Cap Blanc
Cap Blanc is Mauritania's northernmost point, where the coastline juts into the Atlantic and catches NW swells. The wave is a quality right that breaks in front of a seal colony (and yes, sharks are a consideration). This is frontier surfing at its most remote—few surfers have ever ridden these waves.
Cap Blanc surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 350°
- Size range
- 1m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.7m - 2.1m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 60° - 130°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.3m - 1.5m
Water temp
19°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
1/10
Access: Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Cap Blanc?
Cap Blanc is a point break in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Cap Blanc?
Cap Blanc picks up swell from the W round to the N, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.7 to 2.1m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Cap Blanc?
An E wind is dead offshore at Cap Blanc, and anything from the ENE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Cap Blanc?
Cap Blanc is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.3m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Cap Blanc?
The most reliable run of swell at Cap Blanc comes Oct to Mar. There's a second window in Apr and Sep too. Winter NW swells. Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.
How cold is the water at Cap Blanc?
The water at Cap Blanc averages around 19°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Cap Blanc good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 6/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. The lineup is usually quiet (crowd 1/10). Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.
How do I get to Cap Blanc?
The nearest airport on our list is NDB, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.
What other surf spots are near Cap Blanc?
The closest breaks we track are Nouadhibou (17 km), handy when Cap Blanc isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Winter NW swells. Mauritania's northernmost point. Quality when clean.