Surfing Waves

Hey folks!

Just wanted to ask anybody who's familiar with France's westcoast for some travelling advice.

Here's the battleplan, in late july, three mates and me are travelling to Bordeaux. We're thinking about staying here 1-2days (as I have heard it is worth checking out), after these days, we are planning on renting a car and then travelling down to Biaritz.

We're planning on travelling down the westcoast, making surfstops along the way.. So, here's the first question:

- When travelling from Bordeaux to Biaritz via the coast; what stops do you recommend we make? And how is the westcoast when it comes to surf localism?

After approx 2-3 days travelling the westcoast, we are keen on staying in Biaritz; just surfing from morning till' evening, and getting some beers at night. Here's the second question:

- What do people recommend regarding hostels or camps in Biaritz? Anything which is both affordable and nice, plus close to the beach? Two of the guys have to rent surfboards; how are the prices on renting?

Appreciate any response guys! Have a great day.

Dont stay so long in Bordeaux, go surfing - you dont want to miss a good swell during summertime..

when you drive from Bord to Biarritz, you're always behind the dunes so there will be no "oh this looks nice, lets try"...take a map and check the common surfspots, I hope theres no need to mention a stop in hossegor and other surftowns down there..

locals are used to heavy tourism, no need to bring a gun

dont know about hotels there, I wasn't more than 1 hour in Biarritz and doont like the idea of surfing a crowded beach like the bay there when there is so much space...

Thanks for the reply Rico! Appreciate it.

Rico wrote:when you drive from Bord to Biarritz, you're always behind the dunes so there will be no "oh this looks nice, lets try"... get a map

Very very true... you'll find that in the majority of cases there is 5m of forest to wlk / drive / get stuck in before you reach the coast :p

I notice someone mentioned Hossegor; does anyone know if similar conditions to Hossegor can be found ~15 km to the north near Messanges/Port D'Albert/Le Penon?

I've just booked a holiday there (Le Vieux Port at Messanges) but am feeling worried that we should have booked nearer Hossegor...

AlexMC wrote:I notice someone mentioned Hossegor; does anyone know if similar conditions to Hossegor can be found ~15 km to the north near Messanges/Port D'Albert/Le Penon?

I've just booked a holiday there (Le Vieux Port at Messanges) but am feeling worried that we should have booked nearer Hossegor...

No problem at ll. If there is swell you will find it where u are based.

Sweet, thank you!

don allesandro, I was in Bidart, a smaller town about 20 mins south of biarritz a few years ago, its lovely, theres a campsite about 2 miles away, and a rental shop in across the road from one of the beaches, it mite be a good stop for you..., mite even head back there myself this summer

We were just north of Hossegor between 11-18 June this year and we didn't get more than 1.5ft and choppy for the whole week... kinda disappointing!

Yes ive always fancied paddling out at hossegor!
I hear its an excellent place for learning to learn!
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IkCLcrjrPlM

KS