A fickle sand-over-rock bay wedged between Lafitenia and Cenitz on the Basque Coast, Mayarko is the kind of spot that disappears for years at a time depending on how much sand has settled over the rocky bottom. When conditions align, mid-bay peaks produce left and right options with a strong tendency toward close-outs, the right-hander on the north edge of the bay is the most consistent rideable section. It needs SW to NW groundswell, offshore winds from the SE or E, and works best at mid to low tide when the sand is present. A mixed-skill crowd shows up on summer weekends when nearby spots are blown out or packed, but the wave is genuinely absent for years between good sand cycles. Bottom: sand over reef. Season: autumn and occasional winter windows. Consistency: very low. Check neighbouring Lafitenia first, if Mayarko isn't showing sand in the water, it almost certainly isn't working.
Weekdays the place is typically empty. Summer weekends draw local groms from St-Jean-de-Luz when closer town breaks are too crowded or flat. Pressure is low by Basque Coast standards, but that's partly because the wave isn't worth fighting over unless the banks are genuinely good. Respect the locals who do show up, they've been watching these banks for years.
The bay sits between Lafitenia and Cenitz along the D918 coastal road south of St-Jean-de-Luz. No dedicated facilities at the beach itself. St-Jean-de-Luz has full services including board rental and food. Watch for submerged rocks across the bay at all states of tide, not just the obvious reef on the left flank.
Lafitenia to the north is a far more consistent right-hand point and the obvious first choice when swells are running. Cenitz just to the south offers similar sand-bottom conditions with better form on its day. Both spots handle the same SW-NW swell window and give you a quick read on whether the whole stretch is firing.
Forecast by Windy.app
