Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Sainte-Barbe

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

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Sainte-Barbe is a right that breaks along the jetty at the north end of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, over flat rock, and is also known as la plaque. The take-off is hollow and intimidating close to the wall, but the wave then offers room for big turns. It is a fallback spot for consistent swells, working when the open coast is closing out, and is reserved for experienced surfers. The view takes in Jaizkibel, the Trois Couronnes and La Rhune.

Level
Advanced
Break
Jetty, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A shortboard, or a longboard for the passes.

When it works

✓ A 2–4 m west to west-northwest swell around high tide with a south to east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Small swells, which do not reach it, and any wind with north in it.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • currents
  • boats

Best months

January, February, October, November, December

Local tips

The take-off right by the wall is the crux; commit and get away from the rocks. Inside the bay, the 'passes' wave is a long, easy ride for longboards from low to mid tide on big days. The mood is relaxed and family-like, and regulars ask visitors to keep it that way.

Getting there

On the north jetty of the bay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a short walk from the town centre and its car parks.

Travel notes

How often it works
Wannasurf says it only breaks sometimes. It needs a big swell, so it is a spot for days when other places close out.
Crowd and vibe
Empty on weekdays and crowded at weekends. The mood is relaxed and family-like, and regulars ask visitors to keep it that way.
Camping and vans
The Erromardie campsites are about 2.5 km north, and Camping Juantcho on the Corniche is a similar distance south-west. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
It is a short walk from the town centre, with its car parks, cafés and shops.
Water quality
Saint-Jean-de-Luz's bathing sites were rated excellent or good in the national dataset (2022 rating). Water quality can drop after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, W–NNW works
Size
2–4 m offshore swell; starts at 1.5 m, holds to 5 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore NE–ESE; handles onshore up to 15 km/h
Tide
high best
Faces
W (260°)

Live cam

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

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Pays Basque · All spots

Sources