Marinella
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Chop, Small waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Marinella is a jetty-flanked sand beach break on the Anglet stretch of the Basque coast. Surf is described as punchy and fast, with fast a-frame peaks and peeling wave shapes; the waves typically start working from under 1m and can hold up to around 2m+, with mid-tide often preferred. Wave quality is repeatedly rated as good, and ride length is generally short—commonly under 50m normally, and around 50–150m on better days.
- Jetty-flanked beach break with fast a-frame, peeling waves
- Mid-tide preferred for surfing
- East winds are reported as offshore for surfing grooming
- NW winds and summer months (June–October) are cited for wind sport opportunities
- Iconic Atlantic beach-break surfing with fast, punchy waves.
- Works through most tide phases, with mid-tide often preferred.
- Offshore east winds can groom the waves for surfing.
- Summer months (June–October) are repeatedly cited for wind availability (kiting) and good conditions.
- Strong rip currents (baïnes) are frequent and powerful.
- Significant shorebreak/turbulence near groynes and wave breakers.
- Can be very crowded, especially on weekends and during summer.
- Kitesurfing is restricted by summer zoning rules and swim-zone bans.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, W, SW
- Offshore directions
- ESE, E, ENE, NE
- Wind Range
- 12–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Frontal-system winds with northwesterly sea breezes reported; thermal sea breezes in summer are often light.
- Reliability
- Most reliable during frontal systems; summer thermals can provide lighter riding days.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Light gust factor reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Spot-level wave size reported as small for general conditions; surf swell window reported as 0.5–2.5m.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Chop is reported for wind sports, with shorebreak/turbulence noted near structures.
- Launch
- Medium — Long beach with easy access is reported; launch space can become limited/narrow at high tide due to sea wall.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; quieter during shoulder seasons.
Rain is frequent from November to March (with storminess also noted in autumn/winter).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing is reported as limited/less primary versus surfing. Best wind direction is NW and summer months (June–October) are commonly cited. Spot is affected by chop/shorebreak and strong currents, and launch space can be limited at high tide.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Possible when conditions align, but reported as less popular than some nearby alternatives for beginners/experts.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.7–5.7 m²
Launching is described as difficult due to shorebreak and surfers; once past the break, the Atlantic swell can provide riding.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil friendliness is reported as limited.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Jetty-flanked beach break with fast a-frame peaks; works through most tide phases with mid-tide often preferred. Waves start around under 1m and can hold up to around 2m+.
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is typically preferred.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Jetty-flanking provides some protection; one report describes semi-sheltered conditions, while another describes exposed conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Easterly winds (E/SE/NE) are offshore and can groom the waves for surfing.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold up to around 2m+; one report notes it may close out when swell exceeds about 2.5m.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Wave power reported as moderate.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Peeling wave shape reported.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Peel speed reported as fast.
- Ride Length
- Short — Short, punchy rides; typically 50–150m on a good day, and usually under 50m normal.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Short (<50m) normal; 50–150m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Marinella in the full forecast view.
Marinella wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–17 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- W259°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2517 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–4.3 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Marinella is forecast for daytime winds of 2–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is W. Waves run 0.8–4.3 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
- Swimmers
- Rip currents (baïnes)
- Currents
- Wave breaker
- Rock groynes
- Wave breakers (piers)
- Heavy shorebreak
- Crowds
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited at the spot-level.
- Emergency Info
- Lifeguard stations are active during the summer season; emergency services can be reached via 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is reported as a hazard and moderate localism is reported.
Rules of the spot
Strict zoning applies during summer months (July–August); kitesurfing restrictions in swim zones and during lifeguard hours are reported.
- No kitesurfing in swim zones.
- Summer bans/restrictions usually apply between 11:00 and 19:00.
- Surfing restricted in designated swim areas.
- Check tide before heading out; the beach can disappear against the wall at high tide.
- Be wary of strong currents near the jetties/groyne areas.
- Respect local surfers; peak conditions can be very crowded.
- Follow any summer zoning and swim-area rules.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Anglet
- Nearest Town
- Biarritz (north of)
- Parking
- Check parking at Marinella; a specific public parking area is reported to fill up quickly in summer.
- Access
- Follow Anglet 'Chambre d'Amour', then take the road along the ocean toward 'La Barre'; Marinella is the first beach after 'Les Sables d'Or'.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Numerous hotels, rentals, and campsites are available in the Anglet and Biarritz area.
- Food & Drink
- Food and drink are reported on/near the promenade, including beach bars and restaurants.
- Equipment Rental:
- Surfboards and wetsuits are reported available for rent at shops along the promenade; equipment rental is also reported as widely available along the coast.
- Gear Repair
- Local surf shops in Anglet offer board repairs (gear repair available reported).
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 Marinella?
The best overall months at Marinella are September, October. The best wind months are June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Marinella?
Marinella works with N, NW, W, SW winds. Offshore directions are ESE, E, ENE, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Marinella?
Recommended equipment sizes at Marinella: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.7–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–20 kts.
What skill level is Marinella suitable for?
Marinella suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Beginner.