To find the best surfing spots in the Basque Country, on the French side, you must first understand the area. There are spots around six towns in the Atlantic Pyrenees. From north to south there is the area of Anglet, Biarritz, then Bidart and Géthary, and finally the areas of Saint-Jean de Luz and Hendaye.
Surf spots in Biarritz
The Basque country is the land of surfing. It even seems that Biarritz was the first place where surfing was imported! The surfing area of the city of Biarritz offers beautiful spots which are sometimes just crowded. Especially during the school holidays and summer.
1. The big beach, Biarritz “Grande Plage”
The wave of the “Grande Plage” in Biarritz is a mythical spot that is very pleasant to surf. This spot is located right in the middle of the town, and it works at half tide (rising or falling).
When the tide is entirely high, the wave breaks directly on the beach and it then becomes impassable. At low tide, it is possible to surf a few waves depending on the swell.
Our advice: only go there to surf please avoid July and august. And better to surf in the morning.
2. The Basque Coast, is one of the best spots in the Basque Country.
In the continuation of Ilbaritz up towards Biarritz, you will find a similar but much more overloaded wave. Here, as with all sand waves of the Basque Country, you can surf only at low tide.
A great place to surf is located south of the main beach of Biarritz. This place is popular with locals and beginners alike. A superb spot unfortunately really “too easy” to access. Be careful when it’s big, and at high tide, the exit of the water can be tricky.
So use the ladders along the dyke to get out of the water.
3. Ilbarritz
The only black spot in this spot is its car park, which is relatively off the beach. It is best to avoid leaving too much material in the boot of your car.
The spot does not work at high tide. On the other hand, the wave is adorable because the beach of Ilbaritz catches the swell very well.
Right and left waves roll on the sand. The spot is located below the Blue Cargo bar.
Surf spots around Saint-Jean de Luz
4. Lafitenia in Saint-Jean de Luz, one of the best spots in the Basque Country
This spot works almost all the time except at high tide. To know if the spot works, make sure that the period between waves is long enough! When it’s big, the spot is usually crowded with Spanish and experienced surfers!
And when it does work the wave that rolls only to the right is exceptionally long. No bar to pass, but it is better to plan aboard a little thick to row more comfortably. Even on a longboard, it takes a long time to get back to the peak. The Lafiténia wave can sometimes roll out over a hundred meters.
Erromardie, the alternative to the Lafiténia spot
Still in the same area, going south, we find the sport of Erromardy. A spot that is surfed between low and mid-tide. This wave is relatively soft, except in winter when the sets can be very consistent.
Mayarco, a capricious wave
This surf spot is located north of St. Jean de Luz, between the waves of Lafiténia and Cenitz. This spot has an excellent capacity to catch the swell, but unfortunately, this wave tends to close relatively quickly.
After a specific size, the spot saturates quickly. This wave is usually surfed at low tide, due to the sandstone evolution of the sandbanks.
As for Cenitz, it can be useful to come and study the bottom at low tide before jumping into the water.
5. Cenitz (between Guéthary and Acotz)
It is undoubtedly the most tricky spot to apprehend because of its rocky bottom. A spot that is surfed only at mid-tide. When it’s big, it’s better to pass your turn, because the wave closes too fast.
6. Sainte-Barbe, a fallback spot for longboarding and stand-up paddle.
On days when the swell starts to be really impressive, a wave appears inside the bay of Saint-Jean de Luz. A calm and slightly soft wave that rolls out over a little more than a hundred meters. To be able to surf it, you need a board with a maximum volume, i.e. at least 9 feet.
You can access it from the bay of Saint-Jean de Luz at the level of the Casino car park.
The candle
Entirely on the left side of Soccoa Beach is another fallback spot (just in front of André Hiriart alley). A spot that is usually taken by storm by the stand-up paddles. This wave is simply named after the beacon next to it. A soft wave, excellent for surfing, especially on days with strong swells when the Basque coast turns into a giant slaughterhouse.
Surf spots in Guéthary
Guéthary is a bit of an exception because the waves here are quite big and very demanding. A lot of rowing to reach the peak and then you have to manage the size, the current, and the series that come in every 10 to 20 minutes.
7. Parlementia, Guethary
This is the wholesale spot on the Basque coast. A straight line unrolls on the high background. A lot of currents, a lot of waiting between series, and it takes a good twenty minutes of rowing to reach the peak.
