Basque Country: the “top 5” beaches for swimming this summer!
Fancy a swim in the sea or a sporting session in the waves? Less than 30 km from Le Biper Gorri campsite in Espelette, we’ll take you to the most beautiful beaches in the Basque Country, from Biarritz to Hendaye, via the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Corniche Basque.
La Grande Plage Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Located right in the center of town, Saint-Jean-de-Luz ‘s large beach is THE family beach par excellence. This pretty sandy beach is protected from the waves by dykes, so you and your children can swim in complete safety. And to make matters worse, it is regularly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the Basque Country. There are clubs for children and large diving boards for teenagers. For the more sporty, the wide beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is an ideal playground: jet-skiing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle, flyboarding, diving and parasailing are all on the program.
– Distance from Espelette: 25 km (approx. 35 minutes from the campsite)
Socoa beach in Ciboure
Across the bay from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Ciboure’s Socoa beach is one of the most popular sandy spots on the Basque coast. Here, too, the waves are broken by the large dikes that protect the bay. Whether you like to take a dip in the ocean, build sandcastles or combine exercise with idleness, Socoa beach never ceases to appeal to families. His secret? A gently sloping bathing area that’s safe for children, a Handiplage label and a lovely view of the Socoa fort and Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay. As for surfing enthusiasts, there’s plenty to choose from: sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, flyfish, towed buoys…
– Distance from Espelette: 26 km (about 35 minutes from the campsite)
Anglet beach
It’s been said that there’s an air of “Little California” here. We’re in Anglet, a charming seaside resort set between Biarritz and Bayonne, where no fewer than eleven beaches are available for the enjoyment of sports enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The campsite’s favorite? The Petite Chambre d’Amour beach nestles at the foot of the Cap Saint-Martin cliffs. As is often the case on the Basque coast, the waves can be dangerous. So, if there’s no green flag on the horizon, take great care when swimming and choose a supervised beach.
– Distance from Espelette: 25 km (approx. 35 minutes from the campsite)
The Côte des Basques beach, Biarritz
Biarritz has many family beaches (Grande plage, Plage du Port Vieux, La Milady, etc.). That’s why we’ve chosen to introduce you to a legendary beach in the Basque Country. This is the beach on the Côte des Basques, the cradle of surfing in Europe, world-famous for its tubular waves. The first to squat on the beach were American surfers. It was September 1956. Today, it hosts the world’s biggest surfing competitions. This doesn’t prevent families from swimming in complete safety, as the beach is supervised in season. So don’t forget your swimsuit and surfboard if you’re staying at a campsite in Espelette!
– Distance from Espelette: 25 km (approx. 35 minutes from the campsite)
La Grande plage d’Hendaye
Hendaye takes the prize for the longest sandy beach on the Basque coast! This long ribbon of white and blue stretches for more than three kilometers, with Spain directly opposite. It’s the perfect place to sunbathe, relax and swim. Admittedly, it’s a little further from Espelette (45 minutes by car), but it’s well worth the detour. On arrival, we appreciate the expanse of the beach, which means we’re not all on top of each other. When it comes to water sports, the choice is vast and the waves are sure to please surfers. As a bonus, there’s a lovely view of the famous rocks known as the Twins!
– Distance from Espelette: 40 km (about 45 minutes from the campsite)