Thinking of surfing in San Sebastian and the Basque country? We'll tell you the best time of the year to come, where and why.
One guarantee is you'll get waves whatever time of the year you come! The Basque coastline feels the full front of the Atlantic, with it's deep trench not far off the shore it picks up a lot of swell and makes it one of the most consistent places for surf.
There's a huge variety of waves to suit whatever surfer you maybe, from the pumping beachies of South West France to long pointbreaks and slabby reefs.
Lets take a deep dive into the real deal of surfing in this vibrant coastal region.
SPRING SWEETNESS
As the Basque countryside bursts into bloom, so do the surf possibilities. No frills, just consistent swells and relatively quiet beaches with a relaxed local crew. The water's still cold, as in a 13 degrees chill so the 4'3 wetsuit is on and there's that core crowd who don't mind the odd ice cream head. It's the season for the surfer who appreciates a quiet line up, chunky swells, cosy bars and a step into cider season with a post-surf sidreria.
SUMMER HAZE
Warm water, head high pealers, glassy mornings, hot, silky sunsets, surfing in boardies, surf schools and more surf schools. It's Summer and everyone's in the sea and it's blinking delightful. There's still swell but if you really want to get good waves this is the time to escape the hot mess of the city's and towns and head out to the countryside. Up to the lesser known beachies of South West France or West into craggy coast of Spain. There's plenty of spaces and places off the Euro surf hotline where you can get a quiet surf with easy vibes, nice peaks and pealers.
It's the smallest time of the year which makes it perfect for beginners, kids and it's a longboarding heaven.
Hazy days, festivals, beach chiringitos, alfresco everything, Summer is always a good plan in the Basque Country.
AUTUMN MAGIC
Hands down Autumn for us is the golden ticket. September comes and the general scene quietens down, kids go back to school, the world seems more relaxed and those ground swells start to appear on the long range.
In recent years Autumn has felt more like Summer; hot, dry and the water stays warm enough for boardies rolling into October. All those memories of surfing the good spots start to come back as the coast lights up and surfing becomes exciting once more. There's a mellow mood in the line ups as the forecast says offshore and waves for days.
There really is no where else we'd rather be surfing from September through to November in the Basque Country.
WINTER WONDER LAND
I mean is Winter really that cold in the Basque Country anymore?
Recently there's been no wetsuits hoods and only a few ice cream heads. More importantly empty beaches and quiet line ups with consistent swells. Winter surfing is not for the faint hearted, the swells are bigger, the currents are stronger and there's a chill but there's a rawness about surfing in winter with a camaraderie that goes with it. Post festivities the waves can get huge and the wind can howl onshore but there's always the in-between slices of dream, wintery scenes.
And you know if it doesn't all work out you can hotfoot it to the Pyrenees for some snow & vin chaud.
We have a fantastic team of surf guides and instructors, please see the full lowdown on all our surf experiences here
With ten days of freezing cold conditions and a week long run of snow. It didn’t quite reach the sandy shores of San Sebastian but you only had to take a step outside the city and head up into the Basque Country hills and the Winter Wonderland was yours for the taking.
We decided to take the camera with us for our adventure up Bianditz, about 20 minutes drive from San Sebastian. We met some skiers along the way, sucked in view after view and Borja our main guide didn’t let us down as he braved the icy river for a brain freeze swim post hike.
At Experience San Sebastian we offer a huge range of bespoke hiking tours so just drop us a mail https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/ and tell us what you like and your level and we’ll tailor make the perfect adventure for you.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details on our sightseeing, explore tours or any of our other activities please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
So the San Sebastian Summer of 2020 wasn’t quite what we expected. After the main lockdown finished we were relieved to see you still wanted to travel and come to San Sebastian but understandably a lot less than previous seasons which meant we had a lot more time on our hands.
It was great to spend it with friends and family and it gave us the perfect opportunity to go and explore and re-wild ourselves in the Basque Country once again.
We went on some crazy hiking missions, paddle boarded down rivers where no paddleboarder has ever been before, joined forces for extraordinary cycling tours, did far too many early bird surfing escapes and explored the depths of the back country where we found exciting new local experiences and real, traditional Basque food at its absolute best.
Here’s a glimpse of what we did. I think there will be some new San Sebastian Day tours on the horizon for 2021.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details on our hiking, stand up paddle boarding or any of our other activities please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
Reaching the top of Aneto at 3404m the highest peak in the Pyrenees.
There were some shallow parts on this new SUP adventure
With mountain bikes and 85km under our belts we rode some crazy single tracks.
The line up at Guethary never tasted so sweet with good swell, light winds and a mellow crowd.
