Les Flots Bleus
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Shallow
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Flots Bleus is a small, sheltered point/beach break in the harbor/bay area near Ciboure. It’s described as a rare “repli” style wave: the break tends to be infrequent and often flat outside of the strongest swell conditions, especially when compared with much of the surrounding coastline. For surfing, the spot typically only starts working when the swell is over about 3.5m, and it can hold up to roughly 5m and over. When it does fire, it provides mellow, good-quality waves that offer both left and right waves, with short ride lengths (normally under 50m, with a reported typical length around 40m). Tide timing matters: it’s best at mid and high tide, with additional notes that it can work during rising and falling tides. Wind is variable for surf and is described as low reliability for surfing (storm-dependent), while the bay’s sheltering cliffs/dikes help keep conditions more manageable when the wave appears. Safety is a key concern at this spot. The wave breaks over boulders and is close to harbor walls, with reports of heavy boat traffic in the channel and strong currents during the massive swells required for the spot to work. Seasonal lifeguards are reported, rescue is described as limited, and summer surfing restrictions apply within marked swimming zones.
- Activates only on very large Atlantic swells (over ~3.5m)
- Beginner-friendly right and left when firing
- Sheltered bay setup producing mellow inside waves
- Short rides (<50m) over a boulder bottom
- Beginner-friendly wave once it starts working
- Mellow, sheltered conditions inside the bay when activated
- Clear tide preference (mid/high) and good wave quality when firing
- Short rides and easy right/left options
- Only breaks when the Atlantic swell is very large
- Often limited/infrequent in summer
- Submerged boulders and nearby harbor infrastructure create risk
- Heavy boat traffic in the channel can be hazardous
- Rescue described as limited at this spot
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, SE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal Atlantic patterns reported for the bay/region.
- Reliability
- Low for surfing (depends on major storms); moderate for general wind sports in the bay.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Shadow Zones
- The bay is heavily sheltered by surrounding cliffs and dikes.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Shallow
- Beach
- Mixed — Reports conflict between sand and rocks; boulder/rock bottom is consistently described for the break.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Wave size at the break is described as small, despite the need for large outside swell to trigger the repli.
- Launch
- Small — Typically from rocky shore or a small beach area near the dike; limited space at high tide.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One source rates access/launch as easy; another rates it as moderate due to rocky shore and obstacles.
Through the year
Can get crowded when it is the only rideable spot during big storms.
Winter months (November to March) see the most frequent storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
The bay is described as a hub for windsurfing in sheltered conditions, with freeride and foiling options.
- Sail Sizes
- 5–7.5 m²
Sheltered bay conditions make it suitable for wingfoiling; foilers should stay clear of shallow boulders at the surf break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Les Flots Bleus is a rare, shelter-style point/beach break inside the protected bay that only starts working when the Atlantic swell is very large (over about 3.5m), offering an easy right-and-left setup that can be beginner-friendly when it’s actually firing.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW, NW, S
- Swell Height
- 3.5–5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Best at mid and high tide; works across rising and falling tides when swell is sufficient.
- Shelter
- Sheltered — Sheltered by the surrounding harbor/bay setup; the wave only appears when the outside swell is massive.
- Wind Effect
- East and South-East winds are reported as offshore for grooming in this setup.
- Bigger Swell
- Only starts working once the swell outside is massive (roughly over 3–4 meters). Can hold up to around 5m and over when conditions align.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Soft — Mellow inside-bay waves when the shelter spot activates.
- Wave Shape
- Mushy — Mushy, mellow peeling over boulders inside the bay when it breaks.
- Peel Speed
- Slow
- Ride Length
- Short — Short (<50m); typical ride reported around 40m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 40–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short rides that peel along boulders; reports include left and right waves with short length (<50m, sometimes ~40m).
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Flots Bleus in the full forecast view.
Les Flots Bleus wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- WSW250°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–3.8 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Flots Bleus is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.7–3.8 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
- Submerged boulders
- Proximity to harbor walls
- Heavy boat traffic in the channel
- Large boulders near the rocky shore/small beach area
- Strong currents can be present in the bay during the massive swells required for this spot to work
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect the navigation channel for boats entering and leaving the harbor of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Surfing restricted within marked swimming zones during summer months.
- Surfing restricted within marked swimming zones during summer months
- Only check this spot when the ocean is completely maxed out elsewhere.
- Park near the Socoa side for easier access.
- Avoid approaching the shallow boulders at the surf break.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Nearest Town
- Ciboure
- Parking
- Small parking off Bd Thiers (often full in summer); street parking uphill toward Sainte-Barbe also mentioned. Public parking also noted along Quai Maurice Ravel / near Fort de Socoa.
- Access
- Boulevard Thiers; small parking nearby; short walk to the beach.
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels and rental apartments are available in Ciboure and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
- Food & Drink
- Small kiosks nearby; numerous restaurants and bistros along the waterfront in Socoa mentioned.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental shops for SUP and surfing are available in the Socoa harbor 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 Les Flots Bleus?
The best overall months at Les Flots Bleus are November, December, January, February, March, October.
Which wind directions work at Les Flots Bleus?
Les Flots Bleus works with E, NE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, SE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Les Flots Bleus?
Recommended equipment sizes at Les Flots Bleus: Windsurfing: 5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–20 kts.
What skill level is Les Flots Bleus suitable for?
Les Flots Bleus suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.