Gipuzkoa · Spain
Surfing Deba
A beach break in Gipuzkoa, Spain, for intermediate surfers.
Deba's surf is at Santiago beach, at the mouth of the Deba river.
It doesn't work very often, but on its day there are lefts and rights over sand and some rock, best around high tide. It's rarely crowded, which makes it worth checking when the better-known beaches are packed. Watch for rips and rocks.
The beach is right in town, next to the train station on the coastal line between Bilbao and San Sebastián, so it's easy to reach without a car. In summer it's busy with families and the waves are usually small; autumn and winter are better for surfing.
When to surf
Deba
Deba is at its best from October to March. Conditions it likes: NW swell, S wind, high tide.
October to March: Prime
Consistent, powerful NW-W swell, cold but firing
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches and high season prices
The year across Basque Country
Waves near Deba
Mutriku
3 kmGipuzkoa · Left Reef · Advanced
Itzurun
7 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Intermediate / Advanced
Orrua
10 kmGipuzkoa · Right Reef · Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Zarautz has the long beach, the biggest choice of surf schools and plenty of apartments and campsites. San Sebastián has the city, the food and Zurriola's beach breaks, but rooms are expensive, especially in summer. Orio and Getaria, between the two, are smaller and cheaper.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Gipuzkoa guide.
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