Surfing in the Basque Country: spots on the Basque coast, from Anglet to Hendaye
Surfing reached France in the Basque Country, in Biarritz, at the end of the 1950s. Between Anglet and Hendaye, the Basque coast mixes long sandy beaches, reefs and points: you can learn on Hendaye’s main beach in the morning and watch experienced surfers at Parlementia in the afternoon.
This guide presents the surf spots of the Basque Country town by town, the season, the water temperature and the spots for beginners.
At a glance: surfing in the Basque Country
| Level | All levels depending on the spot: Hendaye, the Côte des Basques and Bidart with a small swell to start; Les Cavaliers, Marinella and La Madrague to improve; Parlementia, Lafitenia and Belharra for experienced surfers |
| Wave type | Beach breaks, reefs and points |
| Bottom | Sand, or sand and rock depending on the spot |
| Water | About 12 to 14 °C from December to March, 21 to 22 °C in July and August, 18 to 19 °C in October |
| Wetsuit | Shorty or 2 mm in midsummer, 4/3 in winter |
| Getting there | Biarritz-Pays Basque airport, about 2.5 km from central Biarritz; Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye stations |
Why surf in the Basque Country?
The Basque coast is short, but very varied. In the north, Anglet lines up about 4.5 km of sandy beaches, from the Chambre d’Amour to La Barre. Biarritz has the Côte des Basques, the birthplace of surfing in France. In the south, Guéthary and Saint-Jean-de-Luz have reef waves that need swell, and Hendaye closes the coast with a long sheltered beach, easy for beginners.
Surfing here has a history: in 1956, during the filming of “The Sun Also Rises” in Biarritz, screenwriter Peter Viertel surfed at the Côte des Basques. He came back the following year with boards, and the Waïkiki Surf Club was founded in 1959.
Surf camps and surf lessons in the Basque Country
Most big beaches have surf schools. For a first surf lesson in the Basque Country, go to the Côte des Basques or to Hendaye’s main beach: there are many schools and the waves are gentle with a small swell. A surf camp bundles accommodation, lessons and gear, handy for a first week; a school is enough if you already have your accommodation.
Do you run a surf camp in the Basque Country?
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List my surf campWhen to go surfing in the Basque Country?
Big swells arrive in autumn and winter: it is the season for reef waves like Parlementia, and for Belharra for experts. To start, pick the most sheltered sandy beaches, like Hendaye, and days with a small swell. To compare with other destinations, see also where to surf in October and where to surf in November.
The water is around 12 to 14 °C from December to March, 21 to 22 °C in July and August, 20 to 21 °C in September and 18 to 19 °C in October. The month-by-month details are in our guide on when to go surfing in France.
Surf spots in the Basque Country, by level
On the Basque coast, the surf spots follow one another from Anglet to Hendaye. The best conditions come with a west to north-west swell. Remember: the level of a spot always depends on the swell. A spot that is easy with a small swell can become for experienced surfers only when it picks up, and the reverse is true for a backup spot like Hendaye. Here are the spots by level.
Surf spots for beginners in the Basque Country
| Spot | Where | The wave |
|---|---|---|
| Grande Plage, Hendaye | Hendaye | Sandy beach break, gentle waves, all tides. Beginners and intermediate surfers. Sokoburu, to the west near the breakwater, is the most sheltered area |
| The Côte des Basques | Biarritz | Long, gentle waves on the north side, from low to mid tide. Lots of schools |
| Bidart Centre | Bidart | Beach break over sand and rock, to surf with a small swell |
| Les Corsaires | Anglet | Peaky beach break, on sandbanks held by groynes. With a small swell |
| Uhabia | Bidart | River-mouth waves over sandbanks and rocks, at mid tide |
| Erretegia | Bidart | Right to the north, left to the south, over sand and rock, from low to mid tide. Schools on the beach |
Surf spots for intermediate surfers in the Basque Country
| Spot | Where | The wave |
|---|---|---|
| La Grande Plage | Biarritz | Sand beach break in the town centre, powerful when the swell picks up, from mid to low tide. Beginners only with a very small swell, with a school |
| Les Cavaliers | Anglet | Hollow, powerful peaks over sand, from October to February. With a small swell for intermediate surfers |
| Marinella | Anglet | Left and right peak over sand, to improve on small days, from low to mid tide |
| La Madrague | Anglet | Sandy beach break, easy with a small swell, more physical when it gets bigger. |
| Hendaye | Hendaye | With a big winter swell, the backup spot when the rest of the coast maxes out, including for surfers from the Landes |
Surf spots for experienced surfers in the Basque Country
| Spot | Where | The wave |
|---|---|---|
| Parlementia | Guéthary | Offshore reef wave that needs a good swell and a long paddle. Mostly in autumn, with a good swell |
| Lafitenia | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | Point-style right over reef |
| Belharra | Off Urrugne | Giant wave on a reef about 3 km offshore, for experts only, towed in by a jet ski |
| La Barre | Anglet | Wave along the Adour jetty, at low tide. Holds big winter swells |
| Avalanche / Les Alcyons | Guéthary | Left over a reef, with a big west swell. For experts only |
| Vanthrax | Hendaye | Shallow reef, with a big north-west swell. Only works a few times a year, for experts only |
Surf spot guides in the Basque Country
Anglet: 4.5 km of sandy beaches
From La Barre, at the mouth of the Adour, to the Chambre d’Amour, Anglet lines up 11 spots along about 4.5 km of beach breaks. Les Cavaliers is the best-known spot, for intermediate and experienced surfers, from October to February. Further south, Marinella and La Madrague suit improving surfers with a small swell, and Les Sables d’Or hosts the Surf de Nuit (night surfing) every late summer.
