Spain surf guide
Surfing Mundaka & Bizkaia
Home of one of the best lefts on earth
- Spots3
- LevelsAdvanced, Beginner, Intermediate, Pro
- Best seasonOct-Mar
- RegionBasque Country
The waves at Mundaka & Bizkaia
Mundaka
- Left Point
- Pro
- 3-12 ft
- Sep-Apr
- Crowd 4/5
One of the best left-hand waves on earth, and a genuine pilgrimage site for surfers worldwide. Mundaka breaks off a rivermouth sandbar at the edge of the Urdaibai estuary, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, producing long, fast, incredibly hollow barrels that have hosted the WCT and drawn the sport's best for decades.
The wave depends entirely on the sandbar being in good shape, built by sediment from the Oka river, and when it's on, it delivers some of the longest, most perfect tube rides in the world, a single wave can run for a genuinely long way with barrel section after barrel section. When the bank silts up poorly, it can go years without firing properly.
This is expert territory only: a fast, critical, unforgiving wave with a highly skilled, protective local crew. Watch it from the point before any thought of paddling out, and treat Mundaka as a wave to witness and respect rather than casually attempt.
43.4053, -2.6989 · Solid W-NW groundswell
Sopelana
- Beach Break
- Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
- 1-6 ft
- Year-round
- Crowd 4/5
A consistent, accessible beach break close to Bilbao, and one of the Basque Country's most popular everyday waves. Sopelana breaks over sand along a long stretch of coast backed by dramatic flysch cliff formations, giving a striking setting to a genuinely reliable, workable wave.
Its proximity to Bilbao means it carries a strong local surf culture, with schools and shops built around a wave that suits a wide range of levels far better than the fickle, expert-only Mundaka nearby. Several distinct peaks along the beach spread out the crowd on a good day.
Come on almost any swell for a satisfying session, and use it as an easier alternative when Mundaka isn't working or isn't within your ability. A genuinely good all-rounder and a fine introduction to Basque surfing.
43.38, -2.98 · Any swell direction
Bakio
- Beach Break
- Intermediate
- 2-6 ft
- Sep-Apr
- Crowd 2/5
A wide, open beach break between Bilbao and Mundaka, catching plenty of swell along an exposed stretch of Bizkaia coast. Bakio breaks over sand in punchy, well-shaped peaks that hold up reasonably well across a range of sizes, without the extreme power of the area's more famous waves.
The beach's width gives room to spread out even on a busy weekend, and its position between the region's two biggest surf towns makes it a natural stop for exploring the whole Bizkaia coast. Green hills and small villages back the beach rather than heavy development.
Come on a clean groundswell for the best conditions, and treat it as a solid, dependable option when you want a good session without the intensity or crowds of Mundaka. A fine base for a wider Basque road trip.
43.4358, -2.8106 · Clean groundswell
Where to stay near Mundaka & Bizkaia
- Mundaka guesthouse — Guesthouse: Simple rooms in the village, walking distance to the famous left.
- Sopelana surf hostel — Surf Hostel: Lively hostel near Bilbao with easy access to several beach breaks.
Beyond the surf
- Mundaka village: A tiny fishing village overlooking the estuary and its world-famous left, part of the Urdaibai biosphere reserve.
Best time to surf Mundaka & Bizkaia
Mundaka & Bizkaia works best around Oct-Mar. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Spain.
One strange surf spot a week
The Lineup: hippos that surf in Gabon, waves under smoking volcanoes in Kamchatka, one weird break in a weird place every week. No spam, always free.