Hossegor & Capbreton · France
Surfing L'Estacade
A beach break in Hossegor & Capbreton, France, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
L'Estacade is the wooden pier at the mouth of Capbreton harbour, and the waves here break on the town's central beaches just south of it.
A line of rock groynes cuts down the swell, so on normal days it's small. It comes alive when a strong swell is running and the open beaches are maxed out. Then the groynes help shape some punchy peaks. It works best from mid to low tide.
It's mostly a winter wave, for the days when the open beaches of Hossegor are too big. On those days the pier is also the best place in Capbreton to watch the surf. The town centre, with cafés and restaurants, is right behind the beach.
When to surf
L'Estacade
L'Estacade is at its best from October to March. Conditions it likes: Big W-NW swell, E wind, mid to 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 L'Estacade
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.