Boasting more than 175 km of beautiful coastline, the Basque country is a great place for surfing! Situated along the Bay of Biscay, with stunning scenery, whether you are a surfer or not it is a magnificent place worth visiting
Top 10 Surf Locations in and around Bilbao
Boasting more than 175 km of beautiful coastline, the Basque country is a great place for surfing! Situated along the Bay of Biscay, with stunning scenery, whether you are a surfer or not it is a magnificent place worth visiting…
In this blog, we will list some of the best surf beaches around Bilbao and also include some details about the beaches and logistics information.
1. Zarautz
Where is it located?
- Zarautz Beach, 20800, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
- 85 km from Bilbao.
- Accessible via car, bus and train.
What’s the surf like?
Zarautz is Spain’s most famous surf town with several competitions taking place annually. Many internationally acclaimed Spanish surfers learnt the ways of surf here. The surf is suitable for intermediates and beginners.
There are many surf schools in Zarautz for those who want to learn or improve their surf.
What’s the beach like?
Zarautz is a wonderful beach that stretches for 2.5 km. It is known as “The queen of beaches” and is a destination for both surfers and beachgoers.
Many say that the surf here is just as good as the beach is beautiful!
2. Zurriola
Where is it located?
- Zurriola beach, Gipuzkoa, Spain.
- 105 km from Bilbao city centre.
- 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive from Bilbao city centre.
What’s the surf like?
Zurriola is one of Spain’s top beaches for surfing. It has waves for all levels from beginner to advanced surfers.
It has consistent medium beach breakers which break both to the right and the left. The quality of surf is better during the winter months.
There are many surf schools on the beach where you can get a lesson or simply rent a board from.
What’s the beach like?
Zurriola is a medium sized sandy beach located right by the city centre of San Sebastian. Unfortunately, the only downfall to this beach is the crowd: in the summer months, it can get very busy on both the sand and in the water.
Beach facilities include toilets, lifeguard and showers.
3. Mundaka
https://www.flickr.com/photos/surfglassy/4003713573
Where is it located?
- Mundaka, 48360, Biscay, Spain
- 40 km from Bilbao city centre
- 35-minute drive from Bilbao city centre.
What’s the surf like?
Mundaka is considered one of the best places in the world for its left-handed barrel wave. It has attracted various world champions such as Kelly Slater during the ASP World Tour competitions (a famous surfing competition).
It also has one of the best river mouth waves around, allowing surfers to catch waves for up to 400 metres.
Generally, Mundaka is only for experienced surfers however, when the waters are calmer, inexperienced surfers can have a go as long as the currents from the river are taken into account.
Only rideable for about 50 days a year.
What’s the beach like?
Mundaka’s old port area is really worth visiting: it has a small sandy beach, fishing boats and many colourful Basque houses.
4. Bakio
Where is it located?
- Bakio, Biscay, Spain.
- 30km from Bilbao.
- 30-minute drive from Bilbao.
What’s the surf like?
Bakio offers a very consistent beach break which is suitable for beginners.
Due to its good standards and reliable surf which is available year round, many surfers travel to Bakio when the surf isn’t good in Mundaka.
Both left and right-hand waves are present here and the surf is available at all tides.
What’s the beach like?
Bakio has a nice promenade that runs along the beach offering great views of the sea.
It is a golden sandy beach great for families. You can enjoy a swim here stress-free as there are lifeguards!
In the summer months, it can get very busy.
5. Barinatxe - La Salvaje
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asarasua/130028133
Where is it located?
- 48600 Larrabasterra, Biscay, Spain
- 25 km from Bilbao airport and 40 km from Bilbao city-centre.
What’s the surf like?
The surf at La Salvaje is for experienced surfers only. There are several different types of wave you can surf here, the most famous being “La Triangular”. La Triangular is a beach-breaker on a rocky seafloor which can produce large waves and is surfable at all tides.
What’s the beach like?
Barinatxe beach, also known as La Salvaje (the wild) contains fine golden sand and has a total length of 750 metres. It is surrounded by stunning cliffs and also hosts a nudist section.
6. Meñakoz
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garaigoikoa/15437209042
Where is it located?
- Playa de Meñakoz Barrika, Kukullu Kalea, 26, 48600 Sopela, Bizkaia, Spain.
- 20km from Bilbao city centre.
- 25 min drive from Bilbao city centre.
What’s the surf like?
This is a highly-dangerous surf location only for experienced surfers. Its waves only start breaking just below two metres and often reach heights of six metres and above.
There are sharp rocks here and strong rips so you need to be extra careful when surfing.
Besides this, if you are a high-level surfer, why wouldn’t you want to surf Europe’s largest waves?
What’s the beach like?
The beach is located in a beautiful area with spectacular cliffs all around. This beach is a wild place and isn’t easily accessible. For this reason, Menakoz remains quiet with not many people around apart from surfers.
No facilities are available on this beach.
7. Sopelana
Where is it located?
- Playa de Sopelana, Biscay, Spain.
- Within easy reach of Bilbao: 18 km.
- 20-minute drive.
What’s the surf like?
Sopelana has very consistent beach break waves that are available year round.
There are many surf schools in the area.
Suitable for beginners and intermediates.
What’s the beach like?
Sopelana is a clean sandy beach which is surrounded by beautiful cliffs.
There is a nice café/bar just by the entrance which is worth a visit.
Public toilets and showers are available on site.
8. Punta Galea
https://www.flickr.com/photos/aherrero/
Where is it located?
- Punta Galea, 48993, Biscay, Spain.
- 17km from Bilbao city centre.
- 20-minute drive from Bilbao city centre.
What’s the surf like?
Punta Galea is a big wave spot for experienced surfers only.
It is home to the Big Wave World Tour event.
The wave at Punta Galea is a right-hand point break at the mouth of the river Nervion.
Fairly consistent surf that dies down in the summer months.
What’s the beach like?
There is a promenade that runs the length of the Getxo coast called the Paseo de la Galea where you can get spectacular views of the big waves at Punta Galea.
It isn’t recommended to swim at this beach due to the dangerous rips and size of the waves.
9. Playa de Laida
https://www.flickr.com/photos/joselubilbo1/18952091081
Where is it located?
- Laida, Biscay, Spain.
- 45 km from Bilbao.
- 40-minute drive from Bilbao.
What’s the surf like?
Playa de Laida offers good surf with left and right breaks at the river.
Make sure you pay careful attention to the dangerous rip.
The surf is at its best here during the summer months.
Suitable for intermediates.
What’s the beach like?
Playa de Laida is a beautiful golden sandy beach which spans a distance of 1km.
This is a very scenic area.
Even though the surf may not be suitable for beginners, the beach is suitable for children. The waters near the shore are very shallow; it is only when you swim further out that the rip appears. For this reason, it is safe to swim in the shallow water.
10. Ogeia
Where is it located?
- Ogella Hondartza, 48288, Biscay, Spain
- 50 km from Bilbao.
- 50 min car drive from Bilbao.
What’s the surf like?
Sheltered reef break with inconsistent waves.
The best time of year to surf here is in winter.
Best to surf at low tide.
What’s the beach like?
Ogeia beach is isolated and located in a pretty little cove.
It is a wild beach which sits at the bottom of a mountain and is composed of both stones and sand.
All in all, with dozens of surf beaches available on the Basque coast, Bilbao is definitely worth a visit. You can experience the beautiful Bay of Biscay which faces the Atlantic, go surfing or just enjoy the nice beaches and have a swim (providing the waters are not too dangerous to swim in!).
Bilbao is up there when it comes to choosing the best surf city around, no doubt about it!
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