Marbella
South of Côte des Basques, under the cliff: more power and fewer people.
Marbella continues Côte des Basques to the south, at the foot of the cliff. It has sandbanks with scattered rocks that produce more powerful waves than its neighbour.
You walk down steps, and the access keeps the crowd a little smaller, although it fills up on good days.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 0.8–2.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Medium |
| Localism | Medium |
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 shortboard or fish; a funboard when it's small. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Marbella
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 AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
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
There's a group of regulars and reports mention some localism. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Beach break with rocks.
Hazards
Rocks, currents and falling debris from the cliff.
Map
Shapers near Marbella
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Biarritz
The birthplace of French surfing: soft, long waves, perfect for longboarding.
Bidart / Biarritz
A rock bottom below Ilbarritz castle: it doesn't work often, but when it does it's quiet.
Biarritz
Biarritz's city beach, in front of the casino and the Hôtel du Palais.
Bidart
A Bidart beach at the foot of the cliff, with sand peaks and some rock.
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.