Trip to North Spain or Southwestern France

[nakki]

Hi,

We are looking 1-2 great locations to surf in May-June. I've been in San Sebastian but I didn't like that. (too big city for my taste) Does anyone have experiences of Hendaye (France), Santander (Spain) or other good places close to those areas? Hossegor might be too difficult to our level and Biarritz is also quite "big tourist city". We are looking for something like Ericeira and Peniche kind of thing and a big plus would be that you can see the spot from your apartment. Hammock and just looking at the spot

Thanks in advance!

[jaffa1949]

Nakki, check out Peniche and Baleal , that may well suit your needs, in Portugal, there are a number of villas, hostels and air BnBs overlooking the breaks!

[Caine]

Hi Nakki,

Hossegor isnt always pumping as you see in the videos and that is mainly the signature wave of this area La Graviere.
So when its on it will be kind of crowded. But if you leave la Graviere there are other spots around.

As you can see on google maps the coastline from Hossegor up to Soulac-sur-mer is very even and it is all beach breaks. That means if there is swell and the wind is right you can find good waves everywhere and when its crap you dont need to waste any time looking around. So every beach town will do it for you. You may have a look at Biscarosse Plage or Lacanau.

A rugged up coastline on the other hand like in Galicia or Nothern France would give you the opportunity to find more divers surf spots in terms swell direction and wind sensitivity, which is a big plus imho. But the water will be more chilly in these areas.

[nakki]

Hi Jaffa and Caina,

Jaffa: Thank you for the tips and I definitely agree with you! However we've been in Portugal for two years in a row. Now it's time to explore somwhere else

Caine: Thanks for the reply! I will check Biscarosse plage and Lacanau, also we have a car for the hole journey so it is possible to move between different places. What I realize in Portugal for the progression it is good (at least for my skill level) to stay in one or two places to learn that specific spot (break,wind, currents etc). This is how I'll get the most of it.

[Oldie]

Hi, we have been in France the last 4 years, surfed in La Tranche s/Mer (Vendee), Biscarosse Plage, Lacanau, Seignosse and Biarritz (Cote Basque).

From my observations the southern part (Landes) had consistently higher surf. That may be related to the Ocean being deeper than in the North, or just coincindence through the location of storms.

The Northern Atlantic coast has the advantage of more reef breaks, cliffs, smaller coves. But it also means it gets overcrowded fast, unless you know some secret spots ( I don't).

Lacanau is the key spot near Bordeaux - pretty consistent, regular contest site, can be busy. Small Beach, spots directly located along the Promenade.

South of Bordeaux up to around Seignosse you have mostly beach breaks with wides beaches - lots of space for everybody. Biscarosse Plage and Seignosse/Hossegor are nice towns to stay at - the spots in between more camp feeling.

More South between Hossegor and San Seabstian beaches get tighter, but some very nice spots, too.

Biarritz - Grand Plage super super super full. Cote Basque - almost the same, access/parking a bit inconvenient. But very nice waves, too. If you go in May, it might still be ok.

If I were to chose in the moment, I would go for Seignosse (North of La Graviere) or Biscarosse. Seignosse is, at least in summer, much more expensive.