Landes coast Atlantic beach at Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, France

Surf Camps in France

The Landes coast in southwest France: 230km of uninterrupted sandy beach, consistent Atlantic swell from April to November, and water warm enough for a 3/2 all summer. Two camps in Vieux-Boucau, right between Hossegor and Moliets.

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From €35/night: breakfast, pool access, and surf equipment available
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Southwest France pine forests meeting the Atlantic Ocean

The Landes Coast

Southwest France, between Biarritz and Bordeaux. The Landes coastline runs for 230 kilometres: the longest uninterrupted sandy beach in Europe. French surfing started here in 1957 when a Californian screenwriter brought a board to Biarritz and paddled out at Côte des Basques.

Today, this stretch is Europe’s most consistent surf zone. Hossegor hosts the WSL Championship Tour every October. Seignosse and Capbreton stack up sandbars that produce hollow waves all summer. And in between, quieter towns like Vieux-Boucau and Moliets offer the same swell without the crowds.

Both Waverick camps sit in Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains: a lakeside town 400 metres from the beach, 20 minutes from Hossegor, 10 minutes from Moliets. A calm base with every major surf spot on the coast within driving distance.

Surf Spots Within Reach

Both camps are in Vieux-Boucau: central on the coast with France’s best breaks a short drive away.

Hossegor: La Gravière

20 min south

France’s heaviest beach break. Hosts the WSL Championship Tour every October. Hollow barrels over shallow sand: powerful and fast. For experienced surfers when the swell is overhead.

Seignosse: Les Estagnots

15 min south

The most consistent banks on the Landes coast. Reliable A-frames from waist-high to double overhead. Les Bourdaines next door is the same deal. Good for intermediates on a clean day.

Capbreton: La Piste

20 min south

South of the Hossegor canal, the banks are more sheltered. Less swell gets in, which means cleaner waves on bigger days. A solid fallback when Hossegor is too heavy.

Vieux-Boucau: La Plage

Walking distance

The home break. A long sandy beach with mellow peaks: the coaches take beginners here first. Rarely crowded. The lake behind town is flat water for SUP on rest days.

Moliets-et-Mâa

10 min north

A wide sandy beach backed by pine forest. Same swell as Vieux-Boucau but fewer people. Good for a quiet free-surf session when you want space.

Biarritz: Côte des Basques

45 min south

Where European surfing began. Grande Plage for longboarding, Côte des Basques for the view. Worth the drive for a surf session and lunch: a proper town with seriously good food.

Two Camps, One Coast

Both in Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, both run by SurfBlend. Different format, different vibe.

SURFinn Vieux Boucau

Surf House: April to November
  • Two villas with a heated pool and yoga deck
  • Flexible: min 3 nights in low/mid season
  • Daily breakfast, optional dinners (Wed/Fri/Sun)
  • Free Surf equipment add-on: €13/night
  • Surf lessons: 3-day (€129) or 5-day (€195)
Best for: Couples, families, flexible travellers, shoulder season
From €35/night (dorm): €60/night (double)

Surfbase Vieux Boucau

Surf Hostel: June to September
  • Max 18 guests, bar with courtyard terrace
  • Saturday to Saturday only, 7-night stays
  • Daily breakfast, 3 group dinners available (€49)
  • Surf equipment rental for the week: €49
  • Surf lessons: 3-day (€129) or 5-day (€195)
Best for: Solo travellers, social trips, weekly summer camps (18+)
From €36/night (dorm): €67/night (double)
SURFinn Vieux-Boucau surf hostel with garden and pool

SURFinn Vieux Boucau

Vieux-Boucau-les-BainsSurf HouseHeated PoolMin 3 NightsApril–November

Included

  • Daily breakfast buffet (bread, fruit, pastries, coffee)
  • Heated swimming pool
  • WiFi, linen, towels, tourist tax
  • Welcome drink
  • Surf gear storage and parking

Add-ons

  • Free Surf equipment: €13/night per person
  • Surf Lessons: 3 days (€129) or 5 days (€195)
  • Dinner Wed/Fri/Sun: €17.50 each
  • Short stay fee: €40 (stays under 5 nights)
RoomFrom
Dorm (6 beds, mixed)€35/bed/night
Double Standard (2 guests)€60/night
Double Deluxe (ensuite)€141/night
Four Deluxe (4 guests)€106/night
Six Deluxe (group room, 6 guests)€159/night
SURFinn is the bigger of the two: two villas with a heated pool between them, a garden with mini-golf, petanque court, and ping pong table. Breakfast is generous and the coaches rotate between Vieux-Boucau, Seignosse, and Hossegor depending on the swell. In low and mid season you can arrive any day and stay as short as 3 nights, which makes it one of the most flexible surf camps on the French coast. Cancellation is free up to 6 weeks before arrival.
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Surfbase Vieux-Boucau beachfront surf accommodation

