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hendaye kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
France · Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Overview
Hendaye is the southernmost kitesurf spot on the French Atlantic coast, located on the 3km sandy beach that marks the Franco-Spanish border at the mouth of the Bidassoa river. It is the only Basque beach without cliffs, making it the most family-friendly and accessible spot in the Basque Country. The beach faces west-southwest, receiving the dominant Atlantic swell and westerly winds. A beautiful setting with views of the Spanish coast, the Rhune mountain and the Figuier island.
Spot forecast for hendaye
Sunrise 08:27 · Sunset 19:16
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Tides
Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 7.4 km from the spot.
- Tuesday 20 October High tide · 2.8 m Low tide · 1.8 m High tide · 3 m Low tide · 1.6 m
- Wednesday 21 October High tide · 2.9 m Low tide · 1.6 m High tide · 3.2 m Low tide · 1.3 m
- Thursday 22 October High tide · 3.2 m Low tide · 1.4 m High tide · 3.5 m Low tide · 1.1 m
- Friday 23 October High tide · 3.4 m Low tide · 1.1 m High tide · 3.7 m Low tide · 0.8 m
- Saturday 24 October High tide · 3.7 m Low tide · 0.9 m High tide · 3.9 m Low tide · 0.6 m
hendaye: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
261h
in May · 28 rideable days
The season runs from March to September, peaking in May: 25 rideable days a month and 261 hours of usable wind, at 20 °C. The low point is December, at 19 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 69% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is March, with 149 mm.
Monthly averages: hendaye
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20.0 | 166 h | 14 °C | 130 mm |
| February | 20.5 | 166 h | 15 °C | 94 mm |
| March | 23.0 | 215 h | 15 °C | 149 mm |
| April | 25.0 | 212 h | 17 °C | 84 mm |
| May | 28.0 | 261 h | 18 °C | 75 mm |
| June | 23.0 | 184 h | 22 °C | 69 mm |
| July | 27.0 | 258 h | 23 °C | 35 mm |
| August | 24.0 | 186 h | 24 °C | 66 mm |
| September | 24.0 | 184 h | 22 °C | 109 mm |
| October | 21.0 | 177 h | 21 °C | 132 mm |
| November | 19.5 | 156 h | 18 °C | 139 mm |
| December | 19.0 | 143 h | 14 °C | 145 mm |
Photo gallery of hendaye
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of hendaye spot
The spot works with winds from N, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.
Depending on conditions: NNE, S.
Spot functioning
The kite zone is at the northern end of the beach (towards the casino/Les Deux Jumeaux), away from the main bathing areas. Self-organised spot — no formal zones but experienced riders respect informal boundaries. In summer, lifeguards manage the beach and kite zones are restricted during peak bathing hours. The best launching conditions are at low to mid-tide when the beach is wide.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
Open year-round. Best season: May to October. Summer thermal winds (north to northwest) are reliable in the afternoons. Winter brings powerful Atlantic swells and strong onshore winds. The beach is accessible all year but bathing zones in summer restrict kite areas.
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
Atlantic beach break with waves of 0.3 to 1.5m in normal conditions. Sandy bottom throughout. The beach is wider and shallower than Hossegor, making body drag recovery easier. The Bidassoa estuary creates some current on the southern end. Generally more forgiving conditions than the open Hossegor beaches.
Parking
Multiple car parks along the Hendaye seafront, accessible from the N10/A63 motorway. Full services (restaurants, shops, accommodation). SNCF train station in Hendaye — direct link from Bayonne and Biarritz.
Wind specificities
Hendaye receives west to northwest dominant winds. The proximity of the Spanish coastline and the Pyrenees creates specific local effects — the Txingudi bay can channel wind differently than the open Hossegor coast. The thermal north wind is reliable in summer afternoons. Wind from the south is accelerated by the Pyrenees terrain and can be gusty and variable near the cliffs at the Spanish border.
Hazards
Powerful Atlantic waves and shorebreak. Tide-affected spot — the beach narrows significantly at high tide reducing the landing zone. Rip currents present, especially near the Spanish border rocks. The Bidassoa river estuary creates specific current patterns. Shared beach with bathers and surfers — respect all designated zones. Strong southwest wind is very gusty near the cliffs.
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Live
Hendaye - Domaine d'Abbadia1.8 kmsource infoclimat
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Additional stations
-
SOCOA7.6 km
Readings reserved for Premium members
source meteofrance
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La Rhune13.7 km
Readings reserved for Premium members
source FFVL
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