France and Spain share the Bay of Biscay, and Hendaye and Zarautz are less than an hour apart by car, so plenty of people surf both on one trip. France has the long straight beaches of the Landes and Gironde and more consistent beach-break barrels. Spain has more variety: river-mouth lefts like Mundaka, quiet coves in Asturias and Galicia, and the Canaries for winter sun. Spain is also a little cheaper day to day.
Which one should you pick?
Consistent beach breaks
France. The Landes and Gironde beaches pick up swell almost every day.
Variety and empty lineups
Spain: river-mouth lefts like Mundaka, and quiet coves in Asturias and Galicia.
Winter sun
Spain, in the Canaries.
Both on one trip
Easy: Biarritz and San Sebastián are less than an hour apart, so a Basque coast trip covers both countries.
When to go
Both are at their best from September to April. Both are in good shape from September to June.
| Month | France | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| February | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| March | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| April | Prime (Finistère (Brittany)) | Prime (Galicia) |
| May | Good (Landes (Hossegor)) | Good (Basque Country) |
| June | Good (Landes (Hossegor)) | Good (Basque Country) |
| July | Quiet (Landes (Hossegor)) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| August | Quiet (Landes (Hossegor)) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| September | Prime (Finistère (Brittany)) | Prime (Galicia) |
| October | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| November | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| December | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |