La Zurriola
San Sebastián's surf beach in the Gros district: consistent, urban and always busy.
La Zurriola is San Sebastián's open-ocean beach and the heart of its surf culture. It's consistent and has peaks all along the beach; at low tide with 1.5 m or more of swell, a classic left can form off the end of the breakwater.
On big days the easiest way out is from the breakwater corner, using its shelter.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | N, NW |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE |
| Tide | All; breakwater left at low tide |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| 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
For normal days, shortboard or fish; longboard or funboard if it's small. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf La Zurriola
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
Locals gather in the right-hand corner and don't like it packed: if you're visiting, surf the middle of the beach, don't drop in and you'll be fine.
Surfing style
From longboarding on small days to punchy beach-break surfing.
Hazards
Current by the breakwater (careful if you're learning) and crowds.
Map
Shapers near La Zurriola
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Orio (Gipuzkoa)
Orio's small Antilla beach by the estuary: gentle waves and shelter from westerly winds.
Zarautz (Gipuzkoa)
Gipuzkoa's big surf beach: almost 3 km of peaks and one of the liveliest surf scenes in the Basque Country.
Zarautz / Getaria (Gipuzkoa)
A reef between Zarautz and Getaria: an excellent right and, on huge swells, a left for kamikazes.
Getaria (Gipuzkoa)
A small, punchy, uncrowded Getaria beach for when Zarautz is packed.
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.