All the spots, the season and our tips are in our guide to surfing in Anglet, from La Barre to Les Sables d’Or.
Biarritz: the Côte des Basques and the Grande Plage
The Côte des Basques is Biarritz’s historic spot: long waves on the north side, easy for beginners and longboarding, hollower to the south. In the town centre, the Grande Plage hosts the Maïder Arostéguy contest every spring, created in 1984. With a small swell, it suits beginners with a school; as soon as the swell picks up, it becomes a spot for intermediate surfers. The details are in our guides to the Côte des Basques spot and Grande Plage spot in Biarritz.
All the spots, the season and our tips are in our guide to surfing in Biarritz, from beginner waves to hollower spots.
Bidart and Guéthary: sand and reefs
In Bidart, the Centre spot is a beach break over sand and rock, with schools and a club. In Guéthary, Parlementia is an offshore reef wave: it needs a good swell and a long paddle from the small harbour. With a big swell, it is for experienced surfers only.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Lafitenia
In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Lafitenia is a point-style right over reef, for experienced surfers. Watch out for rocks and currents.
Hendaye: the long beach to start
Hendaye closes the Basque coast with the longest beach on the coast, about 3 km of sand. The waves are gentle: it is a well-known spot to start, especially at Sokoburu. With a big winter swell, from October to March, when the rest of the coast maxes out, it is also the backup spot for intermediate surfers, including those coming from the surfing in the Landes.
All the spots, the season and our tips are in our guide to surfing in Hendaye, the ideal spot to start.
Belharra: the giant wave of the Basque Country
2.5 to 3 km offshore, between Urrugne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Belharra only wakes up with autumn and winter storms. Experts surf it towed in by a jet ski. You can watch it from the Corniche. To find out more, read our article on Belharra, the giant wave of the Basque Country.
Surfing on the Basque coast: practical info
Surf
- Level : all levels depending on the spot
- Wave type : beach breaks, reefs and points
- Bottom : sand, sand and rock
- Swell : west-north-west to north-west
- Water : about 12 to 14 °C in winter, 21 to 22 °C in July and August
Before you go
- Airport : Biarritz-Pays Basque, in Anglet, about 2.5 km from central Biarritz; Pau and San Sebastián-Hondarribia as alternatives
- Train : high-speed train to Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure and Hendaye
- Documents : ID card or passport for European Union travellers
- GoSurf webcams: Les Cavaliers, Côte des Basques, Parlementia, Sainte-Barbe, Hendaye
On site
- Lifeguarded beaches : in season, with a surf zone marked by a black and white chequered flag
- Watch out : rocks at the Côte des Basques, Parlementia and Lafitenia
- Currency : euro (€)
Learning to surf in the Basque Country
For your first waves, aim for Hendaye’s Grande Plage, the most sheltered on the coast, the Côte des Basques on the north side, or Bidart Centre, with a school. Biarritz’s Grande Plage also works, but only with a small swell. Avoid reefs like Parlementia or Lafitenia and days with a big swell. To compare with other destinations, read our guide to choose your first surf destination.
Where to stay for a surf trip on the Basque coast?
To stay close to the waves, stay in Anglet or Biarritz in the north, Bidart or Guéthary in the centre, or Hendaye in the south if you are a beginner. Book early for July and August.
Safety: rocks, currents and flags
The Basque coast has more rocks than the Landes: there are some in the line-up at the Côte des Basques, and Parlementia and Lafitenia break over reef. Surf at your level, and follow the flags on lifeguarded beaches.
- Green flag : lifeguarded swimming, no particular danger.
- Yellow flag : limited danger.
- Red flag : swimming forbidden.
- Black and white chequered flag : zone for surfing and water sports.
How to get to the Basque Country?
Biarritz-Pays Basque airport is in Anglet, about 2.5 km from central Biarritz, with a shuttle to the centre. By train, the high-speed train stops at Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure and Hendaye. To move from one spot to another depending on the swell, a car is the easiest option.
