#503 European Rank
La Graviere
Soorts-Hossegor, Landes, France•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: September, October
Photo: KaiKemmann (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.36/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.1°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€65/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for La Graviere: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Soorts-Hossegor, Landes, France
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.1°C
Air ~32°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 22.1°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.6°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.0°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 12.4°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 13.6°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 15.9°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 18.9°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 21.2°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.1°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 20.7°C | 30°C | Refreshing |
| October | 18.3°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 15.7°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 13.7°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all France Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 12 Jul – 8 Sep (>21°C) · 58 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.1°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near La Graviere for the optimal September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ La Graviere (Soorts-Hossegor, Landes, France)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.1°C
⛱️ Beach access: 85% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€40
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/la-graviere-fr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About La Graviere
One of the planet's finest beach-break barrels, drawing the pro surf tour to Hossegor's shifting sandbanks each autumn.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Dune boardwalk access north of Place des Landais in Soorts-Hossegor with parking.
•Protected Status / Environment: Protected Atlantic coastal dune zone in the Landes department.
•Notable Feature: World-famous heavy shorebreak wave generating cylindrical tube barrels for international surfing competitions.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (85%)Private Concessions (15%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€20low season→€40August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: French coastal decree guarantees uninterrupted free public access along the entire littoral zone.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Soorts-Hossegor, Landes. Accessible via regional coastal roads (43.674°N, -1.441°E).
•Dangerous, heavy shorebreak and rips, strong swimmers only.
•Open Landes dune coast lined with pine forest.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Soorts-Hossegor, Landes, France.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at La Graviere?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about La Graviere
What is the water temperature at La Graviere?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at La Graviere averages 22.1°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is La Graviere?
La Graviere is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Soorts-Hossegor, Landes, France.
Is La Graviere good for families with kids?
Yes, La Graviere is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at La Graviere?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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