Overview
Les Cavaliers is one of the Côte Basque's premier beachbreaks, throwing up grinding A-frame peaks with hollow, fast rides over clean sandbanks. It sits just south of the mouth of the river Adour, next to the site of La Barre, one of the first French waves to earn international fame before a concrete-block jetty destroyed it. This stretch of sand runs about five kilometres south to VVF Anglet, compartmentalised into bite-sized beaches by sandbar-marshalling breakwaters, and the wave quality here probably owes a lot to that rivermouth setup.
When It Works
Primed to convert almost any westerly swell, Cavaliers draws waves from west to north (W-N) and is very consistent, so it is rarely flat. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 3 m / 10 ft, ranging from shoulder-high peaks up to double-overhead, and it handles stronger swells well as they focus through the rivermouth. The banks are at their best through autumn and winter, roughly October to February, though there is usually something rideable year-round.
Wind and Tide
Look for east (E) offshore wind, with a workable window edging into the southeast. It breaks through low and mid tide, with a rising tide generally the better call. On bigger days the outer banks unfurl at low tide before the peak edges inside, and it can turn into shore-dump for a couple of hours around high.
Local Tips
Cavaliers is a compressed, rippable peak best suited to intermediates on a shortboard or fish. Expect a busy lineup when it is on, with over 100 surfers out through peak summer and autumn and a skilled local crew who all know each other; the vibe is friendly enough, but you will know you are a visitor. When it is small, surf schools and A-frame hunters crowd the pretty peaks, and walking south toward Les Dunes can pay off. It still gets rippy despite the jetty shelter, so keep an eye on the current when it is big. It also regularly hosts large international contests.
Access
Getting out is simple, helped by a paddling channel beside the jetty. There are restrooms, showers, a lifeguard, and a surf school on hand, plus a car park with free parking, though it is height-restricted and fills up fast in summer.