Lumbier Canyon for an incredible hike, icy swim and vulture spotting.
Aralar area was full of surprises but this waterfall was our top spot.
Sunrise and Sunset and pretty amazing times to be out on the water in San Sebastian and you know it. After you guys requested it time and time again we are so pleased to have added those options to our tours.
So if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary?
For the early risers amongst you the Sunrise SUP trip is a very special time to be out in the bay, with perfect glassy conditions and nobody around, its an incredible way to start the day.
For those Sunset moments sailing in La Concha and out past the bay is the only place to be as the wind lightens and the sky turns red.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details on our SUNRISE SUP tours and SUNSET SAILING trips or any of our other activities please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
Sunrise SUP in the harbour we go.
The sun comes up and it’s just us on the island.
The best seat in the house.
That special time of the day.
Sit back relax and just take it all in.
It was an absolute pleasure to host local lady Leire’s 30th Birthday who surprised all her friends with a trip down the river on our “Rolling River Escape” tour.
The BIG SUP seemed the only way to go along with 2 regular stand up paddles. We had the river to ourselves with conditions as calm as calm can be.
With a picnic stop off on the river bank we spotted wild horses and cheered to local cider and txakoli before heading down stream to throw the birthday girl in the sea.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details on our SUP tours or any of our other activities please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
River bank stop of to cheers the birthday girl
The girls switched from BIG SUP to the small ones
Cruising down stream with not a soul in sight
We hardly had to paddle as the current took us with it
Sunrise, stand up paddle board, marriage proposal, what could possibly go wrong?
Well absolutely nothing of course. This lovely couple went for the Sunrise SUP tour in beautiful La Concha bay and little did she know what his cunning secret plan was. It was a perfect morning, cloudless sky, flat calm, no wind and not a soul around.
Off we set heading straight for Santa Clara island, we made it ashore and they climbed to the top where the deed was done and it was a great big YES!! We greeted the very happy couple with some bubbles and the best breakfast.
It was an honour to be part of such a special moment. The second proposal for Experience San Sebastian. Please check out The City From The Sea stand up paddle tour for all the details.
If you have a unique idea, let us know and we will try our hardest to make it happen.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
Arriving at Santa Clara Island
The sunrise over San Sebastian old part
Sometimes it just all comes together!
We headed East to France on our latest surfing tour, there was a light offshore breeze, perfect small waves and then the storm hit out back and then this rainbow happened. Be sure to have a memorable time what ever adventure you come on with us!
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
Waiting for the set with a good view
Our latest bespoke tour was three days we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
We kicked off with a pintxo tour of the old part, all our favourites on the menu and definitely off the beaten path from the usual hot spots, topped off with goblets of gin and tonic and a cheesecake surprise.
The next day we had a mellow start by hopping aboard the incredible Lucretia, a beautiful ninety seven year old, sixty foot, wooden hull yacht. There was a light breeze making the perfect conditions to cruise down the coast, we stopped off at Getaria for a superb lunch, wandered the streets of the lovely old fishing port where we spotted the old tradition of fixing the nets, before heading back to San Sebastian.
The final outing started with a trip East to Txakoli territory, with a full tour of the grounds and vineyard, we took a breather on the patio surrounded by vines we had a taster and tapas session.
We didnt want to get too full as next on the list is the cooking class in one of the top seafood restaurants in the area and of course we got to eat our hard afternoons work. Overlooking the sea we relaxed, filled our bellies and sipped the areas finest vino.
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
The beautiful yacht Lucretia
Fine tuning as we head down the coast.
Cooking class starts with pescado
Onto to the art of slicing the ham
It has been a mixed bag of weather this Spring with our San Sebastian Tours from rain to hot, sunny days we have definitely had it all. But who cares when your “Out of Office” signature is on. We have had some great crews visiting for team building and corporate days where we mixed some amazing active, outdoor tours with a healthy dose of Basque food and drink. Our favourite combination is our bike ride “THE TRAIN TRACK TRAIL” followed by the food and drink taste explosion “BACK TO THE BASQUE ROOTS”
We provide San Sebastian day tours all year round. If you would like more details please get in touch https://www.experiencesansebastian.com/contact-us/
Cider house, tour and traditional lunch
The train track trail mountain bike tour
Txakoli tasting & tapas session
Experience San Sebastian boat day tour
Walking at sunrise, biking adventures when you never know what's round the corner, SUP-ing on clearest river, surfing with the best crew and even a marriage proposal. We love Autumn here is San Sebastian
If you would like any more information on our San Sebastian tours, please get in touch [email protected] .
