Surf trips compared
France vs Spain for surfing
Waves, seasons, crowds and costs side by side, from the 64 surf spots we cover in the two.
France and Spain share the Bay of Biscay, and Hendaye and Zarautz are less than an hour apart by car, so plenty of people surf both on one trip. France has the long straight beaches of the Landes and Gironde and more consistent beach-break barrels. Spain has more variety: river-mouth lefts like Mundaka, quiet coves in Asturias and Galicia, and the Canaries for winter sun. Spain is also a little cheaper day to day.
Plan and price both tripsSide by side
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Surf spots we cover | 29 | 35 |
| Areas | 8 | 10 |
| Beginner-friendly spots | 9 | 7 |
| Wave types | beach 88%, reef 12% | beach 62%, reef 38% |
| Best season | Sep-Apr | Sep-Apr |
| Average crowd | moderate (2.8/5) | quiet (2.2/5) |
| Flight from Europe | 2h | 2h |
| Daily budget (tight / comfortable) | $25 / $60 | $20 / $55 |
| A week from, with flights | $327 | $282 |
Crowd is the average of our 1 to 5 rating across all spots. Week from: seven nights on a tight budget in the cheapest area, with flights from Europe.
Month by month
| Month | France | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| February | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| March | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| April | Prime (Finistère (Brittany)) | Prime (Galicia) |
| May | Good (Landes (Hossegor)) | Good (Basque Country) |
| June | Good (Landes (Hossegor)) | Good (Basque Country) |
| July | Quiet (Landes (Hossegor)) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| August | Quiet (Landes (Hossegor)) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| September | Prime (Finistère (Brittany)) | Prime (Galicia) |
| October | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| November | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| December | Prime (Landes (Hossegor)) | Prime (Basque Country) |
Guides
France vs Spain: common questions
Is France or Spain better for beginners?
France has more beginner-friendly spots: we list 9, against 7 in Spain.
Is France or Spain cheaper for a surf trip?
Day to day, Spain is cheaper: from about $20 a day on a tight budget, against $25 in France. A cheap week with flights from Europe starts around $327 for France and $282 for Spain.
When is the best time to go to France and Spain?
In France, at least one region is at its best in these months: September to April. In Spain: September to April. Both are in good shape in these months: September to June.
More comparisons
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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