AI-generatedArcachon at a glance
- Best time
- Jul – Aug
- Warmest month
- Aug · 26°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 21.6°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,120 h
- Rain a year
- 853 mm
- Climate
- Temperate
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 5 m
Climate in Arcachon
Arcachon has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 26 °C, while January is the coolest at 11 °C. With around 2,120 hours of sunshine a year, Arcachon is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 8.3 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: July – August
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 14°
- Midday, 13:00: about 19°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 20°
- Evening, 20:00: about 17°
- Night, 23:00: about 16°
08:1819:22
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 08:00–08:58 · evening 18:43–19:40
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:49–08:00 · evening 19:40–19:52
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Arcachon in October?
In October, Arcachon is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 18.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 4 min08:18 – 19:22
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 58 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Paris
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %12 %
- Seaweight 25 %17 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %32 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %51 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Wetsuit for longer swims
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in Arcachon
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 16.9 – 19.1 °C
Swimming season: Jul – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Arcachon ranges from 11.8 °C in February to 21.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
From November to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 20.7 and 22.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 12.5° | 11.6° | 13.4° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 11.8° | 11.2° | 12.6° | cold |
| MarchMar | 12.0° | 11.2° | 12.7° | cold |
| AprilApr | 13.3° | 12.5° | 14.4° | cold |
| MayMay | 15.8° | 14.9° | 16.6° | cold |
| JuneJun | 18.8° | 18.1° | 20.0° | fresh |
| JulyJul | 20.8° | 19.8° | 21.7° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 21.6° | 20.7° | 22.4° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 20.4° | 19.4° | 21.5° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 18.2° | 16.9° | 19.1° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 15.8° | 14.7° | 16.8° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 13.7° | 12.9° | 14.8° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Arcachon
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 4.9 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Arcachon, 44 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 14 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Arcachon
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 45 min
- Fair skin
- about 55 min
- Light brown skin
- about 75 min
- Olive skin
- about 95 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Arcachon: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Arcachon has about 11 rainy days with 80 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Arcachon
How breezy and how cloudy Arcachon is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Arcachon typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Oct – May.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 58 % of the sky over Arcachon: variable cloud, with about 4.9 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Arcachon
How often the day gets hot in Arcachon (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Arcachon has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 20 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Arcachon
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 13°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (5°), the warmest in August (18°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from December to March, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 7 | 11° | 5° | 12.5° | 3.1 h | 13 | 88 |
| FebruaryFeb | 14 | 12° | 5° | 11.8° | 4.1 h | 11 | 67 |
| MarchMar | 18 | 15° | 7° | 12.0° | 5.6 h | 11 | 64 |
| AprilApr | 21 | 17° | 9° | 13.3° | 6.6 h | 12 | 63 |
| MayMay | 33 | 20° | 13° | 15.8° | 7.4 h | 11 | 65 |
| JuneJun | 65 | 24° | 16° | 18.8° | 8.1 h | 9 | 64 |
| JulyJul | 81 | 26° | 18° | 20.8° | 8.3 h | 8 | 40 |
| AugustAug | 83 | 26° | 18° | 21.6° | 8.1 h | 8 | 51 |
| SeptemberSep | 66 | 24° | 16° | 20.4° | 7.1 h | 9 | 59 |
| OctoberOct | 25 | 20° | 13° | 18.2° | 4.9 h | 11 | 80 |
| NovemberNov | 6 | 14° | 9° | 15.8° | 3.3 h | 14 | 116 |
| DecemberDec | 7 | 11° | 6° | 13.7° | 2.8 h | 13 | 97 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
44.66° N, 1.17° W · 5 m · Europe/Paris
Best time to visit Arcachon
The best time to visit Arcachon is from July to August. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go in August. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to October. Rain is most frequent from November to January; the wettest month is November with 116 mm.
Arcachon through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Arcachon in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 15–20 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Arcachon in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 24–26 °C by day
- Sea 20 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 25 rainy days in all
Arcachon in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 14–24 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 34 rainy days in all
Arcachon in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 11–12 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Arcachon for you.
Your best months: July – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Arcachon
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Arcachon: score 83 against 25. In August, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 3 °C warmer in August. August has 3 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 25 | 83better |
| Day high | 20° | 26° |
| Night low | 13° | 18° |
| Sea | 18.2° | 21.6° |
| Sunshine | 4.9 h | 8.1 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 11 | 8better |
| Rainfall | 80 mm | 51 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 5 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Aug
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Nov – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Arcachon month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
7January11° · Sea 13° · 3 h
In January, Arcachon is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 12.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 88 mm in total. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in January14February12° · Sea 12° · 4 h
In February, Arcachon is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 11.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 67 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in February18March15° · Sea 12° · 6 h
In March, Arcachon is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in March21April17° · Sea 13° · 7 h
In April, Arcachon is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 13.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in April33May20° · Sea 16° · 7 h
In May, Arcachon is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 65 mm in total. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in May65June24° · Sea 19° · 8 h
In June, Arcachon is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 18.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 64 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in June81July26° · Sea 21° · 8 h
In July, Arcachon is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 20.8 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 40 mm. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in July83August26° · Sea 22° · 8 h
In August, Arcachon is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 21.6 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 51 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in August66September24° · Sea 20° · 7 h
In September, Arcachon is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 20.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 59 mm. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in September25October20° · Sea 18° · 5 h
In October, Arcachon is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 18.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 80 mm in total. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in October6November14° · Sea 16° · 3 h
In November, Arcachon is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 116 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in November7December11° · Sea 14° · 3 h
In December, Arcachon is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 13.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 97 mm in total. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Arcachon.
Arcachon in DecemberArcachon compared
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Arcachon vs. Bordeaux
In October the holiday weather in Arcachon and Bordeaux is about equally good (score 25 vs. 27). During the day it is about as warm in Bordeaux as in Arcachon. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Arcachon | Bordeaux |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 25 | 27 |
| Daytime high | 20° | 20° |
| Sea | 18° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 11 | 10 |
| Best time | Jul – Aug | May – Sep |
Through the year
France in October: the best places
In October, Arcachon ranks 22 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Perpignan21°82
- 2Narbonne20°80
- 3Toulouse20°75
- 4Carcassonne19°73
- 5Béziers20°73
- 6Montpellier20°73
- 7Bordeaux20°18°72
- 8Pau19°70
- 22ArcachonThis page20°18°25
Planning a trip to Arcachon
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Arcachon in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Arcachon has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 82) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 7).
- 20
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 39
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 21 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 7.5 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 82
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 8.2 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 25
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 18 °C
- 4.9 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 7
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 11 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3.0 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 25 min
- Distance
- 760 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Arcachon
When is the best time to visit Arcachon?
The best time to visit Arcachon is from July to August. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Arcachon?
The sea temperature in Arcachon ranges from 11.8 °C in February to 21.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
Can you swim in Arcachon in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 18.2 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from July to September.
What is the warmest month in Arcachon?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 26 °C and nights around 18 °C. January is the coolest month at 11 °C.
When does it rain most in Arcachon?
Rain is most frequent from November to January; the wettest month is November with 116 mm. The driest month is July with 40 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Arcachon get?
Arcachon gets around 2,120 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 8.3 hours a day; in December there are 2.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Arcachon in?
Arcachon uses the time zone Europe/Paris: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Arcachon?
A nonstop flight from London to Arcachon takes about 1 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 760 km.
Which school holidays are best for Arcachon?
Arcachon has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 82) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 7). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 20, May half-term 39, Summer holidays 82, October half-term 25, Christmas holidays 7.
Near Arcachon
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Arcachon
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Arcachon's – good alternatives.