Tarnos
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tarnos is an exposed Atlantic beach-break/jetty-style surf spot with sandy bottom conditions. The surf is described as powerful and often hollow, producing steep A-frame peaks and fast lefts and rights when swell and wind align. The wave system is reported to start working from roughly 1.0–1.5 m, with the spot capable of holding significantly larger conditions up to around 3 m+ (and potentially more on bigger days). Typical ride lengths are commonly given as 50 to 150 m, and the overall wave character is frequently described as a regional classic. Conditions are strongly influenced by wind direction: the best offshore/grooming directions are reported as South through Northeast (including East and SouthEast), with one source emphasizing that E–SE winds improve wave face quality. Tide is generally favored at low to mid tide (with additional notes that it can also work on rising/falling tides), making planning around tidal state important. Safety is a key consideration. Hazards reported for this spot include rip currents/undertow, submerged obstacles and buoys, and additional risks associated with the nearby Adour river mouth—particularly pollution or debris after heavy rain. The area can also be crowded on weekends and during good swell periods, and summer surfing is restricted in designated swimming zones during July and August.
- Hollow, powerful Atlantic beach-break
- Fast A-frame peaks and barrel potential when swell and wind align
- Works from around 1.0–1.5 m and can hold 3 m+
- Hollow, powerful, fast beach-break waves
- Works from around 1.0–1.5 m swell and can hold up to 3 m+
- Known for producing quality barrels when swell and wind align
- Water quality can be an issue near the Adour mouth after heavy rain
- Strong rip currents and undertow are reported
- Can get crowded on working days/weekends
- Moderate localism and submerged hazards reported
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NNE, S, ESE
- Offshore directions
- S, SSE, E, NNE, ESE, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Provider data indicates a 'trade' wind type; thermal/sea-breeze behavior is also mentioned for summer afternoons.
- Reliability
- 6/10 (pretty consistent)
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April
- Shadow Zones
- The jetty provides some shelter from North winds at the southern end.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Reported as small-to-medium overall; surfing window typically starts near 1.0–1.5 m and can reach 3 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Long sandy beach with two main access areas: Plage de la Digue and Plage du Métro; instant access from car parks.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Sources conflict slightly: one reports easy access from the beach; another describes launch difficulty as moderate due to conditions/currents.
Through the year
Summer can be crowded (especially at Plage de la Digue); winter is reported to be quieter but can be more challenging.
Winter months (November to March) see more frequent Atlantic storms and rain; rainy periods increase pollution risk near the Adour mouth.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach/jetty break with steep, fast A-frame peaks. Produces hollow, sometimes barrel-forming beach breaks when swell and wind align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NW, W, SW, WNW
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Also described as working across low/mid tide and during rising/falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Generally exposed; Plage de la Digue is described as slightly more sheltered. Wind/swell alignment drives quality.
- Wind Effect
- Best with east/southeast offshore winds; ESE winds groom the wave faces.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up to around 3 m+ (10 ft+). On extremely large Atlantic swells it may start to close out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Regional classic wave character reported as hollow, powerful, and fun.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Short — Commonly reported as normal-length rides around 50–150 m; one source also describes rides around ~100 m depending on sandbars.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal length commonly stated as 50 to 150 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tarnos in the full forecast view.
Tarnos wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–16 ktsGusts 27 kts
- Direction
- WNW282°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2516 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–3.5 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tarnos is forecast for daytime winds of 2–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 27 kts. The prevailing direction is WNW. Waves run 0.8–3.5 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 obstacles
- Buoys
- Rip currents
- Undertow
- Crowds
- Localism
- Pollution (especially after heavy rain near the Adour river mouth)
- Jetty rocks
- Heavy shore break at high tide
- River pollution/discharge near the estuary
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard stations are reported for the summer period.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services are available seasonally through lifeguard stations.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Respect the priority of local surfers and the designated swimming zones during summer months.
- Surfing is restricted in designated swimming zones during July and August.
- Check water quality status if there has been heavy rain, as the Adour river mouth can discharge debris and pollutants.
- Timing sessions after rainfall can help avoid pollution impacts.
- Walk north or south from the main car-park cluster for quieter lines.
- Be cautious: the break can be challenging for beginners due to steep takeoffs/fast waves.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Tarnos
- Nearest Town
- Tarnos
- Parking
- Free large car parks at the main access areas.
- Access
- Drive to the Metro beach or to the digue through the industrial area; instant access (<5 min) from car park; free parking available; walk north or south from main car-park cluster.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping sites and hotels are available in Tarnos and nearby Anglet or Ondres.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars and restaurants near main parking areas.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental equipment is primarily available through the local surf club; general rentals are also reported in the wider area.
- Gear Storage
- No dedicated public gear-storage facilities reported.
- Gear Repair
- Yes
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tarnos?
The best overall months at Tarnos are September, October, November. The best wind months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April.
Which wind directions work at Tarnos?
Tarnos works with E, NNE, S, ESE winds. Offshore directions are S, SSE, E, NNE, ESE, NE.
What skill level is Tarnos suitable for?
Tarnos suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.