SurfPlanet

Bizkaia, Spain

Barinatxe (Sopela)

Also known as Sopela, Sopelana, Barinatxe, Atxabiribil

Intermediate Beach break Sand bottom Peels both 0.6–2.5 m Mid tide

The Bilbao surf scene's home break: a clifftop beach with several peaks over sand, the best known being the Barinatxe left that holds a wall on a good NW swell. It is close to the city and picks up well, so it gets crowded, but the multiple peaks spread the crowd out. Cliffs give some wind shelter on offshore (SE/E) winds.

Hazards

RipRocksCrowds

Conditions

Best swell
NW, WNW, W
Best wind
SE, E, S
Season
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Wave size
0.6–2.5 m
Wave quality
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Consistency
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Crowd
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Coordinates
43.3847, -3.0200

Facilities

ParkingToiletsSurf SchoolBoard RentalCafeLifeguard

Getting there

Park at the clifftop car park above Barinatxe (follow signs for Sopela/Barrika). Steep stairs down to the sand.

Sources