Grande Plage is a well-known surf spot located on the Basque coast. It's a chic city beach that tends to get less swell than nearby Anglet, but it offers a decent range of conditions most surfers can enjoy. The south part of the beach has some rocks that not only enhance the scenery but also help shape the sandbanks and protect from S-SW winds. While it can be fun during certain swells, there are also times when the waves close out, making it a mixed bag for surfing.
This spot works best with swells coming from the west, but it can handle waves from the north as well. You can have fun here when the swell is around 1 to 6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 meters). The waves usually break over sand, giving you both left and right options. For the best experience, you’ll want to catch it at low to mid tide and when the wind is coming from the southeast. It's generally more suitable for intermediate surfers, as the conditions can be variable and require a bit of skill to navigate.
While Grande Plage offers some solid surf time, it can get crowded, which can be a hassle. The beach also has some restrictions regarding the bathing zone, and parking around here isn’t the easiest or cheapest. If you’re looking for a quieter session, consider heading out at night when the boardwalk lights come on. It can give you a different vibe and sometimes you'll have the waves almost to yourself!