This spot is very demanding, the atmosphere in the water is not very good, and there are many other places better to surf before getting on this wave!
8. Les Alcyons, the other big spot of the Basque country
This lesser-known spot in the Basque country is also located in Guéthary just opposite Lafiténia. This wave only unfolds when there is a lot of swells around three or four meters. Les Alcyons is, therefore, a prominent spot that holds the swell well and can be surfed up to 6 or 7 meters.
If the Parlementia wave rolls to the right, Les Alcyons only rolls to the left. A wave that rolls on a rocky bottom and is very powerful and very demanding.
Beware, the wave does not often work, and sessions between November and March should be preferred. This spot is reserved for experienced and highly trained surfers. In case of a fall, it is necessary to have breath and good physical condition to get out of it.
Surf spots around Anglet
Anglet’s spots work very well up to two meters. Beyond that, a bar is formed, a little bit like for all the spots of the Landes coast and it then becomes complicated to get into the water to surf.
9. La Madrague, Anglet
This spot is a charming and crowded beach break. Nevertheless, the waves break quite close to the shore.
When there is little swell, it is the ideal place to catch some waves.
Here one surfs on the sand at high tide.
On the other hand, when there are more than two meters, you have to row a lot, and the bar is quite difficult to pass.
10. Les Cavaliers, Anglet
It is also one of the locals’ favorite waves. Tom Curren is a regular visitor to this spot.
On the program, two tubular waves, a right wave that starts along the seawall and a peak that goes right and left just in front of the first-aid post.
This spot hosts competitions such as the ” Billabong pro-Anglet Mundaka ” and the ” O’Neil Surf Challenge “.
11. VVF, Anglet
This spot is located right in front of a holiday village; hence the eponymous name was given to this spot.
A left scrolls along the per.
And if you go a little further north, you will find peaks that run to the right and left.
Note that the surfing area is charming!
Where to surf in Hendaye?
The surfing area in Hendaye is divided into two parts. On one side there is the large beach of Hendaye. A beach of more than three kilometers long with peaks everywhere. A wave that is usually surfed at low tide. And then the other surfing area is on the wild coast at low tide depending on the swell and the sandbanks.
12. The big beach, Hendaye
When the swell is huge, there is only one solution, to go to the Hendaye fallback spot.
Beware as everywhere, the spot does not work at high tide, and at low tide, the size of the waves tends to drop considerably. Then the swell ends up disappearing entirely at low tide (except in case of strong swell).
The advantage of this beach is that it is vast, and it has many peaks.
This spot is also ideal to start surfing! If you don’t want to lug around a longboard in the summer, you can rent an 8 or 9-foot foam board for ten or twenty euros right in front of the spot.
13. The wild coast between Hendaye and Urrugne
This part of the coast between Hendaye and Saint-Jean de Luz is full of spots. So take the time to spot the bottoms according to the tides on days when there are no waves, it will make you pass the time.
The case of Belharra
For those who wish to observe Belharra on days with huge swells, just go to the Corniche (the wild coast between Saint-Jean de Luz and Hendaye). With a good pair of binoculars, you should be able to see one of the biggest waves on the planet. A wave that breaks just over two kilometers from the coast and is only accessible by jetski (towed surf).
Surfing in Bidart
As is often the case, we save the best for last. In the Bidart area, there are two spots and enough peaks to dilute the flow of surfers.
14. The 100 steps, a fantastic spot at Bidart
A lovely spot at half tide, it goes right and left—quite a lot of people in the water. Beware there is quite a lot of current, and a dike cuts the spot in two at half tide.
When it’s significant the bar is quite difficult to pass especially at low tide. You will have understood that this spot is surfed between low and mid tide.
Definitely, the 100 steps spot is really one of the best spots in the Basque country. Note that this spot is also called Erretegia.
15. The great beach of Bidart for beginners
Still in Bidart, the possible alternative to the “100 steps spot” is a large beach with several peaks. A wave that is very easy to access since you can see the beach from the national road. Ideal for beginners, this spot sometimes has the disadvantage of being a little too exposed to the wind. Nevertheless, it is accessible to all levels and is ideal for beginners.
Always try to surf in the morning. Because usually in the afternoon the wind is too strong and onshore.
A spot to surf without moderation between low and mid-tide.
Photo credits: Night stopover – Yann Vernerie