Anglet / Biarritz (Côte des Basques)
Biarritz outer anchorage · Côte des Basques
43°28.9'N 001°34.1'W
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Fair Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m minimum — exposed coast, fair holding. FAIR WEATHER ONLY — do not overnight. Proceed to Bayonne/Anglet or St-Jean-de-Luz for overnight.
About This Anchorage
Biarritz 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. However, from a sailor's perspective, Biarritz is an exposed open roadstead with no shelter from Atlantic swell — any anchoring is fair-weather daytime only. The famous Grande Plage, Côte des Basques (the birthplace of surfing in Europe), and the chocolate shops of the town are all accessible from the daytime anchorage in calm conditions.
Protected From
E · NE
Exposed To
W · NW · SW · N · S
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Fair weather ONLY — do not anchor overnight in any swell. Atlantic swell monitoring mandatory. Leave IMMEDIATELY if any W/SW develops.
Hazards
- !FULLY EXPOSED to Atlantic W/NW/SW swell — leave immediately if any swell builds
- !NOT an overnight anchorage — St-Jean-de-Luz (10nm S) or Bayonne (3nm N) for overnight
- !Surfers on the Côte des Basques and Grande Plage — exclusion zones apply
Skipper's Tips
- →Daytime only — arrive in flat calm morning, visit the town, depart by 14:00 before afternoon swell.
- →The Hotel du Palais from the water is one of the finest coastal architecture sights in SW France.
- →The Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer) at the lighthouse is excellent — live sharks and seals.
Facilities
Biarritz has world-class restaurants, beach cafés, and the famous chocolate makers (Miremont).
Nearest provisions: Biarritz / Anglet (3nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September, fair weather, daytime only. Do NOT overnight on this coast.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
Atlantic swell can build quickly on the Basque Coast. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your GPS position all night — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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