Bidart
- Bodyboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bidart (La Côte Basque) is an exposed beach break known for relatively reliable surfing and a year-round setup. The spot is described as working with both swell and wind influence, with October specifically singled out as the best month for consistent, clean conditions. Wind and wave interactions matter here: the best wind direction is described as southeast, and local surf guidance notes that clean offshore conditions are most likely when conditions align in October. Spot-level monthly figures indicate that in October waves are clean about half the time and blown out about 40% of the time. The wave form is described as an a-frame beach break with mixed reef-and-sand character, producing both lefts and rights. Several sources also emphasize that conditions are best around mid-tide; the wave can become “very fat” at high tide and can close out at low tide. On larger swell, it may close out when swell gets heavy (around the 2.5 m threshold mentioned in spot-level guidance). Safety is a key concern: hazards include rocks and pollution after heavy rain, with extra attention needed around the Uhabia river mouth. Rip currents can occur (particularly near the river mouth and rocky areas). Local tips recommend walking the beach first to identify a safe entry and checking water quality reports after heavy rainfall.
- October highlighted as the best month (southeast wind/offshore conditions).
- Exposed beach break with lefts and rights.
- Mid-tide generally favors the best wave shape.
- Reliable, exposed beach break with year-round workable surf.
- October is highlighted as the best month for consistent conditions, with southeast winds commonly offshore.
- Good visitor infrastructure (parking, facilities, and surf schools).
- Water quality can deteriorate after heavy rainfall due to river discharge.
- Rocks and rip currents increase risk, especially near the river mouth and rocky ends.
- Crowds can be significant in peak summer.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sources describe a sea-breeze influence (and, for the spot’s surf context, a dominant southeast offshore wind in October).
- Reliability
- About 50% clean in October; about 40% blown out in October (spot-level monthly figures).
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some protection from North/Northeast winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — A second source describes typical surf as medium depending on conditions.
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Water type described as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with some rocky outcroppings at either end.
Through the year
Very crowded in July and August; moderately busy during spring and autumn weekends.
October to January, often with strong Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Generally not a primary kitesurfing destination due to narrow launch areas and summer restrictions. Can be used by experienced riders in winter with specific wind directions.
Possible when the swell is small, but shore break and rocks make it challenging for beginners. Better options exist nearby for foiling.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
Exposed beach break (La Côte Basque / Bidart) with mixed reef-and-sand character; can work year-round with best wind/swell combination in October.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Spot-level notes indicate best conditions at mid-tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break; cliffs offer some protection from N/NE winds.
- Wind Effect
- East and Southeast winds provide clean, offshore conditions for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when swell exceeds about 2.5 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Average — Clean waves are found about 50% of the time in October; ~40% of the time conditions are blown out.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Often described as an a-frame setup.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves typically offer rides of about 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbank configuration.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–100 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically offer rides of 50 to 100 meters depending on sandbank configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bidart in the full forecast view.
Bidart wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–17 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- WSW254°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.1 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bidart is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–4.1 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Pollution after heavy rain
- Rip currents (especially near the river mouth and rocky areas)
- Crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard station active during the summer season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard station is active during the summer season.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Priority rules apply in the lineup. Designated swimming zones are strictly enforced during the summer months.
- Kitesurfing banned in July and August.
- Summer surfing restrictions in swimming areas.
- Walk the beach to identify safe entry before paddling.
- Check water quality reports after heavy rain due to the Uhabia river mouth.
- The spot is best at mid-tide; it can get very fat at high tide and close out at low tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Biarritz
- Nearest Town
- Bidart
- Parking
- Free car parking available near the beach off the N10; large parking lot available directly at the beach (fills quickly in summer).
- Public Transport
- Public bus services connect Bidart with Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Access
- Free car parking available near the beach off the N10; public bus services connect Bidart with Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous campsites, hotels, and holiday rentals available within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Several restaurants and snack bars directly overlooking the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at multiple surf schools and shops in the immediate vicinity.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by some local surf schools for their students.
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard repair shops are located in the nearby town center and Biarritz.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bidart?
The best overall months at Bidart are October, November. The best wind months are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Bidart?
Bidart works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE.
What skill level is Bidart suitable for?
Bidart suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.