Written by Jeppe – surf blogger and former coastal lifeguard on the Danish west coast for 5 years. More about Jeppe.
Biarritz doesn’t try to out-do San Sebastián — and that’s exactly its appeal. Just across the border from the Basque Country’s most famous city, Biarritz has the same elegant seaside energy, the same Basque food culture, and a genuinely excellent city beach, but with a softer, more beginner-friendly wave and a noticeably calmer pace. If San Sebastián is the showstopper, Biarritz is the little brother who’s arguably easier to actually enjoy a surf trip in.
This guide covers when to go, where to surf, and — since a good surf trip is never just about the waves — where to eat.
Why Surf in Biarritz?
Biarritz is one of Europe’s classic surf towns, and unlike Hossegor further up the coast, it doesn’t demand advanced experience to have a good time in the water. Year-round swell, several distinct surf spots, and a Basque Country setting make it easy to fall for.
What makes it stand out:
- A genuinely beginner-friendly main beach, right in the city center
- Several distinct spots within walking distance of each other
- A real city behind the beach — restaurants, shops, and an actual town to explore on rest days
Who is Biarritz Best For?
This is the more forgiving cousin of Hossegor.
Ideal for:
- Beginners and improvers, especially at Grande Plage and Côte des Basques
- Longboarders looking for mellow, rolling waves
- Surfers traveling with a non-surfing partner who still want a proper city break
- Anyone who wants a softer entry point to French Basque surf culture
Less ideal for:
- Surfers chasing Hossegor-style barrels — head north for that
- Anyone wanting to avoid crowds — in summer, Grande Plage fills with both experienced locals and complete beginners, which can make the lineup hectic
The City Beach: Grande Plage
Grande Plage is the reason Biarritz works so well as an all-round trip. It sits right in the middle of town, framed by hotels, cafés, and the old casino, and delivers genuinely surfable beach-break waves for pretty much every level, with punchy peaks forming over the sandbanks on a west swell. It’s rare to find a wave this good a two-minute walk from your hotel room, let alone one flanked by a proper city rather than a scattered beach town.
It isn’t just for surfers, either. Biarritz’s beaches double as some of the best swimming spots on this stretch of coast, and Port Vieux — a small, sheltered cove right in town — is usually close to wave-free and ideal if part of your group just wants to swim. Between the surf, the swimming, and the promenade running along the top of the beach, Grande Plage earns its reputation as one of the best city beaches in Europe.
Where to Surf: The Main Spots
Grande Plage — The main event, right in the city center. Beginner-friendly on smaller days, with punchier peaks when the swell picks up. Best at low to mid tide, and often still surfable when conditions are too big elsewhere on the coast.
Côte des Basques — A short walk or drive south of the center, and generally considered the best all-round wave in Biarritz. Long, mellow, rolling waves make it a favorite with longboarders, and at low tide the wide beach is a great option for beginners.
Port Vieux — The gentlest wave in town, right by the harbor. On the days it breaks, it’s a good confidence-builder for total beginners who want to stay close to the city center.
Le Miramar — A reef break just north of Grande Plage, tucked in front of a cliff that shelters it from the wind. It breaks over a mix of sand and rock, so it’s better suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
When to Surf in Biarritz
Summer (June – August) Smaller, gentler waves, generally 1–3 feet — the easiest window of the year to learn in warm water, though also the busiest.
Autumn (September – October) More consistent swell and fewer crowds than summer. October stands out as one of the most reliable months, with rideable swell and light or offshore winds roughly 42% of the time.
Winter (November – February) Bigger, more powerful swells, best suited to more experienced surfers and colder water requiring a full wetsuit.
Spring (March – May) Mixed conditions and a good shoulder-season option if you want to avoid peak crowds without dealing with winter power.
Biarritz vs San Sebastián
The comparison is unavoidable, since the two towns sit less than an hour apart and share the same Basque coastline.
