Ciboure – Socoa / La Bougie

Ciboure · Pays Basque · France

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La Bougie lies on the Socoa side of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in line with the mouth of the Untxin river, and is named after the harbour beacon surfers call la bougie. Being deep inside the bay it only breaks in very large swell at low tide, perhaps a handful of days a year, giving short, soft waves that suit longboards and stand-up paddle. In the same conditions a short, hollow left known as Le Port breaks over rock at the harbour entrance, for experienced surfers only.

Level
Beginners
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
winter
Boards
A longboard or SUP; a shortboard for Le Port.

When it works

✓ A 4 m+ northwest swell on the open coast at low tide with a south to southwest wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Anything under about 3.5 m outside, which leaves it flat.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • boats
  • pollution

Best months

January, February, December

Local tips

A rocky pier sits in the middle of the wave, and water quality drops after rain because of the river. Le Port has a tiny take-off zone, awkward entry and exit and a protective local crew; one mistake can put you on the rocks.

Getting there

Park at the Socoa harbour car park in Ciboure and walk to the plage des dériveurs, which is reserved for water sports; restaurants nearby.

Travel notes

How often it works
Sheltered inside the bay, so it only works on a big swell. That makes it a spot for stormy days.
Crowd and vibe
La Bougie is relaxed and good for beginners. Le Port nearby has a tiny take-off zone and a protective local crew.
Camping and vans
Camping Juantcho on the Corniche road is a 10-minute walk from Socoa (May to early November, with motorhome pitches). Camping Untxin is also in Socoa. Nearest campsite about 1 km away.
Facilities
There is a harbour car park and restaurants nearby. The plage des dériveurs is kept for water sports.
Water quality
Ciboure's two bathing sites were rated good, not excellent, in the national dataset (2022 rating). Water quality drops after rain because of the river. Check the Kalilo app.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, W–NNW works
Size
4–6 m offshore swell; starts at 3.5 m, holds to 8 m
Period
13 s minimum, best from 16 s
Wind
Offshore S–WSW; handles onshore up to 20 km/h
Tide
low best, avoid high
Faces
NNE (15°)

Live cam

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

Nearby spots

All spots in Pays Basque · All spots

Sources