Biarritz – Marbella

Biarritz · Pays Basque · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Biarritz – Marbella (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/biarritz-marbella.

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Marbella continues the Côte des Basques to the south, a wider and wilder sandy beach divided by rocky outcrops. Its sandbars give lefts and rights of fair length, sometimes up to 300 m on good days, and it is very consistent. The size and wild character make it popular with surfers and bodyboarders, and it handles southwest swells better than its neighbours.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m west to southwest swell from low to mid tide on the rising tide, with a light easterly wind.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide, and strong westerly wind.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips
  • localism

Best months

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Most of the lineup is friendly, but dropping in is not tolerated and will get you shouted at. The rocks that split the beach shape the peaks and also catch the unwary, so note where they are at low tide.

Getting there

Off-centre, south of the Côte des Basques, reached by a steep path with about fifty steps and rock armour, so it is not easy for people with reduced mobility. A surf club and several schools work here.

Travel notes

How often it works
Picks up the same swells as the Côte des Basques. Rocks split the beach and help shape the peaks.
Crowd and vibe
Most of the lineup is friendly. Dropping in on someone is not tolerated and will get you shouted at.
Camping and vans
The 4-star Biarritz Camping is about 1 km away, near Milady (April to October). The Milady motorhome aire (32 places, 48-hour limit in high season) is close by. Nearest campsite about 1 km away.
Facilities
There is a surf club and several surf schools, but access is down about fifty steps, so it is hard for people with reduced mobility.
Water quality
Rated excellent, and the beach flies the Pavillon Bleu (Blue Flag). Biarritz closes beaches for a few hours when pollution is suspected after heavy rain. Check the Kalilo app.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WSW–WNW best, SW–NW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.7 m, holds to 2.8 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore E–SSE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
WNW (300°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Pays Basque · All spots

Sources