Biarritz
- More beginner-friendly main beach (Grande Plage)
- French Basque food and city culture
- Quieter, slightly more upscale feel
- Warmer water than Hossegor, comparable to San Sebastián
San Sebastián
- La Zurriola is also beginner-friendly, with a livelier surf scene
- Spanish Basque food culture (pintxos, cider houses)
- Bigger city, more nightlife
- Easy day trip from Biarritz if you want both
👉 If you want an easier, more relaxed base → Biarritz 👉 If you want more city energy and nightlife → San Sebastián
Realistically, you don’t have to choose — the two are close enough that basing yourself in one and day-tripping to the other is a completely reasonable plan.
Where to Eat: Casa Juan Pedro
Tucked into Biarritz’s small fishing harbor, Port des Pêcheurs, Casa Juan Pedro is exactly the kind of no-frills, right-by-the-water restaurant worth building a lunch around. It’s family-run, with a terrace looking straight out over the harbor, and the plancha cooking happens in front of you — grilled sardines, octopus salad, prawns and Spanish hake, cooked simply and served without fuss.
It doesn’t take reservations and it gets busy, so arrive a little before typical lunch or dinner hours — parking nearby can also be limited. It’s open from April through the end of October, daily for lunch and dinner, with menus from about €20 to €35. After a morning surfing Grande Plage or Côte des Basques, it’s a five-to-ten-minute walk or short drive to the harbor — well worth building into the day.
Getting There
Biarritz has its own airport, making it one of the more convenient surf destinations in the region to fly into directly.
- Biarritz Airport (BIQ) — only a few kilometers from Grande Plage, with flights connecting to several Northern European cities
- By car from Hossegor/Capbreton — under an hour, making it easy to combine both in one trip
- By car from San Sebastián — under an hour across the border
Water Temperature & Wetsuits
Biarritz runs slightly warmer than Hossegor thanks to its more southern position on the coast.
- Summer: ~20–22°C → boardshorts or a spring suit
- Autumn: ~17–19°C → 3/2 wetsuit
- Winter: ~13–14°C → 4/3 wetsuit and boots
- Spring: ~15–17°C → 3/2 or 4/3
👉 Want warm water in winter? The Canary Islands and Taghazout suit beginners, while Madeira and Cape Verde are better for experienced surfers.
Accommodation
Biarritz sits at a higher price point than some neighboring towns, reflecting its more upscale, city-resort character, but options range from budget aparthotels near the beach to grand seafront hotels. Booking central — within walking distance of Grande Plage — is worth the premium if you want to surf, eat, and explore without needing a car.
FAQ – Surfing in Biarritz
Is Biarritz good for beginners? Yes — Biarritz is one of the more beginner-friendly surf towns on this coast. Grande Plage and Côte des Basques both offer manageable waves, especially at low tide and during summer, making it noticeably easier to learn here than at Hossegor further north.
Is Biarritz like San Sebastián? They share the same Basque coastline and a similar laid-back surf-city feel, but Biarritz is generally considered the calmer, more beginner-friendly, and slightly more upscale of the two, while San Sebastián has more city energy and nightlife. Many surfers base themselves in one and visit the other as a day trip.
What’s the best beach in Biarritz? Grande Plage is the most famous and most central, offering good waves for most levels right in the middle of town. Côte des Basques is considered the best all-round wave for beginners and longboarders, while Port Vieux is the calmest option and better suited to swimming.
Where should I eat in Biarritz? Casa Juan Pedro, at the small fishing harbor of Port des Pêcheurs, is a standout — a family-run seafood restaurant with a harbor-view terrace, known for grilled sardines, octopus, and prawns at reasonable prices. It doesn’t take reservations, so go a little early.
What wetsuit do I need in Biarritz? A spring suit or boardshorts work fine in summer. Bring a 3/2 for autumn and spring, and a 4/3 with boots for winter, when water temperatures drop to around 13–14°C.
How does Biarritz compare to Hossegor? Biarritz is significantly more beginner-friendly, with softer, more manageable waves and warmer water. Hossegor has more powerful, hollow barrels and a stronger performance-surf culture, but is less forgiving for beginners. The two are under an hour apart by car, so combining both is easy.