Gipuzkoa · Spain
Surfing Zurriola
A beach break in Gipuzkoa, Spain, for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers.
Zurriola is the surf beach in the middle of San Sebastián, next to the Kursaal and a short walk from the old town's pintxo bars. It's a beach with real energy: it picks up plenty of swell, and on some days it even gets hollow.
The beach works as three zones. The Kursaal end is usually smaller and easier, so that's where people learn. The middle sits in between. Sagüés, at the eastern end, usually has the best waves and the biggest crowd. Like any beach break it depends on the sandbanks, and depending on how they sit it can be better at high or at low tide. Expect it to be crowded.
When to surf
Zurriola
Zurriola is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: NW swell, S wind, tide depends on the banks.
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 Zurriola
La Concha
1 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
Orio
12 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Intermediate
Zarautz
16 kmGipuzkoa · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate / 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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