News surf Côte Basque & Landes
The Best Surf Spots on the Aquitaine Coast
20 September 2023
LACANAU (MÉDOC)
Lacanau is a beach located in the Médoc region, one hour from Bordeaux. It is very well known in the surfing community thanks to the Lacanau Pro. First held in 1979, the event has featured many great surfers, including international stars. There are numerous surf schools on this beach.
The swell should be coming from the northwest, and the waves are often medium to long. In Lacanau, the waves are fairly powerful and tubular. For the best conditions, it’s best to have winds from the east, northeast, or southeast, and it’s better to wait for the rising tide to surf. As for the surfing season, it’s recommended to visit this surf spot from April through June and from September through November. The hazards at this beach include:
- Since it gets crowded in the summer, you need to watch out for the many swimmers and surfers there,
- Strong currents and eddies,
- Beginners should be careful about the size and strength of the waves
PARLEMENTIA (BASQUE COUNTRY)
Parlementia Beach is located in Guéthary in the Basque Country. It’s a fairly powerful wave, so you need to be careful to assess its size properly before entering the water, since it breaks far out at sea. You’ll also need to be a strong paddler, or you can access it from the port of Guéthary.
The swell at Parlementia is typically northwest-facing and ranges from moderate to long. The best wind directions for this spot are east, southeast, and south; it’s best to wait for the incoming tide before going out to surf. The best time of year to surf this spot is from September through March. The hazards at this spot are:
- Watch out for the reef at low tide
- How busy the spot gets when conditions are good
- Riding the Wave the Right Way
LA GRAVIÈRE (LANDES)
La Gravière Beach is located in Hossegor, in the Landes region. It’s a very well-known spot that frequently hosts the Quicksilver and Roxy Pro stages of the World Surf League in October. This internationally renowned wave is considered one of the most powerful and tubular in Europe. This surf spot is often in good condition and frequently puts on a spectacular show with stunning barrels.
At this beach, the spot often has a northwest swell, and the waves are medium to long. It’s a very powerful wave that breaks very steeply. To surf this wave, it’s best to have winds blowing from the east, northeast, or southeast, and to wait for the rising tide. This surf spot is at its best from September through March. It’s a dangerous spot, so be careful of:
Don’t overestimate your skill level
Strong currents
The danger posed by the wave
BISCARROSSE (LANDES)
Biscarrosse Beach is located just south of the Arcachon Basin; it’s one of the top beaches in the Landes region. It offers a very natural and pleasant setting. There are often great spots to catch, powerful waves, and beautiful sections.
For surfing, the swell at this spot should be from the west or northwest and be medium to long. For the best conditions, the wind should be from the east, northeast, or southeast, and you should wait for the rising tide. As for the season, this spot is best from June through September. It can be dangerous, so you need to be careful:
Tubular waves that can catch beginners and intermediate surfers off guard
The current, which is often strong
Crowds that can build up during the summer
ANGLET (BASQUE COUNTRY)
Anglet’s beaches are known for their shore breaks. Located in the Basque Country, south of Biarritz. The waves tend to break well, and the beach effectively captures the swell. It’s a popular spot on the Basque coast that will delight bodyboarders with its shore breaks, as well as surfers with long waves that can break over the beach’s breakwaters.
The swell at this beach tends to come from the northwest and is medium to long. For the spot to be good, it’s best to have winds from the east, northeast, southeast, or south, and to wait for the rising tide. Anglet Beach offers the best conditions from September through March. Be aware that the beach gets crowded as soon as conditions are good.
One last tip for Anglet: avoid high tide—there are fewer waves, but more importantly, the shore break makes getting out of the water dangerous.
In the southwest, there’s something for everyone. Whether you love beach breaks or reef breaks, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. If you’d like more tips, feel free to contact us!
