Biarritz & Anglet · France
Surfing Côte des Basques
A beach break in Biarritz & Anglet, France, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Côte des Basques is the beach below the cliffs just south of the Grande Plage in Biarritz, and the home of French longboarding since the late 1950s. The waves are long, slow and soft, good for noseriding and easy surfing.
It's busy almost all year with longboarders, beginners and surf schools. Small to medium swells are best. At high tide the beach nearly disappears, so check the tide before you go.
The best longboard days come with a small, clean swell in spring and autumn, when the beach is quieter. In summer the water is often calm enough for first lessons, and the beach is packed.
Surf schools and board rental line the road above the beach, and the centre of Biarritz is a short walk away for food and a drink after the session. If it's too small here, the beaches of Anglet, a few minutes north, usually have more swell.
When to surf
Côte des Basques
Côte des Basques is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: Small-mod W swell, E wind, low tide.
October to March: Prime
Big, powerful swell, mild Basque winter
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches, festival crowds
The year across Côte Basque
Waves near Côte des Basques
Getting there
Where to stay: Biarritz has the history, the old hotels, the restaurants and the nightlife, and you can walk to La Grande Plage and the Côte des Basques. Anglet is more local and spread out along the beaches between the jetties, with surf hostels and apartments close to the waves. Bayonne, a few minutes inland, is usually cheaper.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Biarritz & Anglet guide.
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