Biarritz surf guide

Biarritz is a well-known surf spot tucked away in downtown Biarritz, featuring a chic stretch of sandy beach that can deliver some solid waves. The area is characterized by a lively vibe, particularly near the bustling casino. It’s the type of place where you can catch some fun surf while enjoying the scenic coastal town atmosphere, though it does get quite busy, especially during peak season.

This beach can handle swells ranging from about 0.6 meters (2 feet) to 2.1 meters (7 feet) coming primarily from the West-Northwest to Northwest directions. On clean days, expect to find excellent, walling waves that can get hollow at lower tides, making for some good rides. However, it can also serve up slower, fat rollers from time to time. The best action happens mid to low tide when the sandbanks are properly exposed. It’s worth noting that this spot can get tricky with rip currents as the swell picks up, so stay mindful of that.

Getting to Biarritz might be a challenge since parking is limited and often expensive. The crowd factor is significant, especially around the southern end by the casino, where it can get pretty competitive. Locals are known to be hard-charging and can really go for it, so it's advisable for beginners to check out nearby spots like Cote des Basques instead. Autumn and winter are the most consistent seasons for surf here, and you'll see a mix of board types being used from shortboards and funboards to longboards and bodyboards.