#365 European Rank
Playa de Laga
Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Etxeorratz (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.51/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.1°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€48/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Wind-Exposed
Moderate Surf
Exposed to Onshore Surf & ChopCove aspect: Faces W (270°) · Wind: W (270°)
Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · ONSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces W (270°)
Onshore Wind • Waves and surface chop pushed into the beach
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
W (270°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 0°
Spatial Geometry: Wind from W pushes unobstructed over the open sea directly onto the W-facing coast, generating breaking chop.
Morning Coastal Brief for Playa de Laga: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Onshore wind (12 km/h) is pushing open-sea swell directly into the bay, creating active breaking waves and reduced visibility. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.1°C
Air ~32°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 22.1°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.9°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.4°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 12.5°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 13.5°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 15.7°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 18.7°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 21.1°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.1°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 20.8°C | 30°C | Refreshing |
| October | 18.3°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| November | 15.8°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 14.0°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Spain Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 14 Jul – 10 Sep (>21°C) · 58 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.1°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Playa de Laga for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Playa de Laga (Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.1°C
⛱️ Beach access: 100% free public sand • Sunbeds: €0–€0
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces W (sheltered from E winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/playa-de-laga-es/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Good
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.8 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Playa de Laga
Golden sand, green hills and surf beneath the mighty Ogoño headland, the Basque coast in a single frame.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Road BI-3234 from Ibarrangelu with parking areas and Bizkaibus transit connection from Gernika.
•Protected Status / Environment: Located in the UNESCO Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve at the base of Cabo de Ogoño (300m cliff).
•Notable Feature: 570m wild open Atlantic beach with restored dune system, golden sand, and consistent surf breaks.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (100%)Private Concessions (0%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
Free (100% Public)
No commercial loungers; bring your own parasol and beach mat.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: 100% open public coastline. No commercial sunbed concessions or umbrella installations permitted.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Morning Shade • Late Afternoon Golden Hours
Faces westward into the open horizon, offering bright afternoon sun and prime sunset vantage points.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
NoGood for Kids
NoDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
NoNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai. Accessible via regional coastal roads (43.407°N, -2.655°E).
•Swim the sheltered corner; the middle catches swell.
•The Urdaibai biosphere reserve, with the great Ogoño cliff at one end.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Playa de Laga?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Playa de Laga
What is the water temperature at Playa de Laga?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Playa de Laga averages 22.1°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Playa de Laga?
Playa de Laga is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Ibarrangelu, Urdaibai, Spain.
Is Playa de Laga good for families with kids?
Playa de Laga has steeper entry or natural coastal features better suited for confident swimmers.
Are there parking and facilities at Playa de Laga?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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