Overview

Ciboure is the kitesurf spot in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the most sheltered on the French Basque coast. Located at the entrance of the bay between the Socoa jetty and the Ciboure beach, the spot benefits from a unique exposure to south and southwest winds that are typically offshore at other Basque beaches. The bay creates a relatively sheltered water surface compared to the exposed ocean beaches nearby. A technical spot requiring good local knowledge — bay exit currents and heavy boat traffic from the fishing port.

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Spot forecast for Ciboure

Sunrise 08:26 · Sunset 19:16

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

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Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 5.2 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October High tide 00:36 · 2.8 m Low tide 06:33 · 1.8 m High tide 13:03 · 3 m Low tide 19:25 · 1.6 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:51 · 2.9 m Low tide 07:42 · 1.6 m High tide 14:05 · 3.2 m Low tide 20:19 · 1.3 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 02:39 · 3.2 m Low tide 08:32 · 1.4 m High tide 14:49 · 3.5 m Low tide 21:01 · 1.1 m
Friday 23 October High tide 03:17 · 3.4 m Low tide 09:13 · 1.1 m High tide 15:26 · 3.7 m Low tide 21:37 · 0.8 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 03:51 · 3.7 m Low tide 09:50 · 0.9 m High tide 16:01 · 3.9 m Low tide 22:12 · 0.6 m

Ciboure: 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

194h

in May · 22 rideable days

The season runs from March to May, peaking in May: 20 rideable days a month and 194 hours of usable wind, at 18 °C. The low point is June, at 14.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 54%13-20 knots · 36%21-30 knots · 9%31+ knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 54% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is December, with 149 mm.

Monthly averages: Ciboure

Monthly averages — Ciboure — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	17.5	158 h	14 °C	142 mm
February	16.0	147 h	15 °C	93 mm
March	19.0	195 h	16 °C	138 mm
April	20.0	180 h	19 °C	86 mm
May	22.0	194 h	20 °C	89 mm
June	14.5	113 h	23 °C	62 mm
July	17.0	152 h	24 °C	36 mm
August	16.0	109 h	26 °C	42 mm
September	15.5	150 h	23 °C	129 mm
October	17.0	159 h	21 °C	130 mm
November	16.0	142 h	18 °C	134 mm
December	16.0	126 h	14 °C	149 mm

Photo gallery of Ciboure

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Technical details of Ciboure spot

The spot works with winds from SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W.

Depending on conditions: SE, WNW.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot functioning

The spot is practiced from the Ciboure beach or the Socoa area. In south to southwest wind, the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz creates a semi-sheltered water surface. Watch out for port navigation and permanent fishing boats in the bay — always stay out of marked channels. Choose a launch area well away from jetties and pontoons. Self-organised spot, no school on site.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Open year-round. Best conditions: south to southwest wind episodes (Foehn, Atlantic depression). In summer, calmer conditions with lighter thermal breezes. The fishing port is very active year-round — respect areas reserved for navigation.
Required level: Advanced

On the water

Semi-sheltered water with chop of 0.2 to 0.8m in southwest wind. Sandy bottom inside the bay, rocky near the Socoa jetties. Bay exit currents can be strong during spring tides — monitor carefully. Water is generally calmer than at Erromardi or Les Cavaliers.

Wind specificities

South to southwest wind enters the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz heading north — this is the spot's main wind window. This wind is often offshore on the west-facing Basque beaches, but here it arrives onshore or lateral. Foehn mountain effects can produce strong and unstable south wind conditions. West thermal sea breezes are possible in summer but arrive at a less favourable angle inside the bay.

Hazards

Heavy port traffic — fishing and pleasure boats permanently in the bay. Strong bay exit currents at spring tides. Rocky areas near the Socoa jetties. Kite lines above water close to boats — extremely dangerous. Never cross a marked channel. Spot reserved for experienced riders who know the bay well.

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Additional stations

SOCOA0.5 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source meteofrance
La Rhune10 km

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source FFVL

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Webcams near Ciboure

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Schools, shops and places to stay nearby

Directory: France

Nearby spots

All spots: Nouvelle-Aquitaine

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Ciboure kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot