Surf Forecast La Cote des Basques
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La Cote des Basques surfspot characteristics
More about La Cote des Basques surfspot
General: The northern end of the beach has been a long time longboarding haven. Up to around shoulder high, the waves here are less powerful and heavy than the rest of the beaches in the area, serving up fun peaks and mellow walls, especially by the headland which also offers some protection from northerlies. It picks up more swell and power to the south, with clusters of rock appearing and the crowd generally thinning out. Noted as the birthplace of the French surf scene, its a super pretty and popular spot with generally good vibes, best low to mid – at high tide, the beach disappears. Tides: The beach disappears at high, fun up to 3/4 tide. Size: Knee to shoulder high for fun walls, overhead for a bit more punch to your peak. Wind: E, SE Swell: Small to medium NW to W swells. Bottom: Sand with a few rocks to the south. Paddling: Not too bad at all, less intense than neighbouring spots. Spot Rating: Offering a little bit of shelter from swell and wind, a fun, busy, beachie popular with longboards and beginners.
Super popular with beginners and surf schools when small, more challenging and powerful at head high plus.
Beach parking is crazy. Park at the cliff top car park on Ave Beau Rivage and walk down the zigzag to the beach. Super busy in the summer.
September-November is the golden time. A warm, sundowner session here can keep you smiling for days.
Crowd Factor: Super busy spot, especially in the summer months when its the delight of surf schools and beginners. Local Vibe: Pretty chilled, pretty tolerant... to a point.
Good clean fun, can suffer after heavy rain.
Crowds, bailed boards.