Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Crohot des Cavalles is a wild, preserved Atlantic beach-break on the Carcans coastline, best reached via a long walk through dunes and/or forest from nearby parking areas. The spot is typically less crowded than the main Carcans-Plage access because the effort limits casual visitation, which often makes conditions feel calmer when the broader area is busy. For surfing, the beach-break over sand can deliver good-quality peaks when sandbars are well-formed. Reported swell preference is primarily west (with west/northwest also mentioned), and the spot can handle a range of swell sizes, from small set-up waves around roughly 0.3 m up to larger surf where conditions may become more intense. Wind tends to be most favorable with east-to-northeast onshore/offshore alignment: winds from the east are described as grooming/offshore in effect, helping the face. Seasonally, April through December are mentioned across providers, with additional emphasis on warmer months in the summer season. Safety is the key consideration: there are strong currents/rip currents and baines (tidal pool areas with strong drainage), and no lifeguards are present. Because access for rescue teams is difficult, surfers should plan carefully—bring supplies, check tide conditions (the hike can be easier at low tide), and avoid underestimating current hazards.
- Less crowded due to long dune/forest access.
- West swell preference with good wave quality when sandbars form.
- Works at multiple tides (mid tide optimal reported, all-tides also reported).
- Wild setting with sand bottom and tidal features (baines) requiring caution.
- Good wave quality as sandbars form well.
- Often less crowded than more central access points along Carcans.
- Works with west swell; both left/right or both-direction waves reported.
- Wild/exposed beach-break with challenging safety factors (rip currents/baines/strong currents).
- Long hike through forest and dunes to reach the surf zone.
- No lifeguards and very limited vehicle access.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ENE, NE
- Offshore directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Frequently influenced by sea-breeze/thermal afternoon conditions.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Generally steady winds reported.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Dunes provide slight shelter right at the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Providers also describe medium waves depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Reported water type includes chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wild-dune-beach access with direct beach access described via dune alleys; reach requires a hike.
Through the year
Busy in summer and autumn with tourists; quieter in autumn mornings with fewer local club members.
Winter months from November to March (reported).
By sport
What to expect for each.
A wild, preserved Atlantic beach-break with sand bottoms. Works best with west swell; produces both left and right (or both-direction) waves with good-quality peaks when sandbars are formed. Shelter is limited—conditions can feel exposed to wind and swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.3–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide reported as optimal by one provider; another provider indicates it works at all tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed open-coast feel; dunes provide only slight near-shore shelter.
- Wind Effect
- E/ENE winds groom waves (described as offshore from the east).
- Bigger Swell
- On very large swells it can close-out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Generally described as moderate/power depending on sandbars.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling waves reported when sandbars are well formed.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Reported as medium peel speed.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Ride length described as medium; day length can be normal/good depending on conditions.
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy sections can occur depending on sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) in the full forecast view.
Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–21 ktsGusts 36 kts
- Direction
- W267°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2521 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–19 °C
Over the next 7 days, Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–21 kts, peaking around 21 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 36 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.8–4.0 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rip currents
- Baines (tidal pools with strong drainage)
- Strong currents
- Shore break
- Isolation
- Moving sandbanks
- Currents
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards at this spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Rescue availability at the spot is reported as no.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 112, but access for vehicles is very limited.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported; typically less tourist-heavy due to difficult access.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies.
- Bring water and supplies as there are no facilities at this exact stretch of beach.
- Expect a long hike through dunes/forest—allow extra time; the walk is easier at low tide along the shore.
- Beware of baines and strong currents; no lifeguards are present.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Bordeaux
- Nearest Town
- Carcans-Plage
- Parking
- Park at the Cavallès or Carcans-Plage forest parking lots; expect a significant hike.
- Access
- Access is restricted to a long walk (approximately 2.5 km) through the forest and dunes from nearby parking areas; from Carcans-Plage it typically involves two dune crossings via dune alleys.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Campsites and holiday rentals in Carcans-Plage and Maubuisson.
- Food & Drink
- No food/drink at the spot; shops and restaurants are located in Carcans-Plage.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Tourism in the area blends ocean surf/wave sports with nearby lake leisure and a strong outdoor cycling culture along forest routes.
Large freshwater lake providing calm waters for swimming and sailing.
Extensive paved cycling trails through pine forests connecting the coast.
The Médoc region is known for its vineyards and wine estates.
Extensive paved cycling trails through pine forests connecting the coast.
Seasonal eateries, creperies, and bars near the main beach access.
Lakeside activities and children’s options suited for families.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans)?
The best overall months at Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) are April, May, June, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans)?
Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) works with E, ENE, NE winds. Offshore directions are E.
What skill level is Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) suitable for?
Crohot des Cavalles (Carcans) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.