Les Sables d'Or (Anglet)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
The spot is primarily known for a sandy, urban beach-break setup between the jetties, where paddling channels can make getting out easier. However, strong rip currents (baïnes) are also repeatedly highlighted, and shifting sandbars/groynes can change conditions after storms. With offshore-favorable East/South-East wind, the swell can be groomed for cleaner waves, though wind reliability is noted as low at the spot level.
- Works across all tides
- Left and right-hand beach break off the jetties
- Hollow/fast wave potential with barrel potential on the best days
- Consistent central Anglet sand-bottom break with lefts and rights
- Hollow, fast, fun wave potential on the right day
- Works across all tides
- Direct urban access from the promenade/waterfront parking
- Strong rip currents (baïnes) are common
- Extremely crowded on weekends and during summer peak season
- Wind reliability is described as low at the spot level
- Shifts in sandbanks/sandbars can affect where it’s safe to swim and surf
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- ESE, SE, E
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, SE
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — East and South-East winds are described as offshore/grooming conditions for the surf; regional pattern also indicates strong daytime sea-breeze behavior in warmer months.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug · Dir: NW, NNE, WNW · Regional thermal pattern commonly develops from late morning into afternoon/early evening.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Spot-level descriptors range from working at under 1 m to holding up to about 2.5 m+; some sources describe very large swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy entry area for getting into the water.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Short paddle out is aided by paddling channels/rips around the jetties.
Through the year
Ultra busy at peaks (July and August), high peaks on weekends and summer holidays; moderate in spring/autumn; quieter in winter
Winter months from November to March can see frequent Atlantic storms
By sport
What to expect for each.
Central Anglet sand-bottom beach break with strong channeling/paddling around jetties, firing lefts and rights. Hollow, fast waves are common on better swell days.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, SW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Works across different tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open to swell/wind exposure; jetties define the takeoff/wave shape but the overall site is exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Best with East to South-East conditions that are described as ideal offshore/grooming for the swell; also noted that the spot works better when offshore.
- Bigger Swell
- Can start to close out when swells exceed about 2.5 m.
- Wave Quality
- Good
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow and fast waves with barrel potential on the right day.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peel speed reported as fast on hollow days.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal rides are generally under 50 m; on good days rides commonly range roughly 50–150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length is short (<50 m); good day length is commonly 50–150 m. Typical ride lengths reported in this range.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) in the full forecast view.
Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–18 ktsGusts 28 kts
- Direction
- WSW252°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2518 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.1 m11s period
- Temperature
- 8–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 28 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.8–4.1 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
- Strong rip currents (baïnes)
- High crowds in peak season
- Submerged sandbars that shift
- Jetties and groynes on both sides of the beach
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is described as limited at the spot level, while the wider coast has strong seasonal beach coverage.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number: 112 (general). Also reported emergency numbers include 15 (medical), 17 (police), and 18 (fire).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Designated swimming zones are strictly enforced during summer; keep surfing outside marked flag/blue-flag areas. Swimming restrictions also apply within supervised swimming zones.
- Surfing must take place outside the swimming areas marked by flags/blue flag zones
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing are generally prohibited during the summer season (July–August) during supervised hours
- Check sandbank positions as they change frequently after winter storms
- Early mornings often provide the cleanest offshore conditions before the sea breeze kicks in
- Avoid summer unless you are out at dawn before swimming zones are enforced
- Avoid after significant rainfall due to estuary runoff
- Paddle out using the jetty rips/channels in bigger surf
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Anglet
- Nearest Town
- Anglet
- Nearest Airport
- Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ)
- Parking
- Waterfront/public parking is available and faces the break directly; fills up quickly in summer.
- Public Transport
- Well-connected by regional bus network and a coastal train line
- Access
- Instant access (< 5min) from waterfront parking that faces the break directly
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, apartments, and a youth hostel are located within walking distance.
- Food & Drink
- Cafes, bars, and restaurants are located directly on the promenade overlooking the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and wetsuits are available for rent at several shops along the beachfront.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in the Anglet/Biarritz area offer board repair services.
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 Sables d'Or (Anglet)?
The best overall months at Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) are September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Les Sables d'Or (Anglet)?
Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) works with ESE, SE, E winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, SE.
What skill level is Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) suitable for?
Les Sables d'Or (Anglet) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.