Spot guide · Pays Basque
Surfing Anglet: guide to the 11 Basque beaches
11 beaches, 11 vibes. The Basque Country's favourite training ground.
Live forecast
See the 7-day forecast for VVF
The Basque Country's training ground
Anglet lines up 4 km of beaches between the mouth of the Adour and Biarritz, split into 11 named sections (north to south: La Barre, Les Cavaliers, Les Dunes, VVF, Marinella, Madrague, Océan, Sables d'Or, Petite Madrague, Corsaires, Club). That variety means there's almost always a bank firing somewhere.
This is THE learning and progression spot of the southwest. The schools put 50,000 people through here every year. It's also a playground for experienced surfers when the big swells roll in, especially at Cavaliers and VVF.
Which bank for which day
— Small days (≤ 1 m), light wind: Marinella, Sables d'Or, Océan. Mellow banks, beginner-friendly.
— Mid days (1 to 1.5 m), E wind: VVF (the most consistent), Madrague. Short tubes and clean shoulders.
— Big days (≥ 1.8 m): Les Cavaliers (a properly hollow bank), Les Dunes (wild and raw). For experienced surfers.
— S onshore wind: bail south (Petite Madrague, Corsaires) where the cliffs offer a bit of shelter.
Daily life in season
Anglet in July-August is a packed crowd. To get some peace, go for dawn patrols (sunrise → 9am, glassy water and an empty beach) or the late-afternoon sessions after 7pm when the tourists are at dinner.
Parking: paid in season (1 to 2€/hr), free elsewhere. The VVF car park is the handiest but fills up fast. The northern car parks (Cavaliers, Dunes) are less jammed.
Schools and rentals
Anglet's flagship schools: ESCA (École de surf de la Côte des Aigles, at Cavaliers), Anglet Surf School (VVF), Hastéa (Marinella). All offer private lessons, week-long camps and gear rental.
For going it alone with a rental: Quiksilver Boardriders near Marinella, Rip Curl in Biarritz, 10 min away by car. 4/3 wetsuits year-round, 3/2 in summer (June to September).
Frequently asked questions
What's the best beach in Anglet for beginners?+
Marinella and Sables d'Or are the mellowest, with forgiving banks and loads of schools. Steer clear of Les Cavaliers and VVF on the days it's pumping — faster bank, stronger current.
Anglet or Biarritz for surfing?+
Anglet for the sheer number of banks and all-levels surf. Biarritz for waves with more character (the Grande Plage gets tubular on the good days, Côte des Basques is all school and longboard). The two complement each other, just 10 min apart by car.
Is there free parking in Anglet?+
Off-season (October to May): yes, everywhere. In season (June to September): paid in the beach car parks, free on the streets a 10-min walk away. A bike is the best move: cycle paths run along every beach.
When's the best time to surf Anglet without the crowd?+
May-June and September-October: water still pleasant (18-20°C), consistent swells, no crowd. In high season, hit the dawn patrols 6:30-9am or the 7-9pm sessions.
Does Anglet work in winter?+
Yes, but often big: Les Cavaliers and VVF turn into a playground for experienced surfers (1.5 to 3 m, water at 12-13°C). A 5/4 mm wetsuit with booties and gloves. The smaller days stay surfable at Marinella and Madrague.