A short, punishing left-hand reef on the west flank of Guéthary harbour, Les Alcyons jacks hard on takeoff and barrels across a shallow shelf before running out of steam fast. It needs a genuine N swell to get going, handles a touch of S-SW wind, and fires best from low to mid tide when the shelf has enough shape to throw. Size range is 4-15ft, but the wave really shows its teeth from 6ft up, where the entry becomes a commitment and the current through the lineup demands full attention. This is experts-only territory: the takeoff is steep and immediate, the barrel section is unforgiving, and heavy localism means out-of-towners should read the lineup carefully before paddling out. Bottom: submerged reef. Season: autumn and winter swells, Oct-Feb. Consistency: low. Stormwater runoff affects water quality after heavy rain, so check conditions before you paddle.
This spot draws a tight, expert-heavy local crew and the lineup is always competitive when it is on. Crowds are a constant when the bank fires, which is rare enough that everyone present knows exactly what they are there for. Respect the pecking order, sit wide on your first sets, and do not paddle straight to the peak. Burning locals here carries real consequences.
A car park and restrooms sit near the Guéthary harbour, making logistics straightforward. The famous terrace above the bay gives a clear view of the break before you commit, which is worth using as a read before paddling out. Water quality drops after heavy rain due to stormwater runoff. No major current hazards are flagged, but the shallow reef demands respect on wipeouts.
When Les Alcyons is too small or too maxed out, Guéthary itself offers a longer right-hand setup with more size tolerance. If the whole stretch is blown out or too big, the beachbreaks south toward Bidart provide a longer, more forgiving option.
Forecast by Windy.app
