June-August)
Biscarrosse booms in popularity in the summer months. Thousands of visitors come to hit the waves and sun themselves on the sand. That’s why we’d recommend dawnies, or walks up the beach to find those remoter breaks. Swell wise, summer is way smaller than winter. MOst days see just a couple of feet and there’s less moxie in the cross-Atlantic westerlies, not to mention some offshore winds to add shape. Small-wave surfers eat your hearts out.
Autumn (September-November)
The locals really like surfing Biscarrosse Plage in the autumn months. It’s sorta’ the best balance of summer’s mellow swells with a bit of added winter punch coming through on the NW direction. Couple that with basically zero crowds and you’ve got one darn fine surf destination. If in doubt, surf these months! We love it.
Winter (December-March)
Expert surfers and advanced intermediates are always willing to pull on the 4/3 suits and brave the Bay of Biscay stuff in December. The Landes coast throws out some spectacular barrels at this time of year, but it’s sometimes a waiting game to dodge the strong onshore westerly winds and catch the sandbanks when they’re working their magic. This is not the time to go surfing Biscarrosse Plage if you’re a beginner!
Spring (April & May)
The funny thing about the Landes coastline where Biscarrosse Plage makes its home is that spring can be a time of real uncertainty on the surf front. That’s mainly because the sandbanks are still resetting after those churning winter storms. It’s unpredictable stuff if you like that sort of thing – crumbly one day, glassy the next. Towards the end of the spring is better for learners, as the crowds are still small but rates in the Biscarrosse surf lodges stay nice and low.
Surf shops in Biscarrosse
Get down to these Biscarrosse surf stores if you need hardware, surf threads, or a new skateboard to get around…
- Blue Hawaii Surf Shop – Just few blocks back from Biscarrosse Plage. This one’s a medium-sized establishment that stays open throughout the spring, summer and autumn, with stock of surf and skate gear. We particularly like the off-beat fashion brands in store. Nice owners too.
- NATURAL SURF SHOP – These guys have eco-friendly sun sticks and eco-conscious gear makers in stock, along with some nice sunnies, sports watches and some lovely boardshorts.
Things to do when you’re not surfing in Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse is a fine spot on the south-west coast of France. It’s not just lovely for surfing, but also exploring the Landes region and more…
Explore the forest
Biscarrosse is hemmed in by some of the largest coastal forestry in Europe. It’s a mass of seemingly endless pine trees that smell super, duper nice.
The whole area behind the main Biscarrosse Plage is covered with woods and comes struck through with cycling paths. It’s the perfect adventure when you tire of the waves.
Bordeaux for the day
Bordeaux is a mere hour’s drive away. It’s the perfect spot for injecting a little culture and cuisine into your French surf trip.
Majestic palaces fringe its plazas, while tempting wine bars dot its old center. What’s more, the Place de la Bourse and Bordeaux cathedral are simply stunning!
Where to eat in Biscarrosse?
Biscarrosse does dining real well.
Just bear in mind that a lot of the eateries are only open for the summer season from May to September. Many will shut up shop for the winter hibernation after that.
The seafood, though – it’s some of the best in France.
- BISCA SURF CAFÉ – Super-chilled and easy-going vibes, with a great outdoor space. Oh yea, and did we mention the melted Camembert wheels? We usually have by this point. A little inland from the beaches but still a great stop worth knowing about.
- Le Bar à Huîtres – The region straight to the north of Biscarrosse is home to wide Arcachon Bay bay. That’s famed all around the globe for its super tasty shellfish. Cue Le Bar à Huîtres, which serves up oodles of regional seafood, dry Bordeaux white wines and craft beer.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
