Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Lafitenia

Saint-Jean-de-Luz · Pays Basque · France

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Lafitenia (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/lafitenia.

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Lafitenia is a long, peeling right that breaks over sharp rock from the north end of a green, little-built cove in the Acotz district, and is one of the classic waves of Europe. Rides of 150–300 m are normal and much longer ones possible on good days, with the wave picking up speed on the inside. There is also a shorter, rockier left that is surfed less. It starts working around 1–1.5 m, really comes alive around head high and holds about 4 m.

Level
Advanced
Break
Point break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Packed
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or a mid-length for the long walls.

When it works

✓ A 1.5–3 m northwest to west swell on a rising or falling tide, with a southeast to east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Below about 1 m it does not wrap in properly, and very big tidal coefficients make it hard to surf.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • crowds
  • localism

Best months

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

Local tips

It is harder than it looks and often fat on the outside, so position for the faster inside section. The lineup is busy every day with locals and travelling surfers; locals are mellow if you show respect. Watch the rocks, which show more or less depending on the tide, and the sea urchins.

Getting there

From the junction of chemin d'Aguenia and chemin Kokolia in Acotz, north of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a path leads to the beach. There is a free circular car park, public showers and toilets, and a beach bar terrace for watching the waves.

Travel notes

How often it works
Wannasurf rates it regular. The point needs a good west or northwest swell. It works more often than the bigger reefs nearby.
Crowd and vibe
Crowded every day, on weekdays and weekends. Wannasurf lists localism, but visitors say locals are mellow if you show respect.
Camping and vans
Camping Itsas Mendi is about 400 m away in Acotz (late March to early November). Wannasurf notes the spot is next to the Acotz campsites. Nearest campsite about 0.5 km away.
Facilities
There is a free car park, public showers and toilets, and a beach bar with a terrace.
Water quality
Saint-Jean-de-Luz's bathing sites were rated excellent or good in the national dataset (2022 rating).

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NW best, W–NNW works
Size
1.5–3 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 4 m
Period
10 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore E–S; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
NW (310°)

Live cam

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

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Pays Basque · All spots

Sources