He was the brother and lieutenant of one of France's most famous and successful privateers, Robert Surcouf.

[2] On 3 January 1800, she detected two American 16-carronade ships forming a line of battle, which Surcouf engaged.

Nicolas led a 30-man boarding party to seize Louisa, while Mercury escaped.

Nicolas Surcouf took a prize crew and sailed Louisa back to Port Louis.

Nicholas captured the ships Waldegrave and Commerce in the Indian Ocean, and Melville and Prince de Galles in the Gulf of Bengal[Note 1] On 30 August 1815, Nicolas Surcouf joined the brig Amitié, under Captain Beaudouin.