Surfing in Bidart – The Basque Country

THE SURFING GUIDE FOR BIDART

Bidart – Plage du Centre

Medium-quality beachbreak with some rocks to contend with. It’s very exposed to wind and swell, making it unsurfable in bigger days. Easy to see from the road when you drive by, so always worth checking. 

Erretegia 

Fun, mellow beachbreak peaks that attract mostly longboarders and people that just want to get away from the more competitive line-ups in the area. Perfect for beginners and intermediates. This also explains its popularity with the local surf schools. There is a mellow vibe in and out of the water. Be aware that parts of the beach have a rocky bottom and high tide shuts down parts of the beach. 

More about surfing in Bidart

The waves

++ Advanced

++ Intermediates

++ beginners

Both the central beach of Bidart and Erretegia work best in small to medium swells, between 1 to 2 metres. Anything bigger and it closes out. The best tide is around mid tide.

Be aware of big tidal changes, which can really affect surfing conditions.

Best season to go

Bidart is a year-round surfing destination. Yet spring and autumn are considered to be the best seasons to go surfing around Bidart. The waves are more consistent and the crowds are thinner. Summer can provide some fun, small waves. Ideal for beginners and longboarders. Summer is the high season in Bidart. So expect crowded streets and line-ups. Winter can provide classic, powerful surf for the skilled and determined. Stormy, cold weather is common though so always check the forecast.

Bidart surf forecast

Favourable wind direction?

South-easterlies are offshore here, but any wind from the east will do.

Where is Bidart?

Bidart is part of the French Basque Coast in the far South West of France, close to Spain. The classy surf city of Biarritz is only a short drive away.

Where to stay in Bidart?

Where to stay in Bidart?

There are plenty of places to stay in and around Bidart. From luxery hotels to charming hostals to surfer-friendly campsites.

If you feel like camping, consider Camping Le pavillon Royal. Several surf spots are within walking distance and the view is pretty much breathtaking.

Find accommodation

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Surf lessons and -rental?

Beginner surfers will have more than a few surf schools to choose from. This makes this surfy little town a great place to be when the waves are in the fun zone.

There are also plenty of rental options at the local surf shops and surf schools.

What boards to bring?

Many Bidart waves are suited best for longboards and retro style surfcraft. This is reflected by the surfboards on offer at many of the local surf shops, like Acotzen and Sea Sick Surf Shop. Be sure to check them out. 

More waves in the area

The French Basque coast has something on offer for everybody: from the beautiful pointbreak of Lafitenia to beginner-friendly beachbreaks to expert-only big wave reefbreaks. There are also lots of isolated rocky coves to explore.

Other French surf spots

Check out these other surf spots in the South West of France:

• Lacanau – Acquitaine
• Hossegor – Les Landes
• Mimizan – Les Landes
• Lafitenia – French Basque Country
• Le Porge – Gironde

More about surfing in France.

Do you have an addition for Bidart? Please let others know and share the stoke by commenting below.