Biarritz - Cote des Basques Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next block of days. We’ve got a long stretch ahead, and honestly, it’s a bit of a slow burner. The first ten days or so are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle, with a lot of onshore wind and weak, messy energy. There’s a gap of about ten days of nothing really worth rushing out for, so don’t be in a hurry. The real action, if it holds, is tucked away right at the end of the window.

Starting off with the early outlook, it’s a tough watch. The first weekend is a write-off – tiny swell and onshore winds. The following week is more of the same, with those small NW pulses getting hammered by a westerly flow. The water is a real standout though – it’s currently sitting at 76°F and is a whopping 5°F warmer than it should be for this time of year. That’s very unusual, almost like a summer holdover. You’ll feel that difference for sure.

We finally get a flicker of hope on the morning of Thursday, 13 August. A very small 1ft swell from the WNW (period 9s) with glassy conditions. The combined energy is barely there at 42, so it’s just a tiny, clean ankle-slapper. Better than nothing if you’re desperate to wet the line, but it’s not going to be a session to remember.

The good news is things start to look more interesting around the 19th of August. The morning of Wednesday, 19 August, is a real standout. The swell is a clean 4ft from the NW with a period of 8s, and the wind is a perfect glassy NE. The energy is starting to build at 201, and it’s the only window with “expect good surf conditions” in the whole run. That’s your best bet for a clean, fun session at Biarritz - Cote des Basques, but be warned – with the crowds being “often,” you won’t be alone for that one.

However, the absolute standout of the entire forecast, if you can wait, is the morning of Thursday, 20 August. That’s the one to circle. We’ve got a solid 5ft NW swell wrapping in, with a period of 9s, and a clean offshore breeze from the east. The energy is strong at 399. That’s a proper, punchy wave with good shape, and the offshore wind is going to keep it clean. That’s the best conditions on offer. It’s a bit of a wait, but it could be worth it. The afternoon gets choppy, so get on it early.

After that, it fades out quickly. The 21st has cleaner but smaller surf, and by the 22nd it’s back to tiny, weak junk. The final day of the 23rd shows a little pulse of energy (205) but it’s on a cross-onshore wind, so it’s not going to be pretty.

So, to sum it up: the first ten days are a write-off. Your two best shots are the morning of the 19th for a clean, smaller wave, and the morning of the 20th for the best combination of size and wind. That 20th is the one to get excited about, but it’s a long-range call, so keep your fingers crossed.

Stay stoked, but patient.
Rusty.

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