Located in La Côte Basque, France, Ciboure Socoa is a collection of reef break peaks within a bay that can offer some good waves when conditions are right. The waves here are relatively easy to surf and break for up to 50 meters (164 feet) over a rocky bottom. When it gets big, several spots inside the bay, from the harbor mouth to the town beach, come into play. A soft peak breaks in the shadow of the Socoa Fort, offshore in a westerly wind, while La Bougie offers a rare bodyboarding shore dump. Additionally, Le Port, a hard-to-access localized reef near the river Nivelle entrance, may work a few times a year but breaks close to the rocks with dubious water quality. The surf here is always present, but its consistency can be low, and conditions vary with swell direction and wind.
What are the best surf conditions for Ciboure Socoa?
Ciboure Socoa gets good between waist-high and double overhead. We recommend riding a longboard when the waves are smaller and switching to a shortboard as the size increases. This break is best suited for intermediate and advanced surfers. The surf here is quite inconsistent (2/10) and can get busy and localized when it does work (5/10). The best winds are from the Southwest, and the ideal swells come from the North and Northwest. It works on all tides.
In summer, a spring suit is recommended when water temperatures rise to 21°C (70°F). In winter, a 5/4 wetsuit is best when temperatures drop to 12°C (54°F). See the temperature chart below for more details.
While there’s always a wave regardless of wind direction, the spot can be inconsistent and expensive for parking. Localism and crowded conditions are common, and accessing some areas, like Le Port, can be challenging.
