Mundaka, Playa de Laida

The surfing community regards this legendary left as one of Europe’s biggest and most powerful barreling waves – Mundaka’s 'green-room’ rates a perfect 10! If a winter southerly drives the surfers away, accomplished windsurfers and kiters also have a shot at some spectacular waverides. Strictly experts only! Launch from 'Playa de Laida’ at the rivermouth opposite Mundaka village. A strong tidal current draws either towards the river or sea, so the waves near the beach are absolute chaos. But outside there are three clean peaks to choose from: Mundaka itself, another in the middle of the bay, plus a third to the right. Best wind direction is south to south-westerly (offshore to cross-off), which generally drops as the day goes on. The lagoons by the beach and in the river are good for freeride or flat-water kiting at high tide.