Typical "Landaise" beach. Sand dunes will hide the ocean from the city, the street and the parking…read morelot. When you walk to the top of the sand dune on the paved road you will discover the beach and ocean from the look-out. North of "La Piste" you will see multiple dynamited World War II Blockhaus (bunkers). The Northern bunkers mark the limit with the next beach "La Santocha".
Usually the swimming zone is right in front of the look-out and is open:
- 7 days/week during the Summer season (from end of June to beginning of September)
- from 11h00 to 19h00.
In Landes département (country subdivision smaller than région), it is not allowed to surf in the swimming zone. It is not really a problem as swimming zones are usually quite small. You should also always surf with a leash.
Beware: I am a surfer so my review is a bit biased maybe. I am also a father of 2 girls 3 and 6 years old.
Please respect the ocean, the beach and your neighbor. Do not litter, use the trash bins, do not throw your cigarettes on the beach, do not break glass on the beach.
The Good:
- My favorite beach. I started surfing at "La Santocha" North of "La Piste" but after a year or two of surfing I preferred "La Piste". In Capbreton, the Souther you go (the further from the harbor sea walls), the better the waves are.
- Not crowded. Crowd goes to more central beaches closer to the pier and the casino.
- Natural and a little secluded. Except the WW2 bunkers, you mostly see the ocean, the beach and the dunes. They are no urban amenities.
- In 15 years I have never had my stuff stolen on the beach. Also I am a surfer, so thieves might not steal from a surfer. I guess it would be safer for a thief to steal from a regular tourist.
- The swimming zone is secured by French MNS (Maitre Nageur Sauveteur: lifeguard).
- Shower available at the sand dune look-out.
- Big bike parking lot. So ride your bike! (It could be bigger though).
- French style beach with women topless. If you are puritan, you might be shocked a bit. Go to "Culs nus" beaches between Hossegor and Seignosse to have a bigger shock at these naked beaches.
- Large and soft sand: make it very competitive to run and play beach sports. I love it to play volley ball and dive on it personally.
The Not so good:
- Not urban friendly: If you are urban and like to have amenities on the beach, this is not the place for you. There is no snack nearby. The restrooms are on the parking lot (yes you have to walk over the sand dune).
- Small parking lot for cars: ride your bike! The parking lot is quite small and does not have any shade (you will melt in your car...). So easy solution: ride your bike. That's what I have been doing for ever. Even with surfboards and 2 young kids with the help of a trailer (with "San Diego" California fake licence plate).
- Huge traffic jam to go to the beach in afternoons. This is valid for all beaches in Capbreton, Hossegor and Seignosse. So guess what? Yes, ride your bike!
- Capbreton has narrow beaches, particularly at high tide. This is because of the harbor. Its sea walls generate a current that displaces the sand from Capbreton to Hossegor and Seignosse. In comparison the beaches are huge in Hossegor and Seignosse. Check the difference from the point of view of the sea walls, you will see how far Hossegor's Notre-Dame beach goes toward the ocean compare to Capbreton's beach.
The Bad:
- Dangerous place to swim. Particularly for kids and adults who do not swim well. Waves and beaches in les Landes are treacherous. Be careful of the shore break () at high tide, it can knock you out on the sand.
- Ebb tide and baïnes: South-West of France beaches have the dangerous "baïne" feature. At high tide, high volume of water can accumulate between the sand bar and the beach. And when the tide lowers, this volume has to go out and it generates a strong water current to the sea. When you get caught in any current, don't fight it. Try to signal your situation to people on the beach or boats and swim perpendicular to the direction of the current if you can.
- The Norther you go in Capbreton (the closer to the harbor and its sea walls) the less dangerous the beaches are and smaller the waves. Hossegor has a lake if you prefer calm water (but muddier sand).
