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 May, Carnon offers relatively small surf conditions with an average swell height of 0.7m and a modest period of 5.7s, making it more suitable for beginners or longboarders rather than high-performance surfing. The most consistent swell direction is from the S, SSE, and SE, contributing the majority of rideable waves in the 0.5-1.5m range. However, the best energy comes from W, WNW, and NW swells, which occasionally produce larger waves (1.5m+) with better shape due to their slightly longer-period energy—though these are less frequent. Wind conditions are only favorable for surfing 15% of the time, with lighter winds (0-20kph) predominantly from N, NNE, or E directions. Stronger onshore winds (WNW, NW) can often degrade wave quality, particularly when paired with larger swells. Overall, May is a hit-or-miss month with small, playful waves on good days but frequent flat spells or blown-out conditions. Advanced surfers will need patience for the rare clean, bigger days.