Guéthary
Guéthary is where European surfing ventures into serious territory—a powerful reef break tucked beneath the charming Basque village that transforms into a genuine big wave arena when Atlantic storms unleash. The main peak offers heavy, left-breaking walls that can hold well overhead surf, while the outer reefs light up for experienced chargers during the largest swells. The local crew is tight and proud, with decades of history at this wave, so respect in the lineup isn't optional. When the harbor wall is getting swamped and the sets are marching in, Guéthary reminds everyone that European surfing has teeth.
Today's Conditions
Find FlightsLocation & Conditions
Hourly Forecast, Tide & Strike Windows
Tide times today
Strike Score Breakdown
Plan Your Strike
Return flights to BIQ, departing today with a 5-day trip window.
Search Flights on SkyscannerLocation & Conditions
Know when Europe is about to fire
Get the best strike windows in Europe — and worldwide — in your inbox every Monday & Thursday. Live Strike Scores, the swell behind them, zero fluff.
Vous préférez le français ? Recevez le Strike Report en français, gratuitement →
Get the full Guéthary trip window
Pro unlocks the 10-day forecast window, unlimited alerts, and custom spot tracking that help turn a good-looking surf report into a better travel decision.
10-day window
See the trip window before flights get expensive.
Unlimited alerts
Let the app watch your score threshold for you.
Custom spots
Track the breaks that actually matter to your travel plans.
Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (310°)
- Direction range
- 280° - 340°
- Size range
- 1m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.8m
- Height multiplier
- 1.08×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- ESE (120°)
- Offshore range
- 80° - 160°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
6/10
👥 Summer Holidays (Jul 4 – Sep 1) — expect extra crowds
Access: Jump off harbor wall or paddle from beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Guéthary?
Guéthary works best on a low to mid tide, ideally between 0.4m and 1.5m on the local tide chart. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Guéthary?
Offshore wind at Guéthary blows from the ESE (120°). Anything in the 80° to 160° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Guéthary?
Guéthary wants NW swell (280° to 340°) between 1m and 3.5m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Guéthary?
The main season at Guéthary is Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. A secondary window runs Apr, May. Autumn-Spring. Needs solid swell. Handles size well.
How do I get to Guéthary?
Fly into BIQ, then allow about 20 minutes by road. Jump off harbor wall or paddle from beach.
What kind of wave is Guéthary?
Guéthary is a reef break, a left-hander. Difficulty is rated 7/10.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, May
Autumn-Spring. Needs solid swell. Handles size well.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Lafitenia
🇫🇷 Intermediate perfection • Long right walls • Basque Country classic
Belharra
🇫🇷 France's giant • 2.5km offshore • Some winters stays silent
Les Cavaliers
🏖️ Anglet surf strip classic • Sandbar-dependent peaks • French beach culture
La Graviere
🇫🇷 World's heaviest beachbreak • Canyon-amplified power • Pro-level tubes
La Nord
💪 Europe's heaviest beach break • Canyon power • Autumn perfection
Zurriola
🏛️ Europe's most elegant surf • San Sebastián beauty • Urban beach perfection