Tarnos – Le Métro

Tarnos · Landes · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Tarnos – Le Métro (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/tarnos-metro.

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The Plage du Métro is the main surf beach of Tarnos, close to Bayonne and north of the Adour river jetty. Its regular, powerful beach-break waves suit beginners in the lifeguarded zone and more experienced surfers on the banks to the south, where the beach turns wild and is used mostly by surfers. Surf schools work from the square behind the beach. Water quality can suffer after heavy rain because of the nearby river.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, spring, winter
Boards
A shortboard.

When it works

✓ A 1–2.5 m west to northwest swell from low to mid tide with an easterly wind.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide, a closing-out swell, onshore wind, or the days after heavy rain.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • pollution
  • localism

Best months

January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Walk south along the beach to find less crowded banks. The local crew is protective, so be courteous and take care with your car. Avoid the water for a day or two after big rain.

Getting there

Drive to Tarnos-Océan and park near the Place du Métro, which has a tourist office, toilets, a snack bar and a surf school; cycle paths through the pines link it to Bayonne and Capbreton.

History

The beach owes its name to a holiday camp bought in 1936 by the union of the Paris Métro workers, which ran children's summer camps there until 1995; the name became official in 1977.

Travel notes

How often it works
The Métro gets the full swell and works on most west swells. Walk south along the beach and you will usually find other sandbanks.
Crowd and vibe
Wannasurf reports few surfers on weekdays and crowds at weekends. The local crew is protective, so be polite in the water and careful with your car.
Camping and vans
Camping Jobel is the nearest campsite, about 2.5 km from the sea. It is open mid-March to early November and has motorhome pitches. Campervans often use the free beach car park by day. Nearest campsite about 2.5 km away.
Facilities
Place du Métro has a tourist office, toilets, a snack bar and restaurant, a surf school and lifeguards in July and August.
Water quality
Both of Tarnos' bathing sites are rated excellent in the official French rating (national open data, 2022). But wannasurf lists pollution as a danger this close to the Adour river. Stay out for a day or two after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, WSW–N works
Size
1.2–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–SSE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high
Faces
WNW (297°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Landes · All spots

Sources