Surf Conditions Plage de Hendaye Today — Score 4.4/10 with 0.88m Swell and Offshore Wind

Today at Plage de Hendaye delivers a solid 4.4/10 score — a respectable summer session for this family-friendly beach break in the Basque Country. We're looking at 0.88m swell with a 7.25-second period, which sits in the sweet spot for consistent, rideable waves without excessive power. The westerly wind at 11.6 km/h is working in our favor, providing offshore conditions that'll clean up the face and extend the wave window early in the day. For those unfamiliar with Hendaye's character: this is a regular exposure, west-facing beach break where conditions respond sensitively to Atlantic swell direction and local wind patterns. Today's setup — moderate swell height, moderate period, and offshore pressure — suggests a quality morning session with forgiving, moldable waves. The average daily swell of 0.7m indicates consistency without overwhelming power, making this an ideal day for intermediates and those chasing clean form over barrel intensity.

🕐 Best session windows

The optimal session window is 00h00 (midnight onwards into early dawn), where the score peaks at 4.4/10. This timing captures the offshore westerly wind at its cleanest phase before onshore sea breeze typically builds through the morning. At this window, expect the 0.88m swell to be organized by the 7.25-second period, translating to wave faces with better definition and less choppiness than you'd see by mid-morning. The westerly offshore direction will help groom the wave face, creating that critical shoulder for carving and maneuvers. Water conditions should be glassy or near-glassy in the pre-dawn window — a surfer's gift on an otherwise moderate swell day.

📊 Detailed weather analysis

The 7.25-second period is crucial to understanding today's rideability. This mid-range period avoids the choppiness trap of shorter periods (think 5-6 seconds) while delivering more punch than the lazy, slow-moving sets you get from ultra-long-period Atlantic groundswells (9+ seconds). With a 7.25s period, each wave has enough momentum to sustain a ride, and the set frequency is regular enough to maintain rhythm without exhausting paddle-outs. The 0.88m swell height is modest by Atlantic standards, but period matters more than size at beach breaks — and this period compensates by delivering waves with better shape and peeling characteristics. Plage de Hendaye's west-facing exposure is perfectly aligned with today's westerly wind direction. Offshore wind from the west pushes into the face of westbound swell, creating that textbook grooming effect: steeper take-off angles, reduced whitewater, and longer ride windows. This is why the score sits at a respectable 4.4/10 despite sub-meter swell. If the wind were onshore (easterly), we'd see immediate degradation as wind chop would overwhelm the swell's natural geometry. The current setup means you're getting cleaner, more shaped waves than the raw swell height would suggest.

📍 About the spot

Plage de Hendaye is a regular beach break known for soft to medium waves and a distinctly family-oriented vibe. Its west-facing aspect means it receives direct exposure to Atlantic swell and responds quickly to westerly wind shifts — both assets today. The sandy bottom and gradient make it forgiving on beginners while still offering enough shape for intermediates to work on technique. Because it's a beach break, sandbar configuration changes seasonally, but in August the banks are typically well-formed and stable. The spot's gentle character means today's 0.88m swell won't feel intimidating; instead, it'll offer accessible, moldable waves perfect for building consistency without risk of getting thrown around. This is not a reef pass or a heavy beachie — Hendaye rewards clean technique and patience over raw power.

📅 Week forecast

The week ahead shows a slight dip Tuesday through Wednesday (3.1–3.2/10 scores with 0.6m swell), then a gradual rebuild Friday into the weekend. Friday 14/08 reaches 4.2/10 with 0.8m swell, and both Saturday 15/08 and Sunday 16/08 return to today's quality: 4.4/10 and 4.2/10 scores respectively, with 0.9m and 0.8m swell. The best call for this week is today (Monday), Saturday, or Sunday — all three offer similar conditions in the 4.2–4.4/10 range. If you can't get out today, Saturday morning will deliver nearly identical opportunities. Tuesday and Wednesday are worth skipping unless you're committed to small-wave practice; Thursday is a recovery day with only 3.4/10 and marginal rideable swell.

❓ FAQ

What time is best to surf at Plage de Hendaye today?

The optimal session window is 00h00 (midnight onwards into first light). This is when the forecast score peaks at 4.4/10 and the westerly offshore wind is cleanest before onshore sea breeze develops. Expect glassy faces, consistent 7.25-second period sets, and minimal chop in the pre-dawn window. After sunrise, wind tends to shift and strengthen onshore, degrading face quality by late morning.

What is the surf score at Plage de Hendaye on 10/08/2026?

Today's maximum score is 4.4/10 with 0.88m swell and a 7.25-second period. This is a solid summer score for a family beach break. The moderate period (7.25s) is the hero of today's forecast — it provides better wave shape and consistency than the raw swell height alone would suggest. Average swell across the day is 0.7m, indicating stable, non-punchy conditions ideal for intermediates.

Are conditions improving this week at Plage de Hendaye?

Not significantly, but they do stabilize. Tuesday–Wednesday see a dip to 3.1–3.2/10 (avoid these days). Thursday marginally improves to 3.4/10. Friday bounces to 4.2/10. The real strength returns Saturday 15/08 (4.4/10) and holds through Sunday (4.2/10). Bottom line: today, Saturday, and Sunday are the keeper days this week; Friday is okay but secondary. Tuesday–Wednesday are skip days unless you're desperate for small-wave training.