Surfbase Vieux Boucau

Vieux-Boucau-les-BainsSurf HostelMax 18 GuestsSat–SatJune–September

Included

  • Daily breakfast buffet
  • Bed linen, towels, WiFi
  • Free parking, tourist tax
  • Free skateboards and longboards
  • Beach games and board games

Add-ons

  • Surf Lessons: 3 days (€129) or 5 days (€195)
  • Surf equipment rental: €49/week
  • The Diners: 3 group dinners (€49)
  • Bike rental to explore the coast
RoomFrom
Dorm (5 beds, mixed)€36/bed/night
Double Room (2 guests)€67/night
Quad Room (4 guests)€100/night
Group Room (5 guests)€145/night
Surfbase is the smaller, more social one. Max 18 guests in the whole house: by day three, everyone knows everyone. There’s a courtyard bar, a living room with board games, and three group dinners during the week where the food is good and the stories are better. It’s in the centre of Vieux-Boucau, 15 minutes on foot to the beach. Minimum age 18+, so the vibe is young, social, and built around summer surf weeks.
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Best Time to Surf in France

The Landes coast season runs April to November. Here’s what to expect month by month.

MonthWater TempSwellCrowdsVerdict
Apr–May15°CMedium, consistentLowShoulder season: fewer people, solid waves, chilly mornings
June18°CConsistent, cleanModerateSummer kicks in. Warm days, reliable surf, pre-peak
Jul–Aug21°CMixed (small to medium)PeakWarmest water, busiest lineups. Best for beginners
September20°CBuilding, consistentModerateBest month: warm water, good swell, half the crowd
Oct–Nov16°CBig, powerfulLowBig autumn swells. SURFinn still open. Experienced surfers

Short version: June and September are the sweet spot: warm enough for a shorty, consistent swell, and the lineups aren’t packed. July and August are warmest but busiest. If you’re experienced, October delivers the biggest waves with the smallest crowds.

What You Get When You Book

Every camp on Waverick is vetted, detailed, and bookable in a few clicks.

Surf Access

Lessons, equipment, and qualified coaches available at both camps. 3-day course from €129.

Summer Atlantic

Water 15–21°C from April to November. A 3/2 covers you the whole season.

WiFi & Essentials

WiFi, parking, linen, towels, tourist tax included at both camps. No surprises.

Best Prices

We compare rates across platforms so you always get a competitive deal.

Breakfast Every Morning

Fresh bread, fruit, pastries, and unlimited coffee. Both camps, every day.

€30 Off at Checkout

Use the code at checkout for €30 off your booking.

France's Best Surf Spots

Eight named breaks, three regions. Pick the wave, the camp follows.

Côte des Basques

Biarritz · Beach break · Beginner to intermediate

Europe's most forgiving learner beach. Wide sandbank at low tide rolls out gentle whitewater all summer. Where surfing in Europe started in 1956.

La Gravière

Hossegor · Beach break · Advanced

The heaviest hollow beach-break barrels in Europe. Fires September to October on a clean NW groundswell. Heavy local crowd.

Parlementia

Bidart / Guéthary · Reef point · Advanced

The Basque coast's heavy reef. Long right-hander that holds size up to 4 metres. Bring the step-up, not the shortboard.

Plage Centrale

Vieux-Boucau · Beach break · All levels

Wide open bay protected by a jetty to the south. Sandbar shifts every winter but stays surfable on most swells. Lifeguarded in summer.

Moliets-plage

Moliets · Beach break · Intermediate

Long stretch of sand backed by pine forest. Multiple peaks spread the crowd. Cleaner mornings before the cross-shore wind kicks in.

Erretegia

Bidart · Beach break · Intermediate

Small cove tucked under the cliffs, accessed by a steep staircase. Picks up SW swells the open beaches miss. A-frame peaks at mid tide.

La Sud

Hossegor · Beach break · Intermediate

Quieter neighbour of La Gravière. Same sandbar pedigree, slightly less heavy. Works on the same NW windows.

Plage du Centre

Bidart · Beach break · All levels

Bidart's main town beach, easy walk-in from the village. Soft peaks for learners on the inside, punchier banks on the outside at low tide.

Find your kind of camp

Three quick filters. Click through to camps that match.

By skill level

  • Beginner: SURFinn Vieux-Boucau, Surfbase Vieux-Boucau
  • Intermediate: Joyu Surf House, SURFblend Moliets
  • Advanced: Joyu Surf House (Bidart point breaks)

By style

  • Family-friendly with pool: SURFinn Vieux-Boucau
  • Social camp 18-30: Surfbase Vieux-Boucau, SURFblend Moliets
  • Surf-house, Basque coast: Joyu Surf House

By price

  • Under €70/night: Surfbase Vieux-Boucau, SURFinn Vieux-Boucau
  • €70 to €120/night: SURFblend Moliets, Joyu Surf House (low season)
  • Premium weekly: Joyu Surf House (peak)

Compare France camps at a glance

Four Waverick camps, side by side.

