Looking to surf during your visit to Arcachon?
You're in the right place! It's On Surf School organises daily surf lessons, from the beginning of April until the first week of November, just 10 minutes from the famous Dune du Pilat and 50 minutes from Bordeaux by train.
Our instructors speak English, our group sizes are small (8 students max per instructor), and everything is included - transport from Arcachon, surfboard, wetsuit, and insurance.
Whether you're surfing for the first time or are looking to improve your technique, whether you're coming alone or with friends or family, we'll have you riding waves in no time 🌊
Ready to surf? Book your lesson online here.
Looking for some more information? Continue scrolling to learn more about our group surf lesson prices, where we surf, and more!
📍The Surf Spot
Our surf spot, La Salie, is a wide, sandy beach located about 20 minutes from Arcachon and about 10 minutes from the Dune du Pilat by car. It's an ideal spot for beginners - sandy bottom, no rocks, and miles of wild, undeveloped beach. It also tends to be far less crowded than other popular spots on the French Atlantic coast. Depending on the surf forecast, we sometimes venture a little farther south, to Vivier, which is a similar spot.
We pick you up directly from Arcachon / Pyla-sur-Mer / La Teste de Buch, and bring you there and back. No car needed, but if you do have a car, you're welcome to join us at the beach too! Here are our pickup locations:
Lesson prices
All prices include transport to/from Arcachon, Pyla-sur-Mer, La Teste de Buch, surfboard, wetsuit & insurance.
Low season pricing (April-June & September-early November)
1 lesson
3-day course
5-day course
50€
139€
200€
Groups: school groups, tours
Planning a trip to Arcachon or Bordeaux? Add a surf lesson to your trip - it's the highlight of every trip! See our Group Bookings page for more information or contact us directly for a quote: itsonsurf@gmail.com | +33 (0)6 75 38 70 49 (we speak English)
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any experience?
Not at all! Many of our students are first time surfers. Our instructors adapt according to your experience, whether it's your first time on a surfboard or you've already surfed a few, or beaucoup, times before. We welcome surfers of all levels and experience.
Do your instructors speak English?
Yes! Our team is very comfortable teaching in English. If we have a mix of English and French speakers, the instructor will always speak with you in English.
Can my kids join?
Absolutely! We offer lessons for children 8 years and older and we also organise family lessons, if you want to surf all together.
What should I bring?
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring along a towel, a bottle of water, a snack, and any other beach essentials you may need (sunscreen, hat, jacket, etc). We provide the surfboard, wetsuit, and all other equipment you may need.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If there's just a bit of rain, we surf anyway - a few raindrops don't make much of a difference once you're in the water anyway! If the weather or surf conditions are too dangerous to surf (thunderstorms, big swell, etc), we will work with you to reschedule the lesson or refund you if we can't reschedule. Our instructors keep a close eye on the forecast and they make the decision if we can or can't surf. Your safety is our priority!