#585 European Rank
Plage du Cap Ferret
Arcachon Bay, France•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Grand Parc - Bordeaux, France from France (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.23/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
21.5°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€63/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 Plage du Cap Ferret: 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) · Arcachon Bay, France
Refreshing
Early August
21.5°C
Air ~31°C
Comfortable for active swimming; brisk initial entry
Brisk initial immersion; comfortable for sustained active swimming. Ideal for morning laps and water sports.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 21.5°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.4°C | 17°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 11.7°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 11.9°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 13.1°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 15.5°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 18.4°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 20.7°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| August | 21.5°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| September | 20.2°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| October | 18.0°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 15.6°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 13.6°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all France Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 27 Jul – 27 Aug (>21°C) · 31 days
Planning around peak water warmth (21.5°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Plage du Cap Ferret for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
Share with your group
Send today's water temperature, wind shelter, and beach access straight into your chat.
Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Plage du Cap Ferret (Arcachon Bay, France)
🌊 Water temperature: 21.5°C
⛱️ Beach access: 85% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€40
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/plage-du-cap-ferret-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: Good
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 Plage du Cap Ferret
The wild ocean side of the chic Cap Ferret peninsula, all Atlantic surf, oyster shacks and pine forest.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Accessible via D106 road, bicycle network across the peninsula, or the historic Cap Ferret tourist train (Petit Train)
•Protected Status / Environment: Coastal dune conservation zone of the Arcachon Basin peninsula
•Notable Feature: Dual-coastline peninsula offering wild Atlantic surf beaches (Plage de l'Horizon) and tranquil Arcachon bay beaches with views of Dune du Pilat
Official Tourism Authorities:bassindarcachon.com
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
NoGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Arcachon Bay. Accessible via regional coastal roads (44.628°N, -1.245°E).
•Strong Atlantic surf and currents on the ocean side.
•The ocean side of a chic pine-and-oyster peninsula opposite the Dune du Pilat.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Arcachon Bay, France.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Plage du Cap Ferret?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plage du Cap Ferret
What is the water temperature at Plage du Cap Ferret?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Plage du Cap Ferret averages 21.5°C (71°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Plage du Cap Ferret?
Plage du Cap Ferret is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Arcachon Bay, France.
Is Plage du Cap Ferret good for families with kids?
Plage du Cap Ferret has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Plage du Cap Ferret?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
More Beaches in FranceRegional Guide
4.8
Corsica (Porto-Vecchio), France•Mediterranean Sea
Clearest water in Mediterranean Sea
25.4°C sea
75/day
White Sand
29°C• Kids
Stays from €75/n
4.7
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Cassis), France•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in France (Aug)
25.4°C sea
45/day
Pebbles
28°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.7
Corsica (Porto-Vecchio), France•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in France (Aug)
25.4°C sea
75/day
White Sand
29°C• Kids
Stays from €75/n
4.6
Corsica (Agriates Desert), France•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Cheapest day in France · €40/day
25.4°C sea
40/day
White Sand
29°C• Kids
Stays from €40/nWarmest European Beaches this SeasonNOAA Climatology
4.7
Alanya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
44/day
Golden Sand
37°C• Kids
Stays from €44/n
4.5
Antalya, Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
2nd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
29°C sea
43/day
Pebbles
37°C• Kids
Stays from €43/n
4.8
Antalya (Kalkan), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Warmest water in Mediterranean Sea (Aug)
28.9°C sea
45/day
White Sand
32°C• Kids
Stays from €45/n
4.8
Antalya (Kemer), Turkey•Mediterranean Sea
3rd Longest swim season in Mediterranean Sea · 200 days
28.9°C sea
20/day
White Sand
33°C• Kids
Stays from €20/n