Almost all of the waves in these areas are beach breaks; the waves are not incredibly steep or powerful but provide a great amount of fun and are perfect for long boarding or mastering the sport without fear of injury. They peel nicely and often one wave will break both left and right off a bank. The waves break on banks and can move from day to day so it pays to spend a few minutes watching the sets before entering the water. Because the beaches are long rips and undertows are common and provide perfect channels to get out the back quickly. On a 3ft day you might not even get you hair wet, paddling out can be that easy.
Don’t be fooled, while one day it can be millpond flat when an Atlantic swell crosses the ocean and hits the beaches of Bordeaux it can be huge and powerful. Be prepared for a range of different sized waves. Also the size of the waves are measured in their faces not the size of the swell or to the bottom of the trough, head high and 6ft is just what they say it is.
Favorite Breaks:
La Rochelle To Bordeaux (France):
This area is quite literally littered with surf spots, If I was to list them I would feel like I was name dropping world famous waves. This beach is almost constant, however it is recognised that the northern parts of the beach towards La Rochelle including Caracans hold a bigger swell when it is scarce. The islands (lle d’Oleronoff and La Flotte) off La Rochelle provide some magnificent views are easily accessible and surfing is world class.
Further south I would recommend the smaller towns of Biscarrosse-Plage and Mimizan as destinations, the surf tends to be clean and enjoyable, the smaller towns are easily manageable and smaller populations result in less people competing for your waves.
Between Bordeaux and San Sebastian (Sth France to Nth Spain):
Hossegor or Seignosse has the most powerful beach breaks. The main surf spot is Estagnots belonging to the village Seignosse. Biarritz is quite probably the surfing capital of Europe. This is obvious as all the local villages have people wandering through the town, having a coffee with surf boards. It can be good surf by the stone pier at Plage des Cavalier. La Grand Plage isn’t always that good because of water pollution that can frequent the area; however a little further north of the main beach there are plenty of banks and this is where the lifeguards are stationed.
San Sebastian towards Bilbao (Spain):
Mundacca is the best and reputed to be the longest left wave in Europe. The spot is located at a place called Amorebieta, to get there you follow the auto route and turn off in direction of Guernica.
What is amazing about the surfing and beaches in France/Spain is that the Atlantic Ocean and even the Mediterranean Sea are incredible playgrounds. France offers every type of beach no matter the taste including families and pensioners to pro surfers and fussy celebrities and those looking for a cheap hoilday destination.
Local Towns:
Arcachon (France)
This small resort on Cote d’Argent near Bordeaux is encircled by France’s largest pine wood and offers small and delectable beaches, it is a elegant and beautiful city with large amounts of culture and history. A couple of kilometres south is the Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe. This area is magnificant, large offshore sandbanks protect this area from surf, however a boat could provide access to some incredible offshore surfing, where you would be all alone.
Saint-Jean de Luz (France - Just)
A peite seaside resort a few minutes from the Spanish boarder and in the heart of the Basque Country. Saint-Jean de Luz has stunning beaches, good surfing, shops, cafes and markets.
Biarritz (Spain)
Each year During the Surf Festival each July, surfers from France, Hawaii, Australia and California come here to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz. Aside from great waves, this posh town offers popular beaches, superb cooking, golf courses, several sporting facilities and a nearly constant breeze. Early morning is the key here over summer the 35degree temperatures are magnificant, but mean that its often onshore by 0900 in the morning.
NOTE: Throught south of France especially the Bourdeoux region from Mimizan to Cacans and south to Biarritz you will encounter crowds however if you move away from the main walkway to the beach and the lifeguard towers you can find yourself a nice piece of beach or waves you will often have to yourself especially if your early. Take everything you need because the cost of buying anything from these areas is often exorbidant especially if you travel over peak season.
