Plentzia / Gorliz
Plentzia's sheltered bay: the plan B when the rest of Bizkaia is maxed out.
Plentzia and Gorliz share a very sheltered bay. It only gets waves with big ground swells, when the other beaches are too big; then a fun left forms over sand, best at low tide.
The rest of the year it's a quiet family beach, good for first sessions on days with a little swell.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Left |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | NW, N |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SW |
| Tide | Low |
| Size | Needs a big swell (2–3 m outside) |
| Best season | Winter |
| Crowd | Light |
| 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
Funboard, longboard or fish: a gentle wave where good paddling matters most. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Plentzia / Gorliz
The water is around 12 °C in winter and 20 °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 AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
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
Few people and a quiet vibe.
Surfing style
Mellow bay surfing.
Hazards
Water quality can drop after heavy rain.
Map
Shapers near Plentzia / Gorliz
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Sopelana / Barrika (Bizkaia)
Bizkaia's big-wave right, breaking over a rock slab.
Sopela (Bizkaia)
Bilbao's surf beach: Arrietara and Atxabiribil, with peaks for every level.
Getxo / Sopela (Bizkaia)
A punchy beach break between Getxo and Sopela, with La Triangular, a classic rock right.
Bakio (Bizkaia)
A fast, hollow beach break, with a long right by Peña Roja.
All spots in the Basque Country (Spain) →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.