The Grande Plage is the town-centre beach of Biarritz. It is the busiest in town.
Beginners only come with a very small swell; when it gets bigger, the wave becomes short and powerful. For the other spots, read our guide to surfing in Biarritz.
At a glance: the Grande Plage
| Wave type | Beach break, lefts and rights |
| Bottom | Sand, with a few rocks |
| Level | Intermediate and experienced surfers; beginners only with a very small swell, with a school |
| Swell | West to north-west |
| Wind | East to south-east (offshore) |
| Best period | September to March |
| Hazards | Crowds, submerged rocks, currents |
About the Grande Plage (Biarritz, Basque Country)
The Grande Plage is a beach break over sand with a few rocks. The wave is short and powerful, and it needs a minimum of swell for the banks to work.
It is very busy, especially in summer.
When to surf the Grande Plage?
The best period runs from September to March. Surf it at mid tide. In summer, only very small swells suit beginners, with a school.
Grande Plage surf calendar: swell size by month
Grande Plage forecast
Before you paddle out, check the swell, wind and tide: here, the level of the spot changes with the size of the waves.
- Windy weather map (43.4871, -1.5558): swell, wind and live conditions.
- GoSurf webcam at the Grande Plage : the waves live before you go.
The Grande Plage: what level?
Beginners: only with a very small swell
In summer, with a small swell and a school. Stay in the surf zone shown by the lifeguards.
Intermediate surfers: with a medium swell
The wave is short: aim for small and medium days, at mid tide.
Experienced surfers: with a bigger swell
When the swell picks up, the wave gets powerful. Watch out for crowds.
How to get to the Grande Plage?
The beach is right in the town centre. Parking is scarce and expensive: come on foot or by bus.
The beach has lifeguards from April to the end of October.
Spot location
GPS coordinates (approximate): 43.4871° N, 1.5558° W. The Grande Plage, Biarritz, Basque Country.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Where to stay near the Grande Plage?
Stay in the town centre to do everything on foot, or in Anglet, a few minutes away. Book early for summer.
What to do near the Grande Plage?
The Rocher de la Vierge and the fishermen’s harbour are close by; the lighthouse is a little further north.
FAQ: the Grande Plage
Only with a very small swell, in summer, with a school: it is mostly a spot for intermediate and experienced surfers.
At mid tide. The best period runs from September to March.
Parking is scarce and expensive in the town centre: come on foot or by bus instead.
In short
The Grande Plage is the town-centre spot of Biarritz: a short, powerful beach break, for intermediate and experienced surfers, always very busy.
Other spots to check out nearby: Côte des Basques surf spot and Marbella surf spot. To compare with other regions, see our guide to surfing in France.
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
Sources: Ultimate France, Surf-Report, Destination Biarritz, Figaro Nautisme.