Karramarro
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced to Expert
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Karramarro is a serious, exposed left-hand break on the Getaria–Zarautz stretch that tends to “only work once in a while.” It’s described as a powerful, reef-rocky/point-style wave with long peeling walls, and it typically requires the right combination of swell size and direction to activate. The break is reef/rock-influenced, and the hazards are a core part of the spot’s character. Expect sharp rocks/reef and, depending on conditions, strong currents or rip-current risk—especially during larger swell. Entry and exit are also described as difficult compared to easier sandy beaches, so it’s not a spot to approach without proper experience with heavy reef breaks. When conditions line up, the wave starts working around roughly 2 m–2.5 m and can hold well into 5 m+ swells on better days. Low tide is repeatedly cited as the best tide position, with additional notes that it can work through rising/falling tides. For wind, it’s most favorable with offshore flow from the southwest/SW direction, while North winds are described as blowing the face out. January is singled out as a best month, and the spot can still draw weekend crowds when it’s on despite generally being relatively niche.
- Long, peeling left walls when conditions match.
- Low tide is typically the best tide window.
- Offshore southwest winds can groom the face.
- Powerful, long left-hand rides when it breaks.
- Offshore SW winds can improve surf by grooming the face.
- Low tide is typically the best window for lineup/entry.
- Only works once in a while; access and entry/exit can be difficult.
- Reef/rock hazards and strong currents/rip currents are a serious risk.
- Fickle wind and swell requirements for consistent surf.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- SW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Wind described as frontal (provider detail).
- Reliability
- 28% blown out / 47% clean in January (provider split data)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts indicated by one provider.
- Best Months
- January, February
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs provide some protection from North winds but can create turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Concrete — Beach composition described as concrete by one provider; other provider describes rocks/flat rocks/rocky shoreline.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Huge — Sources describe big/huge waves with working size starting around 2 m–2.5 m and holding over 5 m.
- Launch
- Small — Small cove with instant access from the road; entry via rocky shoreline along the coastal road.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Access not easy; entry/exit described as difficult.
Through the year
Weekends can be crowded when it’s on; weekdays are usually few surfers.
Autumn and winter.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A fairly exposed left-hand point break/reef-rocky break between Getaria and Zarautz that only works once in a while. It is serious, heavy, and reef-influenced, with powerful long rides.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, NW
- Swell Height
- 2–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low — Low tide only / best around low; rising and falling tides were also noted as usable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed point/reef with cliffs that can provide some protection from North winds but may create turbulence.
- Wind Effect
- Best in offshore winds from the southwest; offshore SW winds groom the face. North winds are described as blowing it out.
- Bigger Swell
- Starts working around 2 m–2.5 m and can hold massive swells over 5 m; can hold up to ~5 m+ (reported).
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality described as regional classic/peeling; one source also states average quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Peeling
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Long peeling left walls; reports vary from long sessions to exceptional longer rides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Commonly reported around 150–300 m; one source notes 50–150 m normal length and up to ~300 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Karramarro in the full forecast view.
Karramarro wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–9 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- SW234°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 259 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–3.4 m11s period
- Temperature
- 10–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Karramarro is forecast for daytime winds of 1–9 kts, peaking around 9 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.7–3.4 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
- Reef
- Rip currents
- Strong currents
- Large swell
- Difficult entry/exit
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards indicated for this spot (provider detail).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context notes limited professional lifeguard/Red Cross presence on main beaches in summer months; this spot itself indicates no lifeguards.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Zarautz or San Sebastián; Spain’s universal emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Described as a niche spot that draws locals when it is on.
Rules of the spot
Respect local priority and do not attempt unless experienced with big-wave reef/point conditions. No specific additional rules were found; treat it as a serious line requiring experience.
- Not recommended unless experienced with big-wave reef/point breaks.
- Works best around low tide.
- Check the forecast for large North/Northwest swells.
- Park safely off the main road to avoid traffic hazards.
- Access is not easy, but the cove can be quieter when it is on.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- San Sebastian
- Nearest Town
- Getaria
- Parking
- Limited parking along the N-634 road shoulder; use caution as the road is narrow and busy.
- Access
- Visible from the road connecting Zarautz and Getaria; instant access (< 5min walking) from the road, but entry is described as not easy/typically via the rocky shoreline along the coastal road.
- Local Language
- Spanish, Basque
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in Getaria and Zarautz.
- Food & Drink
- Numerous restaurants and bars in Getaria.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf shops in nearby Zarautz offer rentals.
- Gear Storage
- Some surf schools in Zarautz and Zumaia provide daily or seasonal locker/board storage services for a fee (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Repair services are available at surf shops in Zarautz (provider detail).
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 Karramarro?
The best overall months at Karramarro are January, February, December. The best wind months are January, February.
Which wind directions work at Karramarro?
Karramarro works with S, SSW, SW, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are SW.
What skill level is Karramarro suitable for?
Karramarro suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced to Expert.