.png)
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Bay of Biscay with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Bay of Biscay with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN THE BAY OF BISCAY
SAILING IN THE BAY OF BISCAY
DISCOVER THE ENTICING FRENCH AND SPANISH COAST OF THE ATLANTIC
The Bay of Biscay is an extension of the Atlantic Ocean, positioned off the western coast of Europe from Ushant Island or Île d'Ouessant off Brittany in Northwest France to Cape Ortegal in Northwest Spain.
Though the bay is tumultuous, noted for its sudden, severe storms and strong currents, Biscay shorelines are a rewarding cruising destination in their own right. It is a busy holiday coast with easy day-sailing, sandy beaches, sheltered estuaries, inland seas, groups of small islands, and some beautifully-preserved old towns that make for the perfect destination for your yacht charter.
The Spanish Bay of Biscay sprawls languidly across the northern coast of Spain throughout the intriguing, culturally-separatist Basque country. It’s a blissful haven of rugged mountains that curl softly into lush green hills and beaches that reflect the picture of paradise. The stretch encompasses the Spanish Basque region’s two main cities of Bilbao and San Sebastián along with numerous picturesque fishing villages and seaside towns peppered in between modern Spanish cities including Santander, Gijón, and Avilés.
Located in the northernmost area of Spain, you’ll find the Costa Vasca which is commonly known as the Basque Coast. It stretches from the lovely town of Bilbao to Biarritz, a surfer’s dream come true. The Pyrenees Mountains make for the ideal background against the white, sandy beaches here, giving it cause for bragging rights as one of the most stunning shorelines in Spain’s northern region.
...
BEST TIME TO VISIT BAY OF BISCAY
From the beginning of June to late September, sailing is good in Biscay. Temperatures are just a bit higher, by about 5°C than south England. While occasional depressions will move by bringing strong winds, they’re never a surprise and can be planned for. Generally, though, light winds on the coastal seas and gentle land breezes make for a lovely feeling. Spring and autumn are the times when severe weather rises in possibility. It’s not the best time for your yacht charter. November to March also has some challenging climate, making the seas and exposed coasts a bit perilous to traverse, particularly in North Spain.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: JUNE - SEPTEMBER
TIME ZONE: GMT +02:00
LANGUAGE: FRENCH AND SPANISH
CURRENCY: THE EURO
REASONS TO VISIT
BILBAO
CAPITAL OF CULTURE - SAN SEBASTIÁN
EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE
LOVELY OLD TOWNS
SAN JUAN DE GAZTELUGATXE
SURFING AT MUNDAKA
UNCROWDED CRUISING
WINING AND DINING
GETTING TO BAY OF BISCAY
On the northern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, you’ll find Bilbao which is only a short drive from the Bay of Biscay. The Bilbao Airport is perhaps the busiest in the Basque region. The complex and convenient infrastructure make it a great place to land. Bilbao offers excellent transportation, making it a prime destination to unwind without added stress. You can fly in, take the Bilbobus or Bizaibus, or try the ferry.
Coming by plane, you’ll want to choose Air France, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Air Europa, Iberia, Norwegian, Brussels Airlines, Vueling, Alitalia, British Airlines, TAP Portugal, KLM, Easy Jet, Volotea, Swiss, or Turkish Airlines to get to Bilbao Airport (BIO). Another option is to fly to Santander with Ryanair. Direct flights to Bilbao are available from Amsterdam, Alicante, Barcelona, A Coruña, Brussels, Berlin, Canary Islands, Bristol, Dublin, Istanbul, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, London, Lisbon, Málaga, Madrid, Manchester, Munich, Milan, Paris, Rome, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Zurich, Sevilla, Stuttgart, and Valencia.
For visitors from France, Biarritz Airport (BIQ) is a popular choice and is only an hour and a half by car to the east of the city. Buses run between Biarritz and San Sebastian. There’s also a train that requires at least one change off. When you’ve arrived in San Sebastian, you can take a PESA bus to get to Bilbao. You can use Airport Transfers for private transfers from Bilbao to anywhere if you want a more convenient way to travel.
You can also rent a private jet and enjoy the freedom of choice, total comfort and flexible terms for your travel.
Always bear in mind that the airline industry is a fluid one and the services detailed here may change, sometimes from month to month. Please do not rely solely on this information for your travel plans. To keep an eye out for any new flights and to search for excellent flight deals, a website such as Tripadvisor can be a handy resource.
