The Grande Plage is the central beach of Biarritz — a wide arc of sand facing the full force of the Atlantic, with the Belle Époque seafront of the city rising above it. It is a classic intermediate surf beach, with a consistent beach break that gives good rides in most conditions and is forgiving enough for beginners to learn on. In summer the beach is packed with a mix of surfers and sunbathers; in winter, when storms drive proper Atlantic swell, the serious surfers take over.
The beach is flanked by the Casino Municipal (now a conference centre) to the north and a line of grand hotels to the south. The boardwalk above the beach fills with strollers in the evenings. Swimming and surfing are supervised by lifeguards from June to September. Water temperatures in summer reach 22°C.