France's last beach before Spain: 3 km of gently sloping sand in the corner of the Basque coast, sheltered by the Txingudi bay and the headlands either side. The waves are soft, slow and forgiving — among the gentlest on the Basque coast — which makes it one of the best places in France to learn and a lovely longboard wave. Works all year, best with southerly winds.
🌡️ ~19.7°C now · a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Beginner: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
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New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Hendaye. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Hendaye's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 11 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 14° | 13° | 13° | 14° | 17° | 21° | 22° | 23° | 22° | 20° | 17° | 15° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 6.7 ft (2.0 m), with offshore winds around 13 km/h from the S. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 6.3 ft (1.9 m), with offshore winds around 11 km/h from the S. Water is ~13°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.7 ft (1.7 m), with offshore winds around 12 km/h from the S. Water is ~13°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.3 m), with cross-offshore winds around 11 km/h from the SW. Water is ~14°C: a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.7 ft (1.1 m), with cross-onshore winds around 10 km/h from the W. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.0 ft (0.9 m), with cross-onshore winds around 8 km/h from the NW. Water is ~21°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 3.5 ft (1.1 m), with cross-onshore winds around 8 km/h from the NW. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.0 ft (1.2 m), with cross-onshore winds around 8 km/h from the W. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.5 ft (1.4 m), with offshore winds around 9 km/h from the SW. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 5.0 ft (1.5 m), with offshore winds around 11 km/h from the S. Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 5.9 ft (1.8 m), with offshore winds around 13 km/h from the S. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 7.1 ft (2.2 m), with offshore winds around 12 km/h from the S. Water is ~15°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
For beginners: Apr–Oct. For intermediates: Sep–Mar. The biggest waves come in December, averaging 7.1 ft (2.2 m), and the smallest in June, at 3.0 ft (0.9 m).
It ranges from ~13°C in February to ~23°C in August, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In February (~13°C): a 4/3mm full suit, boots recommended. In August (~23°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Yes. The best months for beginners are Apr–Oct, when waves average around 4.0 ft (1.2 m).
The nearest airport is BIQ, and the nearest town is Hendaye, France.
