Cap Ferret Surf Guide for 2025
the utterly gorgeous Cap Ferret spreads down 11 miles of France’s Atlantic coast in a medley of wild, exposed beach breaks that have surf all year round.
Sitting between Arcachon Bay and the Atlantic, it’s a mix of laid-back fishing villages, pine forests, and endless sandy beaches.
The peninsula’s western coastline is a magnet for swell, delivering everything from small, playful summer waves to powerful winter barrels that you’ll surf without anyone in the water.
The region is definitely best explored by car, as the beaches are spread out, and conditions can vary dramatically between spots.
I’d rate it as one of my favorite summer escapes in France because it’s god nice small-wave surfing then and won’t be as busy as the Landes or Basque coasts.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in France
What’s in this guide to surfing in Cap Ferret?
Where is Cap Ferret?
Cap Ferret is a thin, sandy peninsula on the southwest coast of France, separating Arcachon Bay from the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and sits just across from Dune du Pilat, Europe’s largest sand dune.
The closest major city is Bordeaux, which is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. The nearest airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD), where you can rent a car and drive directly to Cap Ferret. It’s an easy drive I’ve done many times almost entirely down the two-lane D106 road.
There’s also a ferry from Arcachon that crosses the bay, but a car is essential if you want to explore the surf spots properly.
Surf spots in Cap Ferret
Cap Ferret has a long, exposed Atlantic coastline, meaning there’s no shortage of waves. It’s almost entirely beach break surf, with shifting sandbanks that keep things interesting but also unpredictable. Here’s a breakdown of the top spots:
Grand Crohot
Grand Crohot is one of the most accessible and popular surf beaches in Cap Ferret.
It’s right at the north end of the cape, kinda more on the mainland of France than on the peninsula itself – a good option if you’re driving in for just a day session from Bordeaux or something since it’s a bit easier to get to than places further south.
It’s a classic beach break, picking up plenty of swell and offering a mix of lefts and rights that vary a lot in quality. They rarely hold well and will often just dump right out on biggert days.
In the summer, this is a great spot for all levels. The smaller swells are the key to creating nice shapes and angles on the peaks.
It gets busy, especially in the peak holiday months.
Le Truc Vert
Le Truc Vert is one of the most consistent surf spots in the region, offering hollow, punchy beach break waves when the sandbanks align.
The setting is stunning—backed by pine forests and dunes, it feels a little more remote than Grand Crohot and it actually is harder to get to.
This spot works best on mid-tide that’s pushing and tends to be a solid choice for intermediates and up, especially in autumn and winter, when the crowds thin out and there’s a bit more punch in the waves.
Some bad rips on this beach, so only go in if you know what you’re doing.
La Garonne
A less crowded alternative to some of the busier beaches, La Garonne can be a good pick if you want some solitude in the lineup and it’s only a little stroll down the beach from Truc Vert, where there’s almost always a group in the water if there’s something on.
The waves here are usually softer and more forgiving, making it a solid choice for beginners and longboarders.
It still picks up plenty of swell, but it’s not as heavy or hollow as its neighbor.
La Torchère
La Torchère sits near the southern end of Cap Ferret and is actually one of the more fickle breaks in the area.
I mean it often works with any swell just like all the beaches up the peninsula, but it’s rare to get such nice banks as beaches up north, not sure why.
Check the dunes here for the ruins of old wartime bunkers.
Best surfed on a mid to low tide.
Horizon
Horizon is a great all-rounder, offering fun, peaky waves that cater to all abilities. It’s less busy than Grand Crohot, but still picks up plenty of swell.
The sandbanks here can create neat little A-frames on smaller swells and some bigger bombs when it gets large.
My fav location is right in front of the Surf Center – Surf School Du Cap-Ferret, which also happen to do great grom lessons in the summer. It’s a nice spot that’s consistent and has generally good vibes in the water.
Les Dunes
Les Dunes is a quiet, and frankly underrated surf spot that sees way fewer crowds than the central beaches on the Cap Ferret.
I find it quite rippy but around here, though the nicely empty A-frame peaks that abound can be really fun if you know what you’re doing.
It’s not that hard to get to, either – just walk south from Horizon and you’ll soon get there, with lots of little peaks to pick from along the way.
Pointe
Pointe is the southernmost surfable spot on Cap Ferret, sitting right at the bend of the peninsula. It looks across Arcachon Bay towards Dune du Pilat, offering a unique surf setting.
The waves here are incredibly dependent on sandbanks, which shift constantly due to the strong tidal movements between the bay and the ocean.
When it’s on, it can be a fun, fast wave, but it’s also a very rippy spot with little wind protection, so it’s better suited to experienced surfers.
Autumn is the best time to surf here, as the summer months help settle the banks and the winds are generally lighter.
Arcachon
Arcachon is the town that sits at the mouth of Arcachon Bay across from the Cap Ferret.
There’s even a ferry you can take to get over to it or you can drive in like 30 mins.
It’s a good base for surfing in its own right, offering access to the high-quality beach breaks of Biscarosse and a few nice spots in La Salie even close to town.
I’d say there’s not all that much difference between being based here or in Cap Ferret itself, but I’d pick Arcachon if you like nightlife, oysters, and chic hotels.
Read more about surfing in Arcachon right here
Best time to surf in Cap Ferret?
Cap Ferret gets consistent surf year-round, but the conditions change dramatically with the seasons:
- Summer (June–August) – The best time for beginners and longboarders, with small, clean waves that rarely go over chest-high. The warm water and mellow peaks make this a perfect season to learn. There will be weeks when the surf is basically non existent in summer but that’s the risk you take to get the good weather and beginner conditions.
- Autumn (September–November) – Arguably the best time of year, with cleaner conditions, solid swells, and generally light winds. Sandbanks are usually in better shape after summer, making for fun, powerful beach break waves.
- Winter (December–February) – A season for advanced surfers only. Swells can reach double overhead or bigger, and the paddle-outs can be long and brutal. That said, this is when you’ll find slabby, barreling beach break waves if you’re up for the challenge. And it can be empty, even at key spots like Crohot.
- Spring (March–May) – A transitional season that can be hit or miss. Some days bring winter leftovers, while others feel like early summer. Intermediates will enjoy the mix of conditions, but the sandbanks can be less predictable.
Where to stay for surfing in Cap Ferret?
Cap Ferret is an amazing region for chilled, self-catering accommodation, set in a beautiful coastal landscape.
If you’re surfing, you’ll need a car, as the beaches are spread out along the peninsula and many of the accomodations are inland beyond the dunes on the bay side.
Staying in one of the many gîtes (rental cottages) is the best option, as it allows you to pick a home base and drive to the best surf of the day.
No matter where you stay, you’re never more than 30 minutes from a good beach. I’d reccomend
- Villa Louis – Grand Piquey – A very cool Scandi-style villa with a pool and wood-clad interiors. Can sleep up to 15 people!
- Welcoming house in Cap Ferret close to the beach – I love the deck space and gardens in this cool French coast house.
- Yamina Lodge – Another quirky cabin spot that has the feel of a Californian lodge about it. Sleeps up to eight, so great for families.
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!
