Surf photos at Pavillon Royal, Bidart
Bidart’s northernmost spot, part reef, part beach break. Were you in the water at Pavillon Royal? Pick the day and the time: your photos are in there.
Sessions at Pavillon Royal
Dead flat. No sessions here.
Either nobody shot this slot, or you’ve got the wrong spot. Happens to the best of us.
Latest surf photos in the Basque Country
Wave forecast at Pavillon Royal
Today
| Time | Swell | Dir. | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 m13 s2nd 0.6 m · 5 s | NW | 13 km/h ESE | |
| 1.2 m13 s2nd 0.5 m · 5 s | NW | 6 km/h ENE | |
| 1.1 m13 s2nd 0.5 m · 5 s | NW | 4 km/h NW | |
| Now | 1.0 m13 s2nd 0.4 m · 5 s | NW | 8 km/h NW |
| 1.0 m13 s2nd 0.4 m · 5 s | NW | 10 km/h WNW | |
| 0.9 m12 s2nd 0.5 m · 5 s | NW | 10 km/h SSE |
Source: Météo-France, MFWAM model (Licence Ouverte), forecast issued 2 November at 1am. Offshore swell (spot facing WNW): at the shore, the waves also depend on the sandbanks and the tide.
Pavillon Royal surf spot in Bidart
- Good to know
- To the north, a fickle reef that can throw a powerful right; to the south, a friendlier beach break. Rocky and dangerous at high tide.
- Best tide
- Falling tide
- Level
- Advanced on the reef, beginners to the south
More about Pavillon Royal
At the far north of Bidart, Pavillon Royal plays both sides: a fickle reef that can throw a powerful right, and a friendlier beach break to the south. Rocky at high tide, it’s best surfed on the falling tide.
Find your Pavillon Royal session by day and time, scroll through the photos and download yours in HD.
Pavillon Royal: your questions answered
What tide is best for surfing Pavillon Royal?
Aim for mid tide, ideally on the falling tide. At high tide there isn’t enough water over the reef slabs and the spot becomes genuinely dangerous.
Does Pavillon Royal handle a big swell?
Not really: above about two metres the wave falls apart, and the currents get treacherous in a heavy swell. On big days, you’re better off heading to another beach in Bidart.
Is Pavillon Royal for beginners or experienced surfers?
Both, depending on where you go: at the northern end, the rocky reef along the headland throws a hollow but fickle right for experienced surfers. Further south, the beach has easier lefts and rights, and a surf school works there.
What swell and wind suit Pavillon Royal?
It works best in a north-westerly swell with an easterly to south-easterly, offshore wind, and it’s known as one of Bidart’s most consistent spots. The banks shift through the year: the beach fills with sand just before summer.