Explore the Wild Beauty of the Basque Coast by Boat
Description
Set off on a unique experience in the heart of the Basque Country. Departing from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, this small-group coastal escape takes you to Hondarribia (Fontarabie) — the first Spanish port accessible by sea. As we cruise along the coast, you’ll be amazed by the stunning scenery of the Basque Corniche, the hidden bay of Loya, and the iconic Deux Jumeaux rocks, watched over by the Château d’Abbadia. Aboard our boat, you’ll explore preserved natural sites steeped in history — off the beaten path. Hondarribia welcomes you with its authentic charm, colorful houses, and picturesque fishing port. We'll also sail along the Cape Higuer and Los Frailes Bay, where, on sunny days, a swimming stop lets you enjoy the crystal-clear waters in a breathtaking natural setting. A perfect blend of nature, culture, and seaside pleasure, this outing promises a journey full of discovery and emotion. Experience the Basque Country differently — book your escape now!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Departure: Port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz A legendary port of the Basque Country, where fishing remains the main activity to this day.
We will follow the Basque Corniche, a protected natural area located between Hendaye and Ciboure. Today, the hiking trail that winds along these cliffs is closed to the public due to its fragility — but from the sea, we’ll have the unique opportunity to admire the impressive Flysch cliffs from a privileged perspective.
You’ll discover the Bay of Loya, a hidden gem of the Basque coast, nestled between the cliffs of the Corniche and Hendaye, and overlooked by the majestic Château d’Abbadia.
Below the château, we’ll admire the “Deux Jumeaux” — two iconic sea stacks standing like sentinels facing the ocean. These natural formations have withstood the relentless force of the sea over time.
Hondarribia is home to a small fishing port that remains one of the most important in the Basque Country.
This is also where the Jaizkibel mountain range begins, home to the “Bay of Pigs” and Amuitz Island, a stunning area where the water is often crystal clear and calm. We'll make a short swimming stop here for those who wish to take a dip. (Snorkeling equipment available on board.)
We’ll make a short detour to the port of Socoa, overlooked by its historic fort — a true treasure of the Basque Country and a witness to its rich and captivating history.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please arrive 20 minutes before the departure time.
- Please do not go down onto the pontoon and wait on the quay; a member of our team will come to pick you up.
- Please bring: sunglasses, sunscreen, a windbreaker, a swimsuit and towel if you’d like to swim, and a bottle of water.
- Plan to arrive early in Saint-Jean-de-Luz to allow time for parking.
Reviews(74)
A wonderful experience all around! We really enjoyed the explanations at the individual stops. The boat was really great - we had a lot of fun 🤗
Captain was amazing ! He explained in French and English about all the areas we visited and provided historical and cultural significance . We had a little swim and returned to St-Jean de Luz accompanied by a very happy and playful dolphin! So fun !
This boat trip is definitely recommended. Bringing swimwear is so handy. You get 2x the chance to swim.
Yesterday, we did the getaway to Fontarabie and had a great time. New boat, super comfortable, pleasant experience (what beautiful landscapes!), fun (2 swimming and snorkeling breaks), and educational thanks to Paul’s explanations (also at ease in English to comment or answer questions)!
Very nice and nice to see the beautiful coast from the water!
We were very well received and we left on time at sea Very good explanations during the outing
Fantastic beautiful canal cruise! It was a very nice experience to see the coast from the sea. Good explanation received from our skipper (Antoine) who was also very helpful. He spoke both French and English and took extensive time to talk to everyone and answer questions. Proud of its beautiful Basque Country. We are super happy that we made this trip.
It was a very nice trip with great explanation from the skipper Antoine Along the coast was much to see While diving, someone had lost their wedding ring at a depth of 20 feet Miraculously, Antoine found this one again All in all a very nice experience Definitely worth repeating
A real pleasure to discover the magnificent Basque coastal landscape with the attentive company of Paul and the comments from Antoine. An unforgettable moment in our traveling journey. Thank you Oceanboat64! 🥰
Friendly interesting comfortable and fun to ride the the waves- And low enough in the water to see the dolphin that swam alongside. Always great vantage to see the land from the sea :-)
