Belharra

Belharra, ( eu, Belarra, literally "grass, weed") is a

reef A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic processes— deposition of sand, wave erosion planing down rock out ...

and a surf spot in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

located off Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the

Northern Basque Country The French Basque Country, or Northern Basque Country ( eu, Iparralde (), french: Pays basque, es, País Vasco francés) is a region lying on the west of the French department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Since 1 January 2017, it constitu ...

, in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. The shoal creates a violent wave. Before a jetty was constructed in the harbor, the wave would sometimes swallow ships moored at Socoa. The 8+ metre wave forms northwest of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, between Socoa and Hendaye, about 2.5 kilometers from the beach. It breaks only rarely, and doesn't break at all most winters. It was first surfed on November 22, 2002. For example, during the winter of 2013-2014, Belharra broke only three times: October 28, December 22 and January 7. The shoal, which sits between 14 and 18 metres deep, consists of a plateau forming a stepped overhang. When there is no swell, the area can be used as a dive site. Big wave surfing Surfing locations in France Labourd Landforms of Pyrénées-Atlantiques Reefs of Metropolitan France Sports venues in Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{BasqueCountry-stub