Hossegor & Capbreton · France
Surfing La Gravière
A beach break in Hossegor & Capbreton, France, for advanced and pro surfers.
La Gravière is the most famous wave in Hossegor and one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. A deep underwater canyon, the Gouf de Capbreton, sends the swell straight onto the sandbank, so the waves come out of deep water and break hard in shallow water.
On a good bank it throws thick, hollow barrels, and it has hosted world tour contests. Takeoffs are late and steep. Once it's over head high, it's for advanced surfers only, and the lineup is very competitive. It's best on a clean groundswell with light wind, usually in autumn.
The best time is usually autumn, from September to November, when the banks are often at their best, the water is still mild and the summer crowds have gone. Winter brings bigger, colder swells, and in summer it's often small and full of holidaymakers and bodyboarders.
If it's too big or too busy, La Nord and La Centrale are a few minutes' walk south along the same beach, and the beaches of Capbreton are more forgiving. There are lifeguards in July and August; the rest of the year you're on your own, so know your limits.
When to surf
La Gravière
La Gravière is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: Clean groundswell, light wind.
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 Gravière
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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