Last updated on February 14th, 2024 at 09:00 pm
If you plan to surf in Hossegor, you came to the right place. In this surf guide, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including surf seasons, surfer tips, and the best surf spots in Hossegor, France.
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About Surfing in Hossegor, France
Hossegor is, without a doubt, the surf capital of France. Among countless surf spots along the French coastline, Hossegor is definitely the most famous one. It is known as a world-class surf destination with an amazingly hollow beach break. Therefore, it attracts the best surfers on the planet to face the challenge. Moreover, every year in October, Hossegor hosts the Quiksilver Pro surf competition as part of the world championship tour.
Hossegor is located on the Southwest Coast of France, about 40 KM north of Biarritz. Along its 3 KM beach strip, you can find 4 major surf spots with multiple peaks, all breaking over a sandy bottom. Due to the high quality of the waves, Hossegor has developed a pretty cool surf scene over the years. Surfers from all over the world come each year to surf in Hossegor, so the town has become very tourist-oriented. With many hotels, shops, and bars, getting around here is easy, and the environment is friendly and welcoming.
The surf in Hossegor is absolutely incredible. Besides being consistent year-round, it is also the perfect place to ride barrels. However, just to clarify, surfing in Hossegor is not a task for beginners. The waves are steep, fast, and hollow. These are the kind of massive barrels that will open up to show you the way out in some cases, but at other times, they will close out right on your head. Add to that the shifting sandbanks and the frequent changes in tides, swells, and winds, and you got yourself an extremely challenging surf environment. However, if you consider yourself a skilled surfer and you are on top of your game, this is where you can get the best tube rides of your life.
Surf Seasons in Hossegor
Fortunately, you can surf in Hossegor all year and almost always score fantastic waves. The consistency of this French town is outstanding, and as long as there is at least a small swell, one of the surf spots in Hossegor will produce good waves.
The French winter, between November and April, is the best time for advanced surfers to surf Hossegor. During this time of year, the swell is massive and highly consistent. However, the water is icy, and the overall conditions are pretty harsh to deal with.
During the spring, in May and June, the surf conditions are much more appealing. While the swells are still consistent, the waves are not as giant as in winter. The water, though, is still freezing.
If you are a beginner who wants to take surf lessons, July and August are the best months for that. During these summer months, the waves are small and suitable for learning, and the water is warmer. Due to summer vacationers, the beaches are crowded in summer, but it shouldn’t bother you too much.
Finally, the fall, which shows up in September and October, is the best time to surf in Hossegor. While the water is still warm after summer, most summer crowds are gone, and the surf conditions are absolutely perfect.
As for the air temperature in Hossegor, it ranges from 13 degrees in winter up to 24 in summer. Accordingly, the water temperature ranges from 12 to 25 degrees.
To clarify, from July to September, you can surf in Hossegor with your shorts only or a vest. From January to March, on the other hand, a thick 4/3 wetsuit is required to keep you warm during these winter months. During the rest of the year, a 3/2 wetsuit is enough.
Surf Spots in Hossegor
The Silver Coast of France has spectacular surf beaches, but Hossegor is the best of all. Even though Hossegor contains one long beach strip, you can definitely distinguish between 4 different surf spots. Each one of these spots behaves differently and provides a unique surfing experience.
So, let’s take a look at the best surf spots in Hossegor:
La Graviere:
This is the main beach of Hossegor and, by far, the most famous one. In fact, it is known as one of the best beach breaks in the world. The waves at La Graviere break close to shore and create a massive barrel right over the sandy bottom. It is a pure tube ride, so be aware, it is sucky, heavy, and dangerous. Needless to say, this break is suitable for experts only, as this is the most aggressive wave you can find. Professional surfers and very good locals are found in the lineup, and many surf competitions take place here every year.
Les Cois Nus:
Les Cois Nus means “bare bums” in English, which gives you a clue about the view you will witness here outside the water. As for the surf, it is another powerful and hollow beach break. Actually, it is one of the most consistent surf spots in the Hossegor area, and it can produce good waves at any tide and swell direction. You will find it only a few hundred meters north of La Graviere, and if you surf it early in the morning, you will be almost alone in the lineup.
La Nord:
This is a pure big-wave spot. During winter, you can see surfers riding their gun-shaped surfboards on 20-foot waves. It is enormous, massive, and pretty scary. Moreover, the currents on this beach are powerful, and the paddle out can rip your shoulders completely. However, if you are a big-wave rider, those are precisely the conditions you are after, and you will definitely find what you seek. La Nord also hosts the annual Rip Curl Challenge competition.
La Sud:
Can Beginners Surf in Hossegor?
Generally, Hossegor is not the typical beginner-friendly surf beach. As mentioned, the waves here are massive and require high skills to deal with. However, La Sud is an exception to that. In La Sud, the waves break very softly and allow novice surfers to learn and practice in a safe environment. So, surfers of all levels can surf in Hossegor; you just need to choose the right spot for your skills.
Surf Camps in Hossegor
If you are a beginner making his first steps in the surfing world or even an intermediate seeking improvement, you can explore the best surf spots in Hossegor at a surf camp. These are the most recommended ones in town:
1. French Language and Surf Camp.
2. Southwest Surf House.
3. Shifting Sands Surf Camp.
For more details about surf camps in France, click here.
Surf Hotels in Hossegor
When coming on a surf vacation, you want to stay as close as possible to the best surf spots in Hossegor. So, these are some of the most recommended surf hotels in town:
1. Hôtel de La Plage– Located on La Place des Landais, the Hotel de la Plage faces the central beach in Hossegor, an ocean-front town considered one of the best surfing locales in the world.
2. Mirador – Hossegor – Vue Océan– Located in Soorts-Hossegor, a few steps from Central Beach, Mirador – Hossegor – Vue Océan provides accommodation with a bar, free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a concierge service. The air-conditioned accommodation is 60 m from Plage Sud.
3. Point d’or– Situated in Capbreton, just 200 m from Central Beach, Point d’or features beachfront accommodation with a restaurant, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, and free WiFi. This apartment also has a private pool.
For more surf hotels in Hossegor, check out the best deals on Booking.com.
Hossegor- Travel Information
Language– French.
Population– about 4,000.
Currency– Euro.
Calling code– +33.
Time zone– GMT +2.
Pros– consistent waves, epic barrels.
Cons– the waves can be too aggressive, cold water.
Conclusion- A Few Final Words
To sum up, Hossegor is the “French Pipeline”. It gained its reputation as the perfect beach to get barreled. Therefore, it attracts surfers from all over the planet. If you are in good shape and can handle a powerful beach break, surfing in Hossegor will definitely blow your mind.
We hope you liked this guide to the best surf spots in Hossegor. Have a great surf trip!
