La Salie is located in Gironde, and it serves as a good introduction to surfing in the Landes region. This spot has shifting sandbars that can change quite a bit, so it’s essential to pay attention to where the best breaks are at any given time. There are two main access points, with the most reliable banks found next to the 800-meter long wharf. Just north of that, you can find some decent bodyboard shorebreak. If you keep going down the beach, there are more banks near the blockhaus, which can also offer some fun waves.
The surf here works best with a swell coming from the west, but it can handle swells from the southwest and northwest too. It handles swell sizes starting from about 1 foot (0.3 meters) and breaks over sand, making it pretty forgiving. You’ll find both left and right waves, which is good for trying different angles. The ideal wind comes from the east, and low to mid tide works best for catching some decent waves. It's worth noting that this spot is better suited for intermediate surfers, so if you're still learning, you might want to head to somewhere more mellow.
Getting to La Salie involves a walk from the parking lot, which takes about 15 minutes. Despite the slightly lengthy trek, it can still get pretty crowded out in the water. If the conditions aren't great for surfing, you can check out the dune du Pyla, which boasts the highest dunes in Europe at 117 meters. It's a great backup plan if you find yourself with some time on your hands and the waves aren’t cooperating.