La Torche - surf spot statistics

La Torche, France, is a exposed beach break that works best with groundswell and offshore winds. The optimal surfing conditions are found during the autumn and winter months, particularly from October to February, when groundswell dominates (58% to 88%) and swell heights are consistently strong (1.9m to 2.7m). November through January stands out as the peak season, offering the largest waves (2.2m to 2.7m) and the highest likelihood of groundswell. However, wind conditions during these months are frequently onshore or cross-shore (bad winds 80%+ of the time), making clean surf days rare. Spring (March to May) sees diminishing swell size (1.6m to 2.1m) but slightly improved wind conditions (good winds 22% to 26%), while summer (June to August) brings smaller, wind-driven swells (1.2m) and still mostly unfavorable winds. September and October can offer a decent compromise, with increasing groundswell (42% to 58%) and marginally better wind chances (23% to 26%). If you're chasing power and consistency, focus on winter despite the wind challenges, but if you prefer slightly cleaner conditions with smaller waves, late spring or early autumn may provide better opportunities.

February at La Torche delivers solid surf conditions with an average swell height of 2.5m and a dominant period of 12.6s, indicating powerful, well-spaced waves. The primary swell direction is from the west (W and WSW), contributing the most to waves in the 1.5m–2.5m range (over 20% combined occurrence), with a notable portion of larger swells exceeding 2.5m (1.5–3% from W/WSW). This creates consistent, cleanly shaped waves, ideal for intermediate to advanced surfers. Wind conditions are less favorable, with only 20% of days offering ideal offshore or light cross-shore winds (likely from ENE/E/ESE). However, stronger onshore winds (SW/WSW/W) are frequent, especially in the 20–40kph range (5–10% occurrence each), which can create choppy or messy surf. Expect a mix of clean and rough sessions, with the best conditions occurring when winds align from the east. Overall, February provides reliable swell energy, but wind management is key—wait for lighter easterly winds to maximize quality.