Belharra is France's premier big wave—a deepwater reef 2.5 kilometers offshore from Saint-Jean-de-Luz that only wakes up during the most massive North Atlantic storms. The wave requires tow-in assistance and breaks maybe a handful of days per winter; some years it doesn't break at all. When it does, Belharra produces giant, powerful A-frames in the 40-60 foot range. The Basque Country setting and the rarity of rideable swells make a Belharra session a career highlight for Europe's big wave elite.
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
10/10
Crowd level
2/10
Access: Tow-in/jet ski required. 2.5km offshore.
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Handful of days per year. Some winters doesn't break at all.
Verified by Corrected based on geographic reality
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions