Hossegor & Capbreton · France
Surfing La Nord
A beach break in Hossegor & Capbreton, France, for advanced and pro surfers.
La Nord sits between La Centrale and La Gravière, on the same sandbank system that made Hossegor famous. With size it gets as hollow and heavy as its neighbour, and it holds a big swell well.
Local surfers often split between the two when both are working, because La Nord can be a little less crowded. The best bank moves through the season, so check both before you choose.
When the swell is too big for the rest of Hossegor, La Nord is often where the experienced surfers end up, because it can hold waves well over head high. In summer, on the other hand, it's usually small and crowded with holidaymakers.
The whole stretch from La Gravière to La Centrale is easy to walk, so it's worth checking a few peaks before you paddle out. Autumn is usually the best season, with good banks, clean groundswell and water that's still mild.
When to surf
La Nord
La Nord is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: Clean groundswell, light wind, all tides.
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 Nord
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.
Hossegor & Capbreton surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.