Overview

Laida is a unique flat water spot inside the Ría de Mundaka / Urdaibai UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Just across the estuary from Mundaka village — home to one of Europe's most legendary left-hand barrel waves.

The estuary has the best wind statistics in the Basque Country — over 100 days of laminar wind flow (F3+). At high tide, the estuary mouth measures 1 km while San Antonio beach narrows to 0.5 km, creating a natural Venturi funnel that accelerates the wind.

Kiting and windsurfing tradition since 1978 (windsurf) and 1998 (kite). ~200 federated kitesurfers in the Basque Country. Launch from the upper part of Kanala beach where wind is always better.

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Spot forecast for Laida

Sunrise 08:30 · Sunset 19:20

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

High tide Tue 20 · 13:01 · 3 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 19:25 · 1.6 m
High tide Wed 21 · 01:49 · 2.9 m
Low tide Wed 21 · 07:42 · 1.6 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Laida: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

90h

in July · 14.5 rideable days

The season runs from May to September, peaking in July: 10 rideable days a month and 90 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is January, at 3 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 92%13-20 knots · 7%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 92% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is December, at 13 °C. The wettest month is November, with 146 mm.

Monthly averages: Laida

Monthly averages — Laida — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	3.0	24 h	14 °C	107 mm
February	3.5	22 h	15 °C	124 mm
March	4.0	35 h	15 °C	132 mm
April	5.5	41 h	17 °C	74 mm
May	9.5	60 h	18 °C	81 mm
June	9.0	55 h	22 °C	39 mm
July	14.5	90 h	23 °C	19 mm
August	8.5	48 h	24 °C	56 mm
September	7.0	33 h	21 °C	71 mm
October	3.0	20 h	21 °C	129 mm
November	3.0	27 h	17 °C	146 mm
December	3.0	27 h	13 °C	143 mm

Photo gallery of Laida

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Technical details of Laida spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

High tide: Estuary fills — flat water, standing-depth in many areas. Lagoons and sandbanks. Ideal for freestyle and beginners.
Low tide: Huge sand banks appear, much less water. Beach becomes enormous — good for walking, less for kiting.
Venturi effect at high tide: mouth narrows from 1 km to 0.5 km at San Antonio — wind accelerates in this zone. Swim always has priority. The hotter the summer day, the stronger the thermal wind.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Beginner

On the water

Flat water in the estuary, sandy bottom. No rocks. Some rough grass. Many shells (kite damage risk on hard crash). Standing-depth at high tide in many areas. Strong tidal currents — be aware. Water 14-23°C. 5mm wetsuit mandatory in winter. 3/2 summer. Air 6-30°C through the year.

Parking

Car park on the Gernika side (Sukarrieta). Can be very difficult in summer — arrive early. Alternative: small boat from Mundaka in summer. Access also possible by paddling across from Mundaka.

Wind specificities

N (thermal summer) — Most common summer wind. Onshore. Never exceeding 20 knots. Hotter day = stronger wind. 12 knots many afternoons. Venturi effect at high tide.
NW (Gallego) — Estuary is sheltered from this direction — head to Ereaga or Arrigunaga beaches instead.
S-SW (Erreka haize) — Autumn/winter. Stronger winds (10-40 knots). Perfect for freestyle and wave-riding the Mundaka wave. EXPERTS ONLY — offshore, never alone. Common kites: 7-9m².
E — Spring. Head to Salburu reservoir or Laredo instead.

Hazards

⚠️ Since 2016, kiting is PROHIBITED in the river mouth area (from Laida up to the estuary) — it's a bird nesting ground, strictly protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
⚠️ Strong tidal currents — draws towards river or sea depending on tide. Waves near the beach can be chaotic due to current conflicts.
⚠️ Many shells on the sandbank which can damage the kite if crashed hard.
⚠️ Parking can be a nightmare if you don't arrive early.
⚠️ S-SW offshore wind is ONLY for experts — never attempt alone. The wind drops as the day goes on.

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Laida kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot