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Create Profile →Current conditions refresh every 3 hours when the cron runs. Hourly data updates every 30 minutes. The 7-day forecast, luck factor, and packing notes are all pre-computed at the same time.
We compare the 7-day forecast to the last 5 years of marine data for the same week at Guéthary. The delta tells you whether conditions are shaping up better, worse, or about the same as a typical early July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Honestly, no. Every break has tide windows, swell directions and reef contours that a global model cannot see. Treat the score as a starting point, then check a local cam.
The best week for surf at Guéthary is the week of 23 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
Small waves but still worth a paddle for keen surfers. Short-period wind swell: expect weak, crumbly faces. Onshore chop spoiling the lineup. Best conditions early morning before the sea breeze arrives. Not enough swell to get this spot firing properly.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rip risk elevated.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 84% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Significantly cleaner air than a typical city. Ideal for outdoor exercise with minimal respiratory strain.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NO₂ 5, O₃ 3, PM10 2, SO₂ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 03:00
Crystal clear water: ~19m visibility
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Guethary (Getaria in Basque) is a heavy right-hand reef break on the French Basque coast between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The wave breaks over a rocky shelf, producing thick, powerful walls and occasional barrels on bigger swells. The small fishing village perched on the cliff above has a timeless Basque character. It is one of the best waves in this part of France when conditions align.
Needs a solid north-westerly groundswell (5ft+) with a south-easterly offshore wind. Best at mid to high tide when water covers the shallowest reef. The 5-8ft range produces its best waves. Works November through March primarily. Smaller swells do not produce the quality it is capable of.
The main peak breaks over a defined section of reef. The right is the primary wave, running along the rock shelf. Line up with the harbour wall and cliff features. The take-off is a tight zone and precision is important.
Shallow reef with sea urchins. Powerful wave that throws with force. Getting caught inside means being pushed over rocks. Strong currents along the coast on bigger days. Experienced surfers only. Booties recommended.
Park in the village and walk down to the harbour area. Entry from the rocks; watch locals for the best route. The cliff path provides excellent viewing.
A dedicated crew of Basque and French surfers who know this wave intimately. The take-off is tight so numbers are limited. Competitive when it is on. Show respect, be patient.
Guethary rewards patience and skill. Do not paddle out on a whim; observe from the cliff for 15 minutes first. The right works best on a dropping tide from high to mid. The village has charming Basque restaurants. If Guethary is too heavy or too crowded, Biarritz (10 minutes north) offers mellower beach breaks.
Surf at Guéthary
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Daily scores over the last 12 months at Guéthary
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Guéthary tend to be best between 07:00 to 10:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 29/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
View Best Time to Go →Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 31 days of logged conditions.
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