Drop us a line with whatever's on your mind.
FAQ
Questions
You Asked,
We Answered
We Answered
Find answers about staying with us, what to bring, and how it all works.
Questions?
Practical answers about travel, packing, skill levels, and how things work here.
No. We work with everyone from complete beginners to experienced surfers. Our guides read the water and read you, adjusting sessions to match your level and what you're after that day.
Bring clothes for warm days and cooler evenings, sun protection, and any medications you need. We have wetsuits and boards here. Honestly, pack light—you'll find you don't need much.
Fly into Biarritz, then it's a 30 minute drive to us.
Fly into Bordeaux, then it's a 1hr 40 minute drive to us.
We can help arrange transport or point you toward the best options.
Tell us what you eat and what you don't. We work with local ingredients and can accommodate most preferences. Vegetarian, vegan, allergies—just let us know upfront.
Yes. Our guides are experienced and know these breaks inside out. We assess conditions daily and won't take anyone out in conditions beyond their ability. Safety isn't negotiable.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
The house fills quickly during peak summer months (July and August) and the prime surf season of September and October. Booking 2–3 months ahead is advisable for those periods. Last-minute availability occasionally exists outside peak season — get in touch and we will let you know what is available.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
Surf lessons are structured coaching sessions designed for beginners and those learning the fundamentals. You will be taught paddling, timing, the pop-up, stance, and basic wave reading. Guiding is for surfers who can already catch and ride waves unassisted. A guide uses local knowledge to find the right break for the conditions and your level, and provides real-time feedback — but it is not a formal lesson. Most guests progress from lessons to guiding over the course of a stay.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
Our guides check the swell, wind, and tide every morning and choose the spot that best suits the conditions and the ability levels in the group. Southwest France has a wide range of breaks — from mellow beach breaks ideal for beginners to punchy, hollow waves for intermediates and beyond — so there is nearly always something suitable within a short drive.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
If you have stood up on a board but cannot yet catch unbroken (green) waves confidently, you are most likely an improver. Tell us when you book — a short description of what you can do is more useful than a label — and we will place you in the right group.
To Be Completed
Surfing requires some upper-body strength for paddling and reasonable cardiovascular fitness, but you do not need to be an athlete to enjoy a surf holiday. If you can swim comfortably and have a broadly active lifestyle, you will manage well.
Yes. You do not need to be a competitive swimmer, but you must be comfortable in the water and able to swim at least 50 metres unassisted. The Atlantic Ocean can have strong currents and being comfortable in the water is a baseline safety requirement.
There is no upper age limit. People surf well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. The key is being comfortable in the water and having a reasonable level of general fitness.
To Be Completed
Yes — surfboards are included in your package. We have a selection to suit all levels: soft-top longboards for beginners, funboards and mid-lengths for improvers, and performance boards for more experienced surfers. Your guide will recommend the right board for your level and the conditions.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
These are typically needed in autumn and winter. To Be Completed — confirm whether you stock these for hire or whether guests should bring their own if travelling outside summer.
To Be Completed
This depends on the time of year. In summer (June–August) the water reaches 18–20°C — a 3/2mm fullsuit is the standard choice. In spring and autumn (April–May, September–October) temperatures range from 14–18°C and a 3/2mm is still suitable. In winter (November–March) temperatures drop to 10–12°C and a 4/3mm or 5/4mm with boots, gloves, and a hood is recommended.
To Be Completed
Southwest France offers surf year-round. The best overall season for most guests — combining quality waves, warm weather, and manageable conditions — is September to early October. Swells become more consistent, the water is still warm from summer, and the beaches are quieter. For beginners and families, summer (June–August) is the most comfortable. For experienced surfers chasing powerful waves, late autumn and winter deliver the biggest swells.
Summers are warm and sunny, typically 25–30°C on land with reliable south-westerly swells producing clean 2–4ft waves. The region has a mild Atlantic climate — even in summer, mornings can be cool and the sea breeze picks up in the afternoon. Autumn brings the most consistent surf.
To Be Completed
Yes — this is the Atlantic coast and conditions can be powerful, especially from September onwards. Your guide will always choose a beach appropriate for your ability. To Be Completed — describe your approach on big storm days.
Biarritz Airport (BIQ) is the closest, served by direct flights from multiple UK and European cities. Bordeaux (BOD) is approximately 2 hours north and has a wider range of routes. San Sebastián (EAS) in Spain is approximately 45 minutes away and can also be a useful option.
Yes. The main rail connection is Biarritz or Bayonne station, served by TGV from Paris in approximately 5 hours. To Be Completed — describe onward transport from the station to the house.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
Absolutely. The majority of guests at surf houses travel solo. The shared schedule, meals together, and group surf sessions mean you will meet people quickly. Solo travellers consistently describe surf camps as one of the most welcoming formats for people going alone.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
The southwest France coast has enormous beaches and plenty of gentle water play. The wider Basque region is exceptionally family-friendly with great food, culture, and scenery. To Be Completed — describe non-surf activities nearby suitable for children.
Yes. The southwest France coast and Basque Country are beautiful. Biarritz is a short drive away with excellent food, culture, and markets, and the region has world-class walking, cycling, and coastline. To Be Completed — confirm whether non-surfers are welcome on the trip to the beach.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
We strongly encourage reef-safe sunscreen. Standard sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are harmful to marine ecosystems.
Card is widely accepted in France, but smaller beach vendors and markets are often cash-only. To Be Completed — advise on cash and card at the house and in the local area.
To Be Completed
Yes — action cameras are great for capturing your surfing. Your guide can advise on the best mounting option. We recommend saving the camera for once you are comfortable in the water.
The main hazards on the French Atlantic coast are rip currents and wave power. Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water running away from the beach. Do not swim against a rip — paddle across it (parallel to the beach) until you are clear of it, then return to shore. Your instructor will cover how to identify and handle rips in the pre-surf briefing. Occasional jellyfish are also present in late summer.
To Be Completed
French Atlantic beaches are patrolled by the CRS (beach rescue service) during summer, typically mid-June to mid-September. Outside these hours or months, lifeguards are not present, which is one reason you should always surf with a guide or group.
Yes. Every session begins with a land briefing covering the conditions of the day, ocean hazard awareness, how to use your board safely around other surfers, and how to fall correctly.
Many people with pre-existing injuries surf comfortably, but please consult your doctor before booking if you have any concerns. Let us know at the time of booking so your guide can adapt sessions accordingly.
To Be Completed
Yes — comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Ensure your policy explicitly covers water sports and surfing. Standard policies often exclude these activities as a default, so check the small print or purchase a specialist surf or water sports add-on.
At a minimum: medical treatment and hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, personal liability, cancellation and curtailment, and lost or damaged equipment. Specialist surf travel insurers such as Surfers' Insurance, Battleface, and World Nomads (with the adventure sports add-on) are commonly used by surf travellers.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
Yes. Surfing is physically demanding and recovery matters, especially for beginners whose arms and core will work hard. Rest, good food, and sleep are as much a part of the experience as the sessions themselves.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Bring a reusable water bottle. Avoid single-use plastics. Carpool or share transfers where possible.
To Be Completed
To Be Completed
To Be Completed