The surf world can be a perplexing place for beginners.

Everything from the equipment to the lingo and the culture can be intimidating at first. But for many people new to the world of surfing, the trickiest part is knowing where to surf and when.

Book in the wrong season and you might find yourself battling huge waves and terrible weather. Get it right and it may just be the surf adventure of a lifetime.

So how do you avoid the former and guarantee the latter when booking a Hossegor surf trip?

The difference between these two extremes comes down to knowledge.

In this article, your mates here at Southwest Surf House give you the Hossegor surf lowdown so you can choose the best time to book your trip according to the waves and weather conditions

But first!

A snapshot of Hossegor surf for beginners

Positives

+ Water reaches boardshorts/bikini temperatures

+ Lots of different beachbreak options

+ Excellent weather from spring till autumn

+ Amazing summer nightlife

Negatives

- The winter months are grim

- Water temps are frigid from December to April

- Can be crowded in summer

- Lack of point and reef breaks

Hossegor is an amazing surf destination in Europe and one of the few places on the continent that has a year-round surfing season.

That’s thanks to its unique location where Hossegor benefits from the same swells that travel across the Atlantic to hit the coast of Portugal, Spain, Ireland and the UK.

In saying that, there's a massive difference between the waves in the colder months and the waves in the warmer months. We'll cover this more in-depth below, but it's worth noting that while Hossegor has a year-round surf season, it's not always ideal conditions for beginners.

How do we define a "beginner" surfer?

Have you only surfed a handful of times? Are you more comfortable with a foam surfboard than a fibreglass one? Did you only recently learn to stand up?

If you said "Yes" to any of these, then chances are you're a beginner surfer.

You probably have the determination but lack the opportunity to surf good waves year-round, which is why you're considering a Hossegor surf trip. So don't despair at being labelled a "beginner" - it's only a temporary tag until you start shredding green waves.

Besides, we’ve got beginner surfer tips coming out of our you-know-what.

Just remember that learning to surf is a great equaliser! It's humbling for all no matter where you come from or what you do for work. Not to mention that everyone has to start somewhere.

Even the most famous surfers in the world began by catching the whitewash!

What are the ideal conditions for beginners?

How do we decide on the best time for beginners to book a Hossegor surf trip? It all comes down to the conditions.

For beginners, it's all about learning the basics and gaining confidence in a safe environment. This means that the following conditions are great for beginners on a Hossegor surf adventure.

Waves - Small and forgiving

If you only recently picked up a surfboard and rocked a wetsuit, the last thing you want to deal with is big waves.

Not only do they make the whole learn-to-surf experience more challenging than it has to be, but bigger waves for beginners also increase the risk of wiping out. This means that smaller swells with waves that break close to shore are best for beginners on a Hossegor surf trip.

Wind - Gentle offshore or no wind at all

The wind plays a major role in determining the quality of the waves.

Onshore wind is the enemy of surfers as it results in choppy conditions with waves that close out quickly and are difficult to catch. Offshore wind, on the other hand, is a surfer's best friend as it results in cleaner waves that are easier to ride.

For beginners, the optimal wind is offshore or no wind at all. This ensures the waves are smooth and catchable. In saying that, whitewash warriors needn't be too fussed about the wind as it doesn't have an effect on the wave after it's broken.

Crowds - A spaced-out or empty lineup

While surfing with lots of other surfers isn't necessarily a bad thing, most beginners feel more comfortable in a lineup that isn't too crowded.

Sparsely populated lineups decrease the risk of colliding with other surfers (which doesn't happen often but can be a problem in more densely populated spots).

More importantly, though, a spaced-out or empty lineup allows you to catch more waves and improve faster than if you were competing against other surfers - something to consider if you're only surfing in Hossegor for a short period of time!

Weather - Warmish water and blue skies

We'll admit that warm water and blue skies are totally necessary for beginner surfers. But hey... let's be honest.

Nothing makes you feel confident, comfortable and totally in the moment like scoring fun waves in warm water on a cloudless day. There's just something about it that makes the experience a million times better. And we're sure that most beginner surfers would agree!

When are the best months for beginners to book a Hossegor surf trip?

So when exactly should a beginner surfer like yourself book a Hossegor surf trip?

The good news is that the booking window for learn-to-surf hopefuls is quite large.

As we said earlier, there are waves all year round in southwest France and each of the different times of year has its positives and negatives.

For example, while summer is generally considered to be the busiest time of year, it's also when all of the wonderful Hossegor, Seignosse and Capbreton cafes, bars and restaurants are open.

Conversely, early or late-season bookings won't need to worry about battling insane crowds for waves but they will need to consider the fact that not everything is open.

With that in mind, the best times of the year to book for beginners are as follows.

May to July - The early bird's Hossegor surf trip

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to avoid the busyness of peak summer

Ready to shake off those winter doldrums and get in some early-season Hossegor surf? Then May to July is the ideal time for you!

The water is still a bit chilly at this time of year. But that's nothing a good wetsuit can't fix. Plus, you might be surprised by how many bluebird days with smaller waves we get, so don't let the fact that it's not peak season yet scare you off.

That just means there aren't as many peeps in the water to take your waves!

August - The summer lover's Hossegor surf trip

Perfect for: People who love hot weather, parties and epic surf vibes

Yes, August is the busiest time of the year in Hossegor. But the influx of people brings more parties, more open restaurants and more new friends to meet.

In addition, the weather is at its finest and the waves are still fantastic for beginners. You might even sneak a few boardshort or bikini surf sessions if you're lucky!

In short, summer is always a great time to book regardless of the crowds because you know exactly what you're getting - an amazing beginner surf trip to the beautiful southwest of France!

September to October - The dedicated beginner's Hossegor surf trip

Perfect for: People who are committed to surfing as much as possible

The august rush might be over... but somebody forgot to tell us that! Yes, most of the vacationing families and Instagram-addicted city dwellers have left town, but the surf crew is just arriving.

This means that September and October are low-key some of the best months to be in Hossegor surfing.

Some days will be beginner-friendly and perfect for you and your mates. Other days might be bigger and wilder, but they give you a unique opportunity to watch local and travelling shredders alike do their thing!

Either way, it's worth visiting this time of year. And when combined with the fact that the water is at its warmest in September, it's easy to see why this is the perfect time to book a Hossegor surf trip for beginners!

So that's it!

If you're wondering when is the best time to book a Hossegor surf trip, we hope this guide has helped you out. Just remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the waves!

Hossegor is an amazing place for beginners and we're sure you'll love it no matter when you visit.