Donostia-San Sebastián and other coastal areas in the province of Gipuzkoa are home to some true havens for a sport that’s popular across the world. There are several beaches that lend themselves well to surfing, whatever your level. And in San Sebastián, you’ll always find that perfect wave.
The Basque Country is a well-known surfing destination. The Cantabrian coast has the conditions sought by any avid surfer: wind, waves and spectacular beaches. What’s more, surf culture and the essence of the Basque Country – its traditional towns, villages and gastronomy – sit happily side by side.
Read on for some advice about surfing in San Sebastián and the surrounding area.
Surf beaches in San Sebastián
The town of San Sebastián has three beaches, all of them surfable. Is there any place more beautiful for surfing than La Concha Bay?
The bay may be sheltered but it’s possible to surf at Playa de la Concha when the sea is rough. You’ll have Monte Igueldo and Santa Clara Island behind you, and the town of San Sebastián to complete this incredible setting as you ride towards the shore. At high tide the two best areas for waves are at either extreme of the beach.
Playa de Ondarreta, at the western end of the bay, is even more sheltered than La Concha. Surfing here has become less popular since alterations were made at La Zurriola, though you can still catch a wave or two at the sea wall. Both La Concha and Ondarreta are surfable at high tide and when the weather gets up.
Playa de la Zurriola, a real surfing experience in San Sebastián
Playa de la Zurriola is where the surf’s really at in San Sebastián. It’s much more exposed to the Cantabrian Sea, and when the conditions are right you’ll see wave upon wave roll in under the brooding presence of the Kursaal building and Monte Ulía. Surfers from across the world come here to catch some of the best waves Europe has to offer.
La Zurriola is also known as Playa de Gros, after the part of town where you’ll find it. Gros is a young and lively neighbourhood and a great place to head out for pintxos, especially on Thursdays when many bars offer a pintxo and drink at a fixed price.
Surf came to Gros in the 50s and 60s when the pioneering Arteche brothers, among others, took to the sea on surfboards. Works on the breakwater at La Zurriola in 1994 changed the coastal profile and altered how the waves hit the shore.
Surf forecasts for La Zurriola are available on the main global surfing websites. La Zurriola is surfable at any stage of the tide cycle – prepare yourself for intense multi-peak waves. The wind is usually southerly/south-easterly/south-westerly. The beach is perfect for all levels right up to expert (beginners should stick to the area near the Kursaal) and you’ll find several clubs and surf schools in the area.
Now that you know you have the luxury of being able to surf right at the heart of San Sebastián, let’s check out some other destinations nearby.
Zarautz, pure surf
It’s impossible to talk about surfing in the Basque Country without mentioning Zarautz. Playa de Zarautz, with 2.5 km of sand and its characteristic colourful beach shelters, is the epicentre of Basque surfing. People flock here from across the world to try out the waves. The surf here is so famous that the Pro Zarautz competition forms part of the classification stage for the World Surf League.
The size of the beach means there are various surf zones. You’ll find rideable left and right waves the length of the beach and there’s rarely a day when conditions aren’t suitable for surfing. The number of surf schools also makes it a great location for beginners to get their first taste of the sport. Don’t be fooled, however: Zarautz has brought the world several world-class surfers including Aritz Aranburu, Axi Muniain, Hodei Collazo and Amatriain father and sons.
This town is surf, but it’s not just the waves that will lure you to Zarautz. It has a youthful vibe, great atmosphere and a restaurant headed by one of the most famous chefs in Spain: Karlos Arguiñano.
At just 20 km from San Sebastián, it’s perfectly feasible to visit both places during a trip to the area.
Other surf beaches near San Sebastián
Still not satisfied? Fear not. The coastline around San Sebastián is all about surfing. Beyond the town’s three urban beaches and Zarautz you’re sure to find somewhere to take to the sea with your board, whether heading east towards France or west towards Bilbao. El Espigón (The Breakwater) in Hondarribia is the last surf spot before the French border. It has a right wave that breaks next to the breakwater itself, at the mouth of the Bidasoa River.
Heading west are the municipalities of Orio, Getaria, Zumaia and Deba, and of course Zarautz. The beautiful Playa de Itzurun in Zumaia has strong waves which are perfect for surfing and bodyboarding, with huge cliffs towering overhead. For the more seasoned surfers among you, Aizpurupe, Izustarri and Orrua could be what you’re looking for. Airpurupe (Getaria) has waves up to 10 metres, so big in fact that they’ve been in the running for the XXL Big Wave Awards.
Surf shops: the emblematic Pukas
Pukas is one of the largest surfboard manufacturers in Europe. The origins of this giant of the surf scene date back to 1973, when a hippy commune in Cantabria hand-crafted a few boards. Pukas is still a family-run business and now not only manufactures and sells boards but runs a surf school too. It has several shops along the Basque coast, including the iconic store right on the Avenida de Zurriola in San Sebastián.
The company organised the first Euskadi 88 world surfing contest, a historic event that put Zarautz on the map. Many young people subsequently started surfing and formed a huge pool of talent that’s still strong today.
Avenida de Zurriola has two more classic local surf establishments: Hawaii Donostia, and Marujo Surf Shop. You’ll find surf shops on the adjoining streets too. As you’ll soon realise, the Gros neighbourhood is all about the surf.
