#478 European Rank Blue Flag Certified
Zarautz
Basque Country, Spain•Atlantic Ocean• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.39/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
22.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€46/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Moderate Surf
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces N (0°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Exercise Caution
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces N (0°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
N (0°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the N-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Zarautz: Noticeable shorebreak; recommend caution for small children and non-swimmers. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. 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) · Basque Country, Spain
Ideal Swimming
Early August
22.2°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 · 22.2°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8°C | 18°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 12.3°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 12.5°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 13.6°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 15.8°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 18.8°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| July | 21.1°C | 32°C | Refreshing |
| August | 22.2°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 | 13.9°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 – 11 Sep (>21°C) · 59 days
Planning around peak water warmth (22.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Zarautz for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Zarautz (Basque Country, Spain)
🌊 Water temperature: 22.2°C
⛱️ Beach access: 75% free public sand • Sunbeds: €16–€30
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces N (sheltered from S winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/zarautz-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: ExcellentCertified Blue Flag
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Excellent Quality
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 & Setting4.2 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.6 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Zarautz
A golden surf strand fronting a promenade of pintxo bars and board shops, the longest beach on the Basque coast.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Direct urban access from the N-634 coastal highway and Zarautz railway station (Euskotren).
•Protected Status / Environment: Located along the Basque Coast Geopark area near Pagoeta Natural Park; Blue Flag certified.
•Notable Feature: The longest sandy beach in the Basque Country (2.5 km), world-renowned as an international surfing hub with a lively seaside promenade and pintxo gastronomic culture.
Official Tourism Authorities:spain.info
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Balanced Concession Mix
Free Public Sand (75%)Private Concessions (25%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€16low season→€30August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Regulated municipal umbrellas alongside spacious free public sectors. Ample towel space available.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Spanish coastal law classifies all sand as public domain (dominio público). Concession zones are strictly demarcated.
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
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Basque Country. Accessible via regional coastal roads (43.286°N, -2.171°E).
•Lively Atlantic swell; lifeguarded swimming zones.
•The Basque Country's longest beach along a lively surf-and-pintxo town.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Basque Country, Spain.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Zarautz?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zarautz
What is the water temperature at Zarautz?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Zarautz averages 22.2°C (72°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Zarautz?
Zarautz is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Basque Country, Spain.
Is Zarautz good for families with kids?
Yes, Zarautz is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Zarautz?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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