Learn to surf in Biarritz, Hendaye or Hossegor?
Anglet and surfing: more than just a way of life, it’s a philosophy!
There’s no greater pleasure than surfing and chilling out on the beach while waiting to surf again! However, surfing isn’t like tennis – you need the right conditions. Most of Biarritz’s surf spots can be surfed at low tide or mid-tide, except for one, at Ilbarritz. Click here for a map of the spots and tide times.
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Biarritz, historic surfing capital
Biarritz is one of Europe’s most famous surfing destinations, and it’s easy to see why. With regular swells all year round, 5 different surf spots and a spectacular setting between the sea and the mountains, you’ll quickly fall in love with the region.
Located less than an hour from Hossegor, another of France’s legendary surfing towns, Biarritz will charm you with its superb beaches surrounded by cliffs and rocks. There are waves all year round in Biarritz. However, the best time to go surfing depends largely on your own ability, as the size and power of the waves vary according to the season. In July and August, the waves are small, fun and good for learning, but beware, there are lots of people in the water.
In May, June and September/October, you can surf good waves with fewer people, and there’s a better chance of a decent swell than in midsummer. September is often when tourist groups return home, but the evenings are long and the water is still warm. Good surfers will appreciate winter, when the big, powerful waves break. To get an idea of the right time to take to the water, or if you want to know at your fingertips the tides and sandbanks, or the beaches where you can surf.
Tides: what are they?
Tides are caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun. The tide is the variation in the height of the seas and oceans, caused by the combination of the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun and the forces of inertia due to the revolution of the Earth around the centre of mass of the Earth-Moon pair and that of the Earth-Sun pair, all combined with the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
Biarritz 2023 tide calendar: 80x60cm design
The tides change in height, with low water and high water levels varying throughout the month. The tides rise to a maximum and fall to a minimum twice a month. The tides with the greatest difference between high and low water are called spring tides and those with the smallest difference are called neap tides.
Spring tides occur just after each full and new moon, when the sun, moon and earth are aligned. This is when the lunar and solar tides align and reinforce each other, creating a larger total tide. Neap tides occur when the moon is in first or third quarter, when the sun, earth and moon form a right angle. The moon’s high tide coincides with the sun’s low tide and they partially cancel each other out, giving a small total tide.
The regular movement of the sun, moon and earth means that spring tides occur around 36 to 48 hours after the full or new moon, and for a given location, always at around the same time of day.
2023 tide calendar: daily timetable
Low tide to mid-tide: at the Basque coast
Popular with longboarders when conditions are right, the Côte des Basques offers long, gentle rides that can last for hours. At low tide, the beach is immense and an ideal place for beginners. At high tide, however, the beach disappears. In winter and spring, the ocean washes up on the rocks and if the waves are big, it can be downright dangerous. If you’re stuck and still have the strength to row, you can either row north around the rocks and out to the beach at Port Vieux, or head south to Marbella where there’s still a bit of beach. Advanced levels may want to head for the rocks at the southern end of the beach, which produce more powerful waves.
Webcam Côte des basques
Low tide to mid-tide: at the Grande Plage
Located right in the centre of Biarritz, La Grande Plage is by far the city’s most famous surf spot. You’ll find good waves here, even when there are too many waves elsewhere on the coast. The downside is that you’re rarely alone in the water. In summer, you have to be very careful, as the waves are crowded with local surfers and beginners, making the surf quite choppy and borderline dangerous.
This is one of the largest beaches, stretching across the bay (north to south) between the Hôtel du Palais and the Bellevue. It’s right in the centre of town, with shops, cafés and restaurants close by.
High tide at Ilbarritz beach
Situated at the foot of the Ilbarritz castle, Ilbarritz beach is on the border between Biarritz and Bidart, between the Milady and Pavillon Royal beaches. The seabed is sandy, but there are a few rocks that can stand out depending on whether or not the beach is gullied.
Ilbarritz beach has two restaurants and bars. ‘La plancha d’Ilbarritz” and its famous fish à la plancha. Fresh market produce on the terrace facing the beach, and cocktails and aperitifs in a 360° bar… There’s also the famous trendy ‘ Blue Cargo’ bar. Facing the beach, this restaurant offers a menu of south-western flavours, tapas and seafood.
Bidart
Bidart is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the Basque Country and you can enjoy great surfing here all year round. Bidart has a wide range of waves, so there’s something for everyone all year round.
If you prefer small waves and warm water, the peak summer period of July and August will suit you perfectly.
For most surfers, the best time for a surf trip to Bidart is before or after the peak summer period. In May and June and from September to November, the swell is steadier, the water is warmer and there are fewer people in the queue.
Milady
La Milady is located across the bay at the southern end of Marbella and is a similar spot in many ways. A decent shorebreak, it works best in small waves with a fun ‘ride’ directly ahead. The left at the southern end of the beach is quite gentle and occasionally a right appears at the northern end. Watch out for the rocks when you finish your wave, or when you do a wipeout.
Where to stay and eat?
You’ll find everything from chic five-star hotels to self-catering flats, from ultra-cool surf camps to family campsites close to the beach, two large car parks, restaurants (Blue Cargo and La plancha d’ilbarritz) and trendy bars.
