Gipuzkoa · Spain
Surfing Orio
A beach break in Gipuzkoa, Spain, for intermediate surfers.
Orio's surf breaks at Antilla beach, at the mouth of the Oria river, next to the long jetty that guides the river out to sea.
The river and the jetty shape the sandbanks, so the lefts and rights change after each winter's storms. Autumn is usually the best season. A south wind is offshore, and the jetty gives a bit of shelter from the west. It can get busy, and the river water isn't always clean.
The current from the river can be strong, especially on the outgoing tide. Orio is a small town known for its grilled sea bream, and Zarautz is a few minutes west.
When to surf
Orio
Orio is at its best from September to March. Conditions it likes: NW swell, S wind.
October to March: Prime
Consistent, powerful NW-W swell, cold but firing
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches and high season prices
The year across Basque Country
Waves near Orio
Zarautz
4 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Gaztetape
7 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Intermediate
Orrua
9 kmGipuzkoa · Right Reef · Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Zarautz has the long beach, the biggest choice of surf schools and plenty of apartments and campsites. San Sebastián has the city, the food and Zurriola's beach breaks, but rooms are expensive, especially in summer. Orio and Getaria, between the two, are smaller and cheaper.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Gipuzkoa guide.
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