Biarritz & Anglet · France
Surfing Marbella
A beach/reef in Biarritz & Anglet, France, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Marbella is the beach south of Côte des Basques in Biarritz, below the cliffs, with Ilbarritz just beyond it. The waves break over a mix of sand and rock.
It takes more swell than Côte des Basques and is a good option when the town beaches are too small. It works on most tides with an east wind.
Getting down to the beach means a steep path, and there are rocks in the water, especially at lower tides.
Autumn and winter bring the best swells, and an east wind keeps it clean. In summer it's quieter than the beaches in central Biarritz, but there are no facilities on the sand, so bring water.
When to surf
Marbella
Marbella is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: W-NW swell, E offshore wind, all tides.
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 Marbella
Côte des Basques
1 kmBiarritz & Anglet · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
La Grande Plage
2 kmBiarritz & Anglet · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
Parlementia
5 kmGuéthary & Hendaye · Right Reef · Advanced / Pro
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
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.
Biarritz & Anglet surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.