Another way to travel into Bilbao is by train. It takes a day from London. Direct trains run from other places in Spain. Alvia services from Barcelona take about 6 hours with services twice per day. Madrid takes slightly less time with about 5 hours to arrive. A daily direct train from Bilbao to Vigo is also available. FEVE trains run to Santander and Euskotren trains, and trams run to San Sebastián, Irun and Hendaye, across the French border. There’s no way to reserve your journeys on these trains though. You must buy your ticket at the train station when you want to make the trek. The main railway station is Bilbao-Abando. The locals call it Estación del Norte. It is where you’ll find all long-distance Renfe trains. Local trains go through the Concordia station, just adjacent.
It’s only about 62 miles (100 km) between Bilbao and San Sebastian. A toll highway connects them, called A-8. You can take the country road along the coast too, which brings you to the tourist resorts. Renting a car is more economical if you reserve it before your travels than if you choose to rent one upon arrival at the airport. A car ferry between Bilbao and Portsmouth, England, is another option. The ferry books up entirely in summer so reserve it early.
EXPLORE OTHER CHARTER AREAS WITHIN WESTERN EUROPE AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC
AZORES
BALTIC
BAY OF BISCAY
BERMUDA
BRITTANY
CANADA
CANARY ISLANDS
COWES
FAROE ISLANDS
HOLLAND
IRELAND
MADEIRA
NORWAY
SCOTLAND
SWEDEN
WALES
WHERE TO STAY IN BAY OF BISCAY
There are many different types of places to stay while you’re here on your yacht charter. You’ll find stunning luxurious hotels, bed & breakfast options for a more romantic and intimate setting, and plenty more. Rented rooms from hosts or home stays are also popular. Holiday rentals, holiday villages, tourist residences, and even camping are other accommodation options that you have when you sail into this region. It’s nice to have choices when staying in the Basque Country that range from simple to ornate.
WINING AND DINING IN BAY OF BISCAY
Along the French border extending just beyond Bilbao, you’ll find the Basque Country, known for its unique culture and language. It’s also known for some of the most incredible food you’ll ever taste. Pintxos, or small pieces of bread adorned with exciting combinations of vegetables, meat, and fish, are some of the most well-known, but there’s much more to sink your teeth into. San Sebastián is home to a high concentration of restaurants boasting Michelin Stars.
Baby Squid in its Ink - Chipirones en su Tinta
The Basque Country is known for seafood since its right along the coast. By far, squid is one of the favorites. Baby squid is a prime choice, fried to perfection and joined with a sauce of onions, tomatoes, bread crumbs, and white wine. The result is nothing short of delicious.
Cod a la Vizcaina - Bacalao a la Vizcaína
Bacalao a la Vizcaina, which is salted cod in Biscay sauce, is a timeless classic dish here. The sauce is a traditional red sauce of the Basque region, only made with red onions and choricero pepper puree.
Cod in Pil-Pil Sauce - Bacalao al pil-pil
In and of itself, salted cod is one of the most famous ingredients of the Basque region, and serves as the ideal stand-alone item too. It’s simple, consisting of nothing more than cod fried in garlic and olive oil. The cooking technique is what gives it a perfect sauce while the spitting oil is how it got its name. The skin pops and crackles with a delightful texture too.
Clams in Green Sauce - Almejas en Salsa Verde
The green sauce is one of the four traditional sauces in Basque cuisine. This dish is usually served as tapas, though you may see it, beautifully decorated with fresh parsley, for an appetizer too.
Fresh Tuna Stew - Marmitako
A robust and filling Basque dish, this stew of potatoes and tuna has all the makings of a good meal. It’s savory with a hint of spice, cooked up in an iron pot with sun-dried peppers, green and red pepper, and the obligatory onions, tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil.
Hake in Green Sauce with Asparagus - Merluza en Salsa Verde con Espárragos
Hake is a favorite fish here, and this is one of the most common, not to mention delicious, ways you’ll find it. Parsley is used quite often in Basque cuisine, something you will soon notice. The sauce is the star of the show, playing along perfectly with the texture of the fish. The asparagus-infused water adds to the delight.
Alubias de Tolosa
Beans, otherwise known as alubias, are everywhere in Spain. You’ll find them in stews. However, in Tolosa, they have blackish, reddish alubia that are so popular there’s even an annual festival to celebrate their existence. They’re cooked in a broth and then served with pepper, cabbage, and blood sausage.
Pastel Vasco
For something sweet, this Basque dessert can be found everywhere in the area. This traditional cake can be thick and spongy or slightly crunchy. It’s usually filled with crème pâtissière and sometimes fruit too, often cherries.
