Hendaye
A long, sheltered bay on the border: small, soft waves for learning.
Hendaye beach fills a wide bay next to the Spanish border, sheltered from the swell. It works best when Hossegor or Biarritz are very big, and then offers smaller, cleaner waves.
It's one of the best beaches in the area for learning: it's long and there's room for everyone, although the shore break can be surprisingly strong.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | NW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, E |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year; best when it's big elsewhere |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A longboard, minimalibu or funboard. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Hendaye
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 21 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A calm, family vibe; it fills up when the rest of the coast is too big.
Surfing style
Soft waves for learning.
Hazards
Strong shore break and rip currents.
Map
Shapers near Hendaye
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Urrugne / Saint-Jean-de-Luz
One of the world's most famous big waves: a reef 2 km offshore that only wakes up with giant swell.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A long, perfect right, one of Europe's classics.
Guéthary
A hidden reef bay between Guéthary and Lafitenia, best in small, clean swell.
Guéthary
A big-wave left next to Guéthary, even more radical than Parlementia.
All spots in the French Basque Country →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.