CampRegionStyleFrom
Joyu Surf HouseBidart (Basque coast)Surf-house, half board€105 / night
SURFinn Vieux-BoucauVieux-Boucau (Landes)Premium, heated pool, family€70 / night
Surfbase Vieux-BoucauVieux-Boucau (Landes)Social hostel, 6-bed dorms€40 / night
SURFblend MolietsMoliets (Landes pine forest)18-30 social camp village€85 / night

Getting to your camp

Two airports, one country, plus the TGV from Paris.

Biarritz (BIQ)

Main entry for the Basque coast (Bidart 10 min) and southern Landes (Vieux-Boucau 45 min). Direct flights from London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Madrid. Most camps offer paid airport transfers.

Bordeaux (BOD)

Closer to northern Landes (Moliets 75 min) and Lacanau. Direct flights across Europe. Rental car or summer-only direct buses to the coast.

TGV from Paris

4 hours direct to Biarritz station, then 5 minutes by taxi to Bidart. To Dax for Moliets (35 min by car onward). Fastest way down without flying.

What to know before you go

Wetsuit thickness

July to August: boardshorts or 2 mm shorty (water 21 to 22 °C). May to June and September to October: 3/2 mm. Winter (December to March): 4/3 mm with hood from December. Rentals included at most camps.

Boards & gear

Rentals included at most camps. Day-rate €15 to €30 if not. Bring your own if you're particular about your stick. Soft-tops on every learner beach.

Visa & entry

EU passport or Schengen visa. UK and US passports get 90 days visa-free in the Schengen area. Passport valid 6 months past return.

Money

Currency is euros. Cards work everywhere except some beach restaurants. Keep small bills for taxis. Tap-to-pay accepted in nearly every shop and bar.

Tipping

Round up restaurant bills (5 to 10%). €10 to €20 for your surf instructor at the end of a stay. Service is included on most bills, so tip is optional.

Day trips on flat days

The Lac Marin in Vieux-Boucau for SUP. Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz for Basque culture and food. Hossegor's brand-HQ outlets (Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Billabong, Volcom) at 30 to 50% off retail.

Common Questions About Surfing in France

Quick answers to the things people ask before booking.

When should I book a France surf camp?
June and September are the sweet spot: warm enough for a shorty, consistent swell, and the lineups aren’t packed. July and August are the warmest but the busiest. Experienced surfers should look at October: bigger swells, smaller crowds, and SURFinn is still open. The season runs April to November.
Do I need surfing experience to book?
No. Both camps offer surf lessons for beginners with all equipment provided. The coaches take you to the right beach for your level: typically Vieux-Boucau or Capbreton for first-timers, and Seignosse or Hossegor as you progress. Groups are small (around 6–8 per instructor) with video analysis so you can see what to fix.
What’s the water temperature in southwest France?
Around 15°C in April/May, warming to 21°C in August, then cooling through autumn. A 3/2 wetsuit covers you for the whole season. In July and August, some people surf in a shorty or even boardshorts on the warmest days.
What’s the difference between SURFinn and Surfbase?
Both in Vieux-Boucau, both run by SurfBlend. SURFinn is the bigger surf house: two villas with a heated pool, garden, and yoga deck. Open April to November, flexible stays from 3 nights. Surfbase is the smaller surf hostel: max 18 guests, bar with courtyard, social weekly vibe. Runs Saturday to Saturday, mid-June to mid-September only. SURFinn suits couples, families, and flexible plans. Surfbase suits solo travellers and social summer trips.
Can I book less than a week?
At SURFinn, yes: minimum 3 nights in low and mid season (April–June, September–November), with a €40 surcharge for stays under 5 nights. In July and August, SURFinn switches to weekly Saturday-to-Saturday bookings. Surfbase is always 7 nights, Saturday to Saturday. For a short trip, SURFinn in shoulder season is the flexible option.
What's the closest airport to Vieux-Boucau?
Fly into Biarritz Airport (BIQ): about 50 minutes by car. Bordeaux Airport (BOD) is roughly 2 hours. From Paris, the TGV to Dax takes about 3.5 hours, then a 30-minute drive or local bus. Most guests drive or rent a car: having wheels makes it easy to chase the best waves along the coast.
Is Hossegor close to the camps?
20 minutes by car. Vieux-Boucau sits right between Hossegor (south) and Moliets (north) on the Landes coast. Seignosse is 15 minutes, Capbreton 20 minutes, Biarritz about 45 minutes. The coaches choose the best spot each day based on swell and tide.
What’s included in the price?
Both camps include daily breakfast (fresh bread, fruit, pastries, unlimited coffee), bed linen, towels, WiFi, parking, and tourist tax. SURFinn adds a heated pool and welcome drink. Surf lessons and equipment are add-ons: 3-day courses start at €129. Surfbase also includes free skateboards and longboards.

Your Summer on the Landes Coast

Two camps in Vieux-Boucau, France’s best beach breaks within driving distance, and accommodation from €35 a night. Book now and get €30 off at checkout.

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