France
The Penon beach in Seignosse, in the heart of the Landes region in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a popular spot for its proximity to the ocean and its regular surf conditions. It is a family beach with surf schools, a lifeguard station, and easy access from the parking lot. It also attracts kiters when the wind is favorable, although it is mainly known for surfing.
Surrounded by dunes and close to the shops of Seignosse-Ocean, it offers a lively atmosphere in season. The well-formed sandbanks thanks to the wooden jetty to the south make it a reliable place for waves.
The spot is monitored from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM every day in summer, with areas dedicated to sliding sports according to local regulations.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
wave
flatThe Penon beach spot is primarily oriented west facing the Atlantic Ocean, making it ideal for a side-on or side-shore wind coming from the northwest or west. In summer, the thermal picks up in the late afternoon around 4-5 PM, oriented north to northwest at 10-18 knots, perfect for smooth sailing. Winter brings gusty west or southwest winds with squalls, but should be absolutely avoided in east, southeast, or northeast winds which make the water surface impractical.
Launching is done directly from the beach, near the Estagnots parking or on the Penon beach itself, but respect the monitored swimming areas in season. The navigation area is wide but shared with surfers, especially on the central peaks; stay near the shore or on the large sand plates that form at high and low tide to avoid conflicts. Launching is easy on the dry beach, with fine sand to place the kite.
The water surface varies with the tides: at low tide, the sandbanks emerge and create flat areas for beginners, while at high tide, the sea rises and the waves grow. Strong lateral current in summer with rip currents forming, and a rocky outcrop may appear to the south depending on the sand accumulation and tide. In conditions of west or northwest swell, expect to share the space with many surfers, especially during peak hours.
The ideal conditions are a northwest side-shore wind at 12-20 knots, with a moderate west swell for a readable water surface. Prefer mid-tide for a good balance between depth and waves.
The water state is often slightly choppy with onshore northwest winds, with waves of 1m in summer and larger in winter up to 2-3m. The sandbanks create flat areas at low tide, but choppy at high tide with side-off winds.
The current is generally lateral and strong in summer, with rip currents forming along the beach. Caution is advised near the channels where it accelerates, especially at low tide. The tides are semi-diurnal with a tidal range of about 3-4 meters.
Opt for sizes from 9 to 11m² in light summer thermal, and 7 to 9m² in winter with stronger winds. Adjust according to your weight and the level of gusts.
The dominant wind regime comes from the northwest or west, with a light summer thermal in the late afternoon. In winter, stronger and gusty west-southwest winds accompany the swells. The local name is "thermal" in summer, reliable from June to September.
The climate of the Landes is oceanic, mild all year round with average temperatures of 10-15°C in winter and 20-25°C in summer. Rainfall is frequent but short, especially in winter with storms. Summer is dry and sunny, ideal for thermal winds.
The depth is gradual with a mostly sandy bottom. You can stand up to 50-100m from the shore at low tide on the sandbanks, then it drops quickly to deep water.
The water is cool in winter around 12-14°C, rises to 16-18°C in spring and autumn, and reaches 20-22°C in summer from July to September.
