Erromardie
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Erromardie is a Basque right-hand point break near Saint-Jean-de-Luz, known for long, peeling walling waves over a boulder/reef-strewn bottom. The break is described as exposed overall, while the bay setting can provide some shelter variations. When conditions line up, surfers can get rides averaging roughly 50–150 m, with exceptional days extending toward 300 m. The spot is most reliable from autumn into late winter, and multiple sources emphasize that the best window typically involves October through March. Wave performance is tied closely to tide and swell: it generally works at mid and high tide, with a rising tide often recommended to avoid the most hazardous rocks. Optimal swell direction is reported as northwest (with west also working), while wind guidance repeatedly points to East/Southeast winds producing cleaner, more offshore shaping for the wave. Safety is a major theme for this launch. Hazards include reefs, rocks, and large boulders, plus strong rip currents that can form during larger swells and outgoing tides. Local community enforcement of priority rules and moderate localism are also highlighted—plus there are reports of seasonal restrictions such as no-sport zones in summer. For the surf specifically, locals advise timing around mid-to-rising tide to reduce exposure to the most dangerous sections and keeping an eye on shore break risk when exiting. Across other sports, kitesurfing is reported as very rare due to the rocky shoreline and competing surf activity, and it’s generally discouraged during peak surfing hours. Wingfoiling is described as possible but challenging, with difficult launching at low tide and a need for at least mid-to-high tide depth.
- Long right-hand walling waves over a rocky point
- Best at mid to high tide with rising tide often improving safety
- Autumn-to-late-winter swell reliability
- Offshore-cleaner winds with East/Southeast guidance
- Long walling right-hand point break with rides commonly 50–150 m and up to ~300 m on good days
- Works at mid to high tide, with rising tide often improving access to safer sections
- Water quality is reported clean
- Seasonal lifeguards and nearby medical access in the local area
- Dangerous rocky/reef bottom with boulders (especially at lower water)
- Strong currents can develop, particularly during larger swells and outgoing tides
- Moderate localism and strict priority expectations during surf hours
- Consistency can be mixed; best conditions depend on swell and wind timing
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, E
- Offshore directions
- SE, E, SSE
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Offshore-cleaner conditions reported with East/Southeast winds; occasional light sea breezes in warmer months.
- Reliability
- variable
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Shadow Zones
- Some shelter from high cliffs to the south within the bay.
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug · Dir: NW, NNE, WNW · Light sea breezes can occur in spring and summer afternoons; regional cluster window commonly reports afternoon/early evening strengthening.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Rocks — Mixed rocky shoreline with scattered boulders/rocks.
- Beach Size
- Tidal
- Waves
- Small — Sources range from small to medium; can build up to about 2.5 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Narrow sandy access with rocks and boulders along the shoreline; rocky navigation required.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Launching/entry can be difficult depending on water level due to exposed rocks and underwater reefs.
Through the year
Can be crowded in July and August; otherwise relatively quiet on weekdays but busier during good swell periods.
Winter months (December to February) can see heavy Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Very rarely practiced due to rocky shoreline, limited beach space at high tide, and surf activity. Better suited only for advanced riders on specifically windy days with West winds.
Possible but challenging due to rocky bottom and wave power; launching is difficult at low tide due to exposed boulders. Safe only at mid to high tide.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- Only safe at mid to high tide.
Exposed Basque right-hand point break that peels over a boulder/reef-strewn bottom, offering long walling rights and mellower lefts. Works best at mid to high tide (especially rising).
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Rising tide preferred to avoid the most dangerous rocks.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Point-bay exposure with cliffs providing some shelter from swell/wind variations; still described as exposed overall.
- Wind Effect
- East or Southeast winds reported to provide cleaner, more offshore conditions for shaping; offshore-from-southeast conditions are noted for better shape and tubularity.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to about 2.5 m+; beyond the top range it can become very heavy and difficult to manage.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic / good quality when the swell and wind line up.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — 50–150 m typical; up to 300 m on good/excellent days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Average rides commonly reported around 50–150 m; exceptional days can extend up to roughly 300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Erromardie in the full forecast view.
Erromardie wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- WSW255°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.3 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Erromardie is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–4.3 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
- reef
- rocks
- boulders
- strong rip currents
- strong currents
- localism
- shore break at high tide
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability specifically reported as limited at the spot; wider region reports high coastal coverage with seasonal lifeguards at major beaches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is reported in Saint-Jean-de-Luz; emergency number reported as 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Moderate localism with priority rules strictly enforced.
Rules of the spot
Priority rules are strictly enforced by the local community; respect local surfers due to moderate localism. Seasonal no-sport zones are reported in summer.
- Seasonal lifeguard zones
- No-sport zones in summer
- Kitesurfing is generally discouraged during peak surfing hours
- Best surfed on a rising mid-tide to avoid the most dangerous rocks.
- Right-hand waves are powerful and best at higher tide; lefts are mellower but still limited by the rocky bottom.
- Watch for rocks under the northern cliff when paddling for right-hand waves.
- Keep an eye on the shore break when exiting at high tide.
- Right-hand waves can become very heavy to manage once swell builds beyond the top end.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Nearest Town
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Parking
- Easy parking at the end of the road following signs for Plage d'Erromardie, Chemin d'Erromardie (but it fills up quickly in summer).
- Access
- Accessible via Chemin d'Erromardie from the northern end of Saint-Jean-de-Luz; follow signs for Plage d'Erromardie. Parking at/near the beachfront fills up quickly in summer.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French (Basque also spoken locally)
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several campsites are reported within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal beach bars and restaurants overlooking the bay.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops are available in the center of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
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 Erromardie?
The best overall months at Erromardie are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Erromardie?
Erromardie works with S, SSE, E winds. Offshore directions are SE, E, SSE.
What skill level is Erromardie suitable for?
Erromardie suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.