Hossegor & Capbreton · France
Surfing La Centrale
A beach break in Hossegor & Capbreton, France, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
La Centrale sits in the middle of Hossegor's line of beach breaks, between the heavier peaks. It still has real power, but is usually a bit easier than La Gravière.
On a clean groundswell with light wind it has good, hollow waves, with a little more room for mistakes. It's a sensible place for strong intermediate surfers to try Hossegor, and it gets busy on good days.
Autumn is the best time, when the banks are usually good and the summer crowds have gone. In July and August it's often small and busy with swimmers, and the lifeguards limit surfing to marked zones. If it's too big, La Sud, a short walk south, is more sheltered; if it's too small, La Nord picks up a little more.
When to surf
La Centrale
La Centrale is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: Clean groundswell, light wind, low tide.
October to March: Prime
Biggest, most powerful groundswell, quieter off-season
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches and high prices
The year across Landes (Hossegor)
Waves near La Centrale
La Nord
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Advanced / Pro
La Sud
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
La Gravière
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Advanced / Pro
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Hossegor puts you closest to La Gravière and La Nord, with apartments, campsites and surf hostels among the pines. Capbreton has the harbour, a livelier choice of restaurants and the beaches around the jetties. Seignosse, just north, is cheaper and quieter. July and August are busy and expensive; in autumn there is plenty of choice.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Hossegor & Capbreton guide.
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