Les Deux Jumeaux (Hendaye)

Surfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Advanced riders
What's great
  • 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.
Heads up
  • 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.
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
12–23 °C
Water Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Dec–Nov: 4/3mm–5/3mm + Boots, GlovesJun–Oct: 3/2mmJan, Feb, Mar: 4/3mm with boots in winter + BootsJun, Jul, Aug: 3/2mm in summer
Crowds by Season

Quieter than the main beach; very quiet in winter, with lineup potentially more competitive on good days.

Storm/Rain Season

Rainy in winter (November to February); rainy in winter overall.

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

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.

Reef breakPoint breakBeach break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
HelmetImpact vestLeashBootsGlovesWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Respect the local lineup; dedicated local crew presence can make the lineup sensitive.
  • Surfing only (reported as a restriction).
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Showers
Toilets
Parking
Restaurant
Bar
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn (May–September), with June to September emphasized for a mix of beach time and favorable conditions.
Château d'Abbadia2km

A neo-Gothic castle built by Antoine d'Abbadie on the Corniche Basque cliffs.

Sentier du Littoral0km

A scenic coastal hiking path from Hendaye toward Bidart along the cliffs.

The Bidasoa River Border1km

The natural border between France and Spain, including the historic Pheasant Island.

Boulevard de la Mer0.1km

A lively strip of tapas bars, seafood restaurants, and cafes overlooking the ocean.

Hendaye Marina1.5km

A sheltered harbor area offering boat tours and sailing lessons for all ages.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.