Train times and tickets on SNCF Connect.
What to do in the Basque Country besides surfing?
On flat days, the Basque Country has plenty of ideas, on the coast and inland.
On the coast
- The Rocher de la Vierge, in Biarritz: a metal footbridge leads to this rock facing the ocean, topped since 1865 by a statue of the Virgin Mary
- The Biarritz lighthouse: in service since 1834, its 248 steps lead to a view over the Landes beaches, the Basque coast and the Pyrenees
- The Aquarium and the Cité de l’Océan: seals, sharks and Bay of Biscay wildlife in an Art Deco building, and an ocean discovery centre designed by Steven Holl
- Guéthary: a former whaling port built around its pelota court
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Louis XIV married the Infanta Maria Theresa here in 1660, in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church; the Maison Louis XIV can be visited with a guide
- The Abbadia estate, in Hendaye: a neo-Gothic castle and observatory built by Viollet-le-Duc, in a protected natural site of the Conservatoire du littoral
- The coastal path: it follows the cliffs from Bidart to Hendaye; note that the Corniche section between Socoa and Hendaye is closed
Inland
- Bayonne: the Sainte-Marie cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Basque Museum in Petit Bayonne
- Espelette: the village of the Espelette pepper, protected designation since 2000, with its festival on the last weekend of October
- Ainhoa and Sare: two of the Most Beautiful Villages of France; in Sare, the caves tell the story of geology, prehistory and the origins of the Basque people
- La Rhune: a 1924 rack railway climbs to the summit, at 905 m, in about 35 minutes, for a view over the ocean and the Pyrenees
Basque culture
- Basque pelota: almost every village has its court: bare hand, pala or chistera
- Basque cake: filled with pastry cream or black cherry jam
- The Fêtes de Bayonne: since 1932, five days in July, from Wednesday to Sunday, all in white and red
On the Spanish side
- Hondarribia: a boat shuttle leaves from Hendaye harbour and crosses the Bidasoa river
- San Sebastián: the “Topo” train leaves from Hendaye’s Euskotren station and goes to the city centre
For surfing, don’t miss the Maïder Arostéguy contest in spring on Biarritz’s Grande Plage, and, with a big winter swell, read our article on Belharra, the giant wave of the Basque Country.
All guided activities in the Basque Country
SURFER REVIEWS in the Basque Country
Have you surfed in the Basque Country? Share your experience.
Eric – upper intermediate
Very surfable spot depending on the area, at all tides, rather nice atmosphere but it is getting worse, so let’s respect all the safety and priority rules to share the waves as well as possible. They are easy to find and understand, and if needed ask at the spot. Have a good surf!
- All seasons except December, January and February
- Hendaye
FAQ: everything about surfing in the Basque Country
Where to learn to surf in the Basque Country?
In Hendaye, the most sheltered beach on the coast, at the Côte des Basques in Biarritz or at Bidart Centre, with a school. Avoid reefs like Parlementia and Lafitenia.
Why do people say surfing was born in Biarritz?
Because it reached France in Biarritz: in 1956, during the filming of “The Sun Also Rises”, Peter Viertel surfed at the Côte des Basques, and the Waïkiki Surf Club was created in 1959.
What is the water temperature in the Basque Country?
About 12 to 14 °C from December to March, 21 to 22 °C in July and August, 20 to 21 °C in September and 18 to 19 °C in October.
When to surf in the Basque Country?
Big swells arrive in autumn and winter, the season for reefs and Belharra. To start, pick sheltered beaches like Hendaye and days with a small swell.
What is Belharra?
A giant wave that breaks on a reef 2.5 to 3 km off Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Urrugne, during autumn and winter storms. It can reach 10 to 15 m and was first surfed on 22 November 2002. Experts surf it towed in by a jet ski.
How to get to the Basque Country for surfing?
Fly to Biarritz-Pays Basque, or take the high-speed train to Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Hendaye. On site, a car is the easiest way to follow the swell.
Information may change. This guide is for general guidance only: surf conditions, temperatures, access, opening hours and prices can change. Before your trip and every session, check the forecast, local conditions and information from local providers. A spot description and its suggested level are no guarantee of safety: always match your session to your level and the conditions on the day. Learn more
Updated November 2026
Sources: Surfline Côte des Basques, Surfline Hendaye, Surfline Lafitenia, Surf-forecast, Routard, Manawa, Surf-Report, Saint-Jean-de-Luz tourist office, Surfertoday, Google Arts & Culture, Seatemperatu.re, Climats et voyages, Tourisme Biarritz, In the Basque Country, Sud Radio, Service-public.fr, Surfline Grande Plage, Surfline Les Cavaliers, Surfline La Madrague, Surfline Bidart, Surfline Parlementia, Tourisme 64, Saint-Jean-de-Luz tourist office, In the Basque Country.
