Best Anchorages on the French Basque Coast
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is the only fully sheltered bay between Arcachon and Spain — 150nm of open Atlantic coast with permanent background swell. These 5 locations cover the Basque coast from Biarritz to the Spanish border with verified depth and anchor alarm radius.
1
Sheltered bay (Arcachon–Spain)
3–4m
Tidal range (moderate)
0.5–2m
Background Atlantic swell
Spain
20nm to Hondarribia
Atlantic Swell Warning — Saint-Jean-de-Luz is Your Only Refuge
The French Basque Coast has permanent Atlantic swell — 0.5–2m in settled conditions, 3–6m in storms, 8–12m in Bay of Biscay gales. Saint-Jean-de-Luzis the ONLY fully sheltered bay between the Arcachon Basin and the Spanish port of Pasajes (150nm of open coast). Every other anchorage on this coast is exposed to significant Atlantic swell. Biarritz is daytime/fair-weather only — do NOT overnight there. River entrances (Adour at Bayonne, Nivelle at St-Jean) have a barre (bar)at the mouth — dangerous in swell; enter only in calm conditions at HW on a rising tide.
5 Verified Anchorages
Saint-Jean-de-Luz — Main Bay
(St-Jean-de-Luz)Excellent HoldingSaint-Jean-de-Luz is the jewel of the French Basque Coast — the only fully sheltered bay between the Arcachon Basin and the Spanish border (150nm of open Atlantic coast).
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Baie de Socoa / Fort de Socoa
(Socoa)Good HoldingSocoa on the W side of the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay offers a slightly quieter anchorage in the shadow of the Fort de Socoa (17th-century Vauban fortress on the headland).
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Hendaye — Baie du Figuier
(Hendaye anchorage)Excellent HoldingHendaye is the last port in France before Spain — the Bidassoa river forms the border, and the Spanish town of Hondarribia (Fuenterrabía) is visible across the river.
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Anglet / Biarritz (Côte des Basques)
(Biarritz outer anchorage)Fair HoldingBiarritz is one of the most glamorous resorts in France — the grand Belle Époque Hotel du Palais (originally built for Empress Eugénie), the lighthouse, and the famous surfing beaches are internationally famous.
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Crowds
Moderate
Full anchoring guide →
Saint-Jean-de-Luz — North Beach anchorage
(St-Jean N anchorage)Excellent HoldingThe northern anchorage area within the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay is a slightly quieter alternative to anchoring directly in front of the main town — same excellent shelter and holding, but marginally away from the ferry boat traffic and main beach crowds of July–August.
Depth
3–7m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Crowds
Busy
Full anchoring guide →
Basque Coast Anchoring Rules — Summary
- !Saint-Jean-de-Luz only: The only fully sheltered bay between Arcachon and Spain. All other anchorages are exposed to Atlantic swell. Use St-Jean-de-Luz as your base — do not get caught outside in a Bay of Biscay gale.
- !Biarritz/Anglet: Daytime fair-weather only — not an overnight anchorage. Leave by 14:00 before afternoon swell builds. Proceed to St-Jean-de-Luz (10nm S) for overnight.
- !Bar entries (barre): River entrances at Bayonne (Adour) and St-Jean-de-Luz (Nivelle) have sand bars at the mouth — enter in calm conditions only, at HW on a rising tide. Do NOT attempt entry in swell above 1m.
- !Spanish border at Hendaye: The Bidassoa river is the France/Spain border. International customs compliance required when crossing the river. Hondarribia/Fuenterrabía (Spain) is worth a dinghy trip.
Sleep Safely in the Bay of Biscay
Atlantic swell can build quickly even in St-Jean-de-Luz. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position all night — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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