Where to surf on the Basque Coast when the waves are too big to surf in Biarritz?

After a rather flat summer on the Basque Coast, surfers have been waiting for September and praying for an Indian summer to enjoy a good surf forecast. The months of September and October usually offer the best conditions of swells and winds in the south west of France with warm water and less crowds. At the moment there is a rather stormy swell with strong on-shore winds. We are still hoping that the famous “ndian summer” will arrive later this October, but if you planned to come surfing in Biarritz a long time and you are wondering where will you be able to surf during a storm?

Below is a guide to where to surf when the waves are too big or it’s too windy in Biarritz.

The protected surf spots of the Basque Coast

Hendaye

During storms, a consistent westerly swell arrives with a strong wind from the

same direction. The Bay of Hendaye being oriented towards the north catches less

swell coming from the west. The wind, coming also from the west, will blow

sideways, making the waves less messy. It is necessary to go surfing at low tide (3

hours before and after full down). The bigger the swell, the closer you need to

surf against the pier on the west of the bay.

Sainte Barbe (Saint Jean de Luz)

The wave of “Sainte Barbe”, located on the north of the Saint Jean de Luz bay is a

rather long right hander that has several sections. The first section, closer to the

pier is advised for experienced surfers with a fairly hollow take off. The

middle section offers a rather flat wave, ideal for longboarding and finally the

reform closer to the shore forms a beautiful triangle but without too much

shoulder.

Lafitenia (Acotz)

Lafitenia (located between Guethary and Saint Jean de luz) is one of the best

right hander point breaks on the Basque coast and therefore very crowded by

the locals and passing surfers. When the waves are big and windy, Lafitenia is

often a good option at low tide. You will always find a pretty clean face of the wave

on the inside section.

Spanish north coast

If you are not afraid to go for a drive and cross the boarder, why not explore the waves on the Spanish side of the Basque country. Indeed, as Hendaye, the coast is facing north, the spots catch less swell and the on-shore wind in France becomes off-shore here (always better). The spots can be less crowded also.

Now you know that everything is not lost even if the forecasts predict a big storm during your surfing holiday in the Basque Country.

See you soon,

Marty

Where to surf on the Basque Coast when the waves are too big to surf in Biarritz?

After a rather flat summer on the Basque Coast, surfers have been waiting for September and praying for an Indian summer to enjoy a good surf forecast. The months of September and October usually offer the best conditions of swells and winds in the south west of France with warm water and less crowds. At the moment there is a rather stormy swell with strong on-shore winds. We are still hoping that the famous “ndian summer” will arrive later this October, but if you planned to come surfing in Biarritz a long time and you are wondering where will you be able to surf during a storm?

Below is a guide to where to surf when the waves are too big or it’s too windy in Biarritz.

The protected surf spots of the Basque Coast

Hendaye

During storms, a consistent westerly swell arrives with a strong wind from the

same direction. The Bay of Hendaye being oriented towards the north catches less

swell coming from the west. The wind, coming also from the west, will blow

sideways, making the waves less messy. It is necessary to go surfing at low tide (3

hours before and after full down). The bigger the swell, the closer you need to

surf against the pier on the west of the bay.

Sainte Barbe (Saint Jean de Luz)

The wave of “Sainte Barbe”, located on the north of the Saint Jean de Luz bay is a

rather long right hander that has several sections. The first section, closer to the

pier is advised for experienced surfers with a fairly hollow take off. The

middle section offers a rather flat wave, ideal for longboarding and finally the

reform closer to the shore forms a beautiful triangle but without too much

shoulder.

Lafitenia (Acotz)

Lafitenia (located between Guethary and Saint Jean de luz) is one of the best

right hander point breaks on the Basque coast and therefore very crowded by

the locals and passing surfers. When the waves are big and windy, Lafitenia is

often a good option at low tide. You will always find a pretty clean face of the wave

on the inside section.

Spanish north coast

If you are not afraid to go for a drive and cross the boarder, why not explore the waves on the Spanish side of the Basque country. Indeed, as Hendaye, the coast is facing north, the spots catch less swell and the on-shore wind in France becomes off-shore here (always better). The spots can be less crowded also.

Now you know that everything is not lost even if the forecasts predict a big storm during your surfing holiday in the Basque Country.

See you soon,

Marty