Carraspio Beach (Mendexa)
- Shortboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Carraspio Beach (Playa de Carraspio / Playa de Karraspio) is a sandy, medium-sized beach-break on the Mendexa side, practically serving the nearby Lekeitio coastline. The surf is generally described as manageable for learning, with short, punchy waves that can produce both lefts and rights when conditions line up. Tide is a major driver of quality. High tide is consistently highlighted as the best moment for wave shape, while low tide is more prone to close-outs. The spot’s interaction with San Nicolás Island offshore is also important: the island can influence how the sets travel and, on occasion, may contribute to a higher-quality left on the eastern side. Hazards are meaningful despite the beginner orientation. Sources point to rocks and submerged obstacles around the beach ends and near the San Nicolás Island walkway area, along with rip currents that can develop in the estuary setting. Seasonal summer crowding adds additional context to water-time decisions. For overall planning, winds are reported as front-driven and with offshore grooming effects when the wind comes from the south/southwest. Rescue/lifeguard coverage is described as limited/seasonal, so it’s especially important to factor in currents, tide height, and where you enter relative to the island and any rocky sections.
- High tide favored for better wave shape; low tide often closes out
- Short, beginner-friendly beach-break waves (often up to ~50 m on good days)
- San Nicolás Island nearby influences set behavior and can create occasional lefts
- Rocks and rip currents require careful entry and spacing
- Beginner-friendly beach-break option when swell is sufficient
- Typically short, manageable rides (useful for learning)
- Grooming winds are possible with the right wind direction/angle
- Facilities and services are present close to the beach (food/drink and visitor amenities)
- Tide-sensitive: low tide can lead to close-outs and reduced workable wave shape
- Rocks and submerged obstacles near San Nicolás Island increase risk
- Rip currents can form in the estuary setting
- Can get crowded at peak summer periods and weekends
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SW, SE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Front-driven conditions are reported, with seasonal offshore/off-grooming effects depending on the wind angle.
- Reliability
- Moderate reliability; primarily driven by Atlantic frontal systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, November, December, October
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs to the west and the island can create wind shadows depending on wind angle.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Fine sandy beach.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Another source describes the spot as working with medium surf conditions when swell is sufficient.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy entry space that narrows significantly at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy access; calm waters are mentioned for access/entry.
Through the year
High crowds in July and August; quieter during shoulder seasons.
Higher rainfall from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
The beach is described as suitable for sailing, but detailed windsurf-specific launch or wind guidance isn’t provided in the sources.
A versatile beach-break with short, punchy waves and both lefts and rights; works best with the right tide and enough swell to open up.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- High, All tides — High tide is repeatedly highlighted for best wave shape; at low tide it more easily close-outs.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — San Nicolás Island offshore can slightly protect the most energetic parts, but the spot is still influenced by exposed estuary/coastal dynamics.
- Wind Effect
- South and Southwest winds are described as offshore here, grooming waves into cleaner faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large swells, but often holds up to around 2 meters before becoming messy; it needs a bigger swell to break.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — One source describes peeling waves; another describes mixed shape depending on tide.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Rides are generally short and punchy; good days can reach up to ~50 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Under ~50 m is commonly described, with ~30–50 m on good days.
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) in the full forecast view.
Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–9 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- SSE154°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–2.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 0.5–2.7 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
- Rip currents can form, particularly near rocky areas and around San Nicolas
- Summer crowds
- Submerged obstacles near San Nicolas island
- Tidal change affects beach width
- Offshore island and changing estuary setting may complicate reading the spot
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical services are available in Lekeitio; Hospital de Galdakao is the regional reference.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
In summer months, surfing may be restricted to designated zones or specific hours to avoid conflict with swimmers.
- Seasonal swimming zones
- Best wave shape is at high tide; at low tide it often closes out.
- Check the walkway to San Nicolas island at low tide for a unique view of the break.
- Expect more usable beach area at low tide than high tide.
- San Nicolás Island is offshore and the sets may pass on its eastern side; on occasions a quality left appears there.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lekeitio
- Nearest Town
- Mendexa
- Parking
- Car park at the entrance; pay parking near the beach in summer that fills quickly on sunny days.
- Access
- Accessible via BI-3438; the beach is across the river from Lekeitio. Access is described as an easy walk from the road with car access/parking at the entrance.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Basque
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Various apartments and small hotels in Lekeitio and Mendexa, plus a nearby campsite.
- Food & Drink
- Bars and restaurants are described behind the beach and in the nearby town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available via local surf schools and shops.
- Gear Storage
- No public lockers were reported.
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs can be handled by local surf shops in the area.
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 Carraspio Beach (Mendexa)?
The best overall months at Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) are October, November, December, January, February. The best wind months are January, February, March, November, December, October.
Which wind directions work at Carraspio Beach (Mendexa)?
Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) works with S, SW, SE winds.
What skill level is Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) suitable for?
Carraspio Beach (Mendexa) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.