Cap Ferret & Le Verdon · France
Surfing Montalivet
A beach break in Cap Ferret & Le Verdon, France, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Montalivet is a long beach on the Gironde coast, north of Lacanau, also known for its large naturist centre. The beach break works across a wide range of swell sizes and suits beginners and improvers.
It picks up the same groundswell as Lacanau and Le Porge with fewer surfers. Walk away from the main beach access in summer to find quieter peaks. Small to medium swells are friendliest.
In summer there are lifeguards and surf schools at the main beach. Autumn brings better swell and an empty beach. The town has campsites, holiday rentals and a few restaurants, and Lacanau is about forty minutes south.
When to surf
Montalivet
Montalivet is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: Small-mod swell, all tides.
October to March: Prime
Consistent, powerful groundswell, quiet off-season
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, busy beaches, Lacanau Pro in August
The year across Gironde
Waves near Montalivet
Getting there
Where to stay: Cap Ferret is upmarket, with oyster villages on the bay side and holiday houses among the pines; it's expensive in summer. Le Verdon, at the mouth of the Gironde, and Montalivet are quieter and cheaper, with campsites and simple holiday rentals.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Cap Ferret & Le Verdon guide.
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