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Surfing in France in May

In May the best surfing in France is at Lacanau, Biscarrosse Plage & La Torche.

Updated November 2026 · weather data 2022–2026

In short

  • Waves: 1.1 m on average (daily maximum)
  • Water: 13–18°C, 5/4 wetsuit and boots at 13–15°C; 4/3 wetsuit at 16–18°C
  • Air: 19°C by day, 12°C at night
  • Weather: sun (6+ hours) on about 29 days, rain (1+ mm) on about 13; a day can have both
  • For beginners: Lacanau, Biarritz – Côte des Basques & Capbreton.

When are you planning to go?

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
1Lacanau, surfing, surf foiling & SUP. Photo: Pierre André Leclercq
MayPEAK SEASON
Lacanau
France
1.4 m waves16° water21° air
Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BOD 43 km
2Biscarrosse Plage, surfing. Photo: Delbarre Cedric
MayGOOD
Biscarrosse Plage
France
1.4 m waves17° water20° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BOD 60 km
3La Torche, kitesurfing, windsurfing & surfing. Photo: Jeanne Menjoulet from Paris, France
MayGOOD
La Torche
France
1.2 m waves15° water18° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ BES 68 km
4Biarritz – Côte des Basques, surfing, surf foiling & SUP. Photo: Vorlod
MayGOOD
Côte des Basques
Biarritz · France
1.1 m waves18° water20° air
Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BIQ 4 km
5Anglet – Les Cavaliers, surfing. Photo: Antoine Lorin
MayGOOD
Les Cavaliers
Anglet · France
1.1 m waves18° water20° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BIQ 6 km
6Capbreton, surfing. Photo: Tangopaso
MayGOOD
Capbreton
France
1.1 m waves17° water21° air
Beginner-friendly · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BIQ 20 km
7Seignosse – Les Estagnots, surfing. Photo: Seignossetourism
MayGOOD
Les Estagnots
Seignosse · France
1.1 m waves17° water21° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BIQ 25 km
8Guéthary – Parlementia, surfing. Photo: Pkayne
MayGOOD
Parlementia
Guéthary · France
1.1 m waves17° water20° air
Intermediate and up · 4/3 wetsuit · ✈ BIQ 8 km
9Wimereux – Pointe aux Oies, kitesurfing, wingfoiling & windsurfing. Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT
MayGOOD
Pointe aux Oies
Wimereux · France
0.8 m waves14° water17° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ OST 100 km
10Wissant, kitesurfing, wingfoiling & windsurfing. Photo: Raimond Spekking
MayGOOD
Wissant
France
0.8 m waves13° water17° air
Intermediate and up · 5/4 wetsuit and boots · ✈ OST 92 km

Averages of the 10 spots on this page. Wave height: average daily maximum.

Questions

Where to go surfing in France in May?

Lacanau: 1.4 m waves; Biscarrosse Plage: 1.4 m waves; La Torche: 1.2 m waves.

How warm is the water in France in May?

13–18°C: 5/4 wetsuit and boots at 13–15°C; 4/3 wetsuit at 16–18°C.

Where can beginners go surfing in May?

Good spots for beginners this month: Lacanau, Biarritz – Côte des Basques & Capbreton.

Which airport is closest?

Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD), 43 km from Lacanau; Brest Bretagne airport (BES), 68 km from La Torche; Biarritz Pays Basque airport (BIQ), 4 km from Biarritz – Côte des Basques.

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