Guéthary & Hendaye · France
Surfing Sainte-Barbe
A reef in Guéthary & Hendaye, France, for advanced and pro surfers.
- TypeReef
- LevelAdvanced / Pro
- Size3-10 ft
- Best monthsOct-Mar
- Crowd2/5
The wave
A fast, powerful wave at the north end of Guéthary's bay, offering a different character from the reef break at Avalanche just around the point. Sainte-Barbe catches swell well and can hold decent size with a punchy, quick-breaking wall.
It works as a useful alternative when Avalanche is either too small to break or already crowded with the area's committed local surfers. Keep it for a clean SW-NW swell, and treat it with the same respect given to any serious Basque reef wave.
43.425, -1.605 · Clean SW-NW swell · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Sainte-Barbe
Sainte-Barbe is at its best from October to March. Conditions it likes: Clean SW-NW swell. This is how the year looks across Côte Basque:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| October to March | Prime | Big, powerful swell, mild Basque winter |
| April to June | Good | Reliable swell, festival season starts in October |
| July to August | Quiet | Smaller swell, packed beaches, festival crowds |
In season: January · February · March · October · November · December
Waves near Sainte-Barbe
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | Guéthary & Hendaye | Reef | Pro | under 1 km |
| Lafitenia | Guéthary & Hendaye | Right Point | Intermediate / Advanced | 2 km |
| Alcyons | Biarritz & Anglet | Reef | Advanced / Pro | 6 km |
| Côte des Basques | Biarritz & Anglet | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 7 km |
| La Grande Plage | Biarritz & Anglet | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 7 km |
| Anglet Jetties | Biarritz & Anglet | Beach Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 11 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Guéthary & Hendaye
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Guéthary & Hendaye surf guide →
A week here costs from about $390 with flights from Europe, or around $1,032 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $500 →
Sainte-Barbe: common questions
When is the best time to surf Sainte-Barbe?
Sainte-Barbe works best from October to March. Ideal conditions: Clean SW-NW swell.
Is Sainte-Barbe good for beginners?
No. Sainte-Barbe is a wave for advanced and pro surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Côte des Basques in Biarritz & Anglet, about 7 km away.
How crowded is Sainte-Barbe?
Sainte-Barbe is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Sainte-Barbe?
Sainte-Barbe is in Guéthary & Hendaye, in the Côte Basque region of France (43.425, -1.605). The nearest wave we cover is Avalanche, under 1 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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