Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye)
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Swell
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) is a right-hand surf spot known for its powerful, reef-influenced waves shaped by a patch of reef and the twin rocks (“Jumeaux”). The break is described as a reef/point/beach-break combination, producing fun, peeling rights with a strong reputation as a regional classic. The wave is most often set up for experienced surfers. Hazards include sharp rocks, submerged reef, and sea urchins, and conditions can become dangerously shallow when the tide is too low. The recommended tide position is mid tide (with additional guidance that rising mid-tide is particularly good), and the wave commonly delivers standard rides around 50 to 150 meters, extending to very long sessions (up to roughly 300–500 meters) on the best days. For swell and wind, sources converge on a working swell from the north through northwest to west (with reported working ranges that can start around 1 meter and hold up to about 3–4 meters, depending on the note). Wind is described with a thermal/gradient influence and a typical range around 10–20 knots; east to south winds are preferred, and south to south-east winds are reported as especially offshore, helping groom the face. Access is from the northern end / north-east part of Hendaye beach, with a short walk from town-center parking (about 5–15 minutes). Safety and local etiquette matter: rescue availability is limited, lifeguard presence can be seasonal, and localism is repeatedly highlighted—so respecting the lineup and being prudent around the reef at the right tide are key to enjoying this spot.
- Right-hand reef break with twin rocks
- Powerful waves that hold bigger swell
- Long ride potential on good days
- Powerful, right-hand reef/point-style surf with excellent long-ride potential on good days.
- Works with a range of swells, and holds size well for larger swell setups.
- Clean water quality reported and access is relatively straightforward from the northern end of the beach.
- Reef/rocks and sea urchins make it hazardous, especially at low tide.
- Lineup can be sensitive due to localism.
- Limited rescue availability (and lifeguard coverage may be seasonal depending on zone).
- Launch/conditions are not ideal for beginners compared with the main Hendaye beach breaks.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, E, SE, S, SW
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE, SE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Reported thermal/gradient wind regime with strong directional offshore effects for surf
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Described as steady; also reported light gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs to the east can create wind shadows in certain easterly directions
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach with reef/rock features where the wave breaks
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium-sized waves; also reported as working around ~1–4m depending on swell
- Launch
- Medium — Beach access from the northern end with paddle out to the reef
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Some notes describe easy access; other notes describe moderate difficulty due to tide/reef and paddle out.
Through the year
Quieter than the main beach; very quiet in winter, with lineup potentially more competitive on good days.
Rainy in winter (November to February); rainy in winter overall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Right-hand reef break with two twin rocks; the reef patch can help groom rides. Power and ability to hold larger swells than nearby main beach breaks.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNW, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is preferred; rising and falling tides both work (rising mid-tide mentioned).
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Semi-sheltered relative to the open coast; located at the far end of the beach with cliff influence.
- Wind Effect
- Best with east to south winds; south and south-east reported as perfectly offshore, grooming the face.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well; becomes high-performance when larger swell arrives and can be preferred when other parts close out.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic; also described as good
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Regional classic with strong/powerful rights
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling/powerful right-hand reef break
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Also reported as fast at times
- Ride Length
- Medium — Standard rides 50–150m; very long on good days up to 300–500m
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–500 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides 50–150m; very long 300–500m on good days. Typical ride lengths reported around 100–300m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) in the full forecast view.
Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–12 ktsGusts 22 kts
- Direction
- WSW253°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2512 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–3.6 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–12 kts, peaking around 12 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 22 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.7–3.6 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
- sea urchins
- submerged reef
- localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard zones are referenced; elsewhere described as no lifeguard service for the naturist zone.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited overall for the spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Emergency number 112 is available in the region.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Also described as mild in some notes; overall presented as a sensitive local lineup.
Rules of the spot
Respect the local lineup; this is a sensitive spot with local surfers. Naturist beach zone nearby—respect local norms where applicable.
- Respect the local lineup; dedicated local crew presence can make the lineup sensitive.
- Surfing only (reported as a restriction).
- Paddle out from the northern end of the beach.
- Check the tide carefully—too low can make the reef dangerously shallow.
- Best on a rising mid-tide.
- Prudence required: reef and rocks make it more suitable when swell is big and technique is strong.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hendaye
- Nearest Town
- Hendaye
- Parking
- Parking available in Hendaye town or near the beach; paid beachfront parking referenced along Boulevard de la Mer and in designated lots near the casino.
- Access
- From the north-east part of Hendaye beach; short walk (5–15 minutes) from the town center. Access referenced via the northern end of Grande Plage de Hendaye (near the parking areas).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, apartments, and surf camps within walking distance across Hendaye and the seafront areas.
- Food & Drink
- Many cafes and restaurants along the beachfront promenade; nearby cafes and restaurants.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via surfboard rental shops in the town center and along the beach; rentals also referenced through surf schools.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Hendaye provide board repair services.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A neo-Gothic castle built by Antoine d'Abbadie on the Corniche Basque cliffs.
A scenic coastal hiking path from Hendaye toward Bidart along the cliffs.
The natural border between France and Spain, including the historic Pheasant Island.
A lively strip of tapas bars, seafood restaurants, and cafes overlooking the ocean.
A sheltered harbor area offering boat tours and sailing lessons for all ages.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye)?
The best overall months at Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) are October, November, December, January, February, March, September. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye)?
Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) works with N, NE, E, SE, S, SW winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE, SE, E.
What skill level is Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) suitable for?
Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.