Carnon - surf spot statistics

Carnon, France, offers varying surf conditions throughout the year, with the best months for surfers typically being autumn and winter when swell activity is more consistent and wind conditions, though often challenging, occasionally align favorably. From November to February, the swell size averages around 1.0m, with ground swell percentages peaking at 20-25%, providing the most reliable waves. However, wind conditions are generally poor during this period, with good winds occurring only 10-14% of the time, meaning offshore or light winds are rare. The highest likelihood of ground swell occurs in January and February, but the majority of days still experience wind swell or no swell at all. Spring and summer (April to August) see smaller swells (0.6-0.8m) and an increased frequency of wind swell, making conditions less ideal. September and October bring a slight improvement with rising ground swell percentages and manageable swell sizes (0.6-0.8m), though wind conditions remain suboptimal. Overall, the best windows for surfing Carnon are late autumn (October-November) and early winter (December-February) when swell energy is higher, but surfers should be prepared for frequent onshore winds. The summer months are generally poor due to small swells and inconsistent conditions, making them less suitable for advanced surfers. For the most promising sessions, target days in the colder months with the rare combination of ground swell and favorable winds.

In March, Carnon experiences relatively small but rideable surf, with an average swell height of 0.9m and a decent period of 6.4s, suggesting somewhat organized waves despite the modest size. The best swell directions come from the south and southeast, with the SE-SSE-S directions providing the majority of waves in the 0.5-1.5m range, ideal for intermediate surfers. WNW and W swells occasionally bring larger waves (1.5-2.5m+), though less frequently. Wind conditions are often challenging, with only 14% of the time being ideal (light offshore or sideshore winds). The dominant winds are from the NW-N-NNE, frequently blowing at 10-30kph, which can create chop or cross-shore conditions. Spring winds (SSE-SE) occasionally improve the surface, but strong NW winds are common and disruptive. Overall, March offers occasional clean, small-to-medium sessions, particularly when south swells coincide with lighter winds, though patience and timing are key due to the inconsistent conditions.