Mundaka
Mundaka is Europe's most celebrated barrel—a left-hand rivermouth sand point in the Basque Country that delivers incredibly long, hollow tubes when conditions align. The wave peels along a sandbar shaped by the Urdaibai estuary, with long rides possible on epic days. The setting is stunning: a medieval Basque fishing village on the hillside, green mountains behind, and cold North Atlantic swells marching in. The wave is notoriously fickle and crowded, but when Mundaka turns on, it rivals any wave on Earth for length and barrel quality. Bring a thick wetsuit.
Mundaka surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (310°)
- Direction range
- 290° - 340°
- Size range
- 1.5m - 3.5m
- Ideal size
- 2.4m - 3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 16s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- S (190°)
- Offshore range
- 150° - 230°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- low to mid
- Optimal range
- 0.2m - 1m
Water temp
14°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
9/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Mundaka?
Mundaka is a point break in Basque Country, Spain, that mostly breaks left. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves. It's also a renowned bodyboarding wave.
What's the story behind Mundaka?
In 2005 the wave temporarily disappeared after dredging at the river mouth changed the sandbar, and that year's pro contest was cancelled. More than 230,000 cubic metres of sand had been dredged from the estuary in 2004 to let a newly built ship out of the Murueta shipyard. Mundaka hosted the Billabong Pro on the world tour from 1999 to 2009.
What swell works best at Mundaka?
Mundaka picks up swell from the WNW round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the NW. It starts working at around 1.5m and handles up to about 3.5m, with the sweet spot around 2.4 to 3m. Period matters too: aim for 16s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Mundaka?
A S wind is dead offshore at Mundaka, and anything from the SSE round to the SW keeps it clean. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Mundaka?
Mundaka is at its best around the low to mid tide, roughly 0.2m to 1m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Mundaka?
The most reliable run of swell at Mundaka comes Oct to Feb. There's a second window in Mar and Sep too. North Atlantic winter storms. Best Oct-Feb.
How cold is the water at Mundaka?
The water at Mundaka averages around 14°C, so you'll want a 4/3mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Mundaka good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 9/10), so mind the pecking order. Strong rivermouth currents. Very crowded when good.
How do I get to Mundaka?
The nearest airport on our list is BIO, then it's roughly a 35-minute drive.
What other surf spots are near Mundaka?
The closest breaks we track are Menakoz (20 km), Sopelana (23 km) and Punta Galea (27 km), handy when Mundaka isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Secondary: Mar, Sep
North Atlantic winter storms. Best Oct-Feb.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Menakoz
💀 Basque heavy water • Big-wave reef • Experts only
Sopelana
🚇 Metro-accessible surf • Bilbao's beach • Urban convenience
Punta Galea
🌊 Europe's big wave coliseum • 50-foot faces • BWC venue
Zarautz
🏘️ Basque surf town • Two-kilometer beach • All-level access
Zurriola
🏛️ Europe's most elegant surf • San Sebastián beauty • Urban beach perfection
Belharra
🇫🇷 France's giant • 2.5km offshore • Some winters stays silent
Plan a trip around Mundaka
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