Plages des Dunes

The wildest beach in Anglet

In Anglet, Plage des Dunes lives up to its name. It's the wildest stretch of the local coastline, squeezed between an imposing dune ridge and the Chiberta golf course. No concrete boardwalk, no lifeguard station here, just sand, tall grass and an ocean that hits hard.

To get there, you have to go through a small pedestrian tunnel dug under the dunes, at the end of Avenue du Vallon. That setup, plus limited parking on the Avenue des Dunes side, naturally filters the crowds. The result: even in peak summer, footfall stays reasonable, quite a change from the central beaches of Anglet or Biarritz.

Nudity tolerated, not officially recognized

Officially, swimming or sunbathing nude isn't allowed on this beach. In practice, naturism is widely practiced and tolerated, especially in the more secluded areas toward the dunes. The lack of summer supervision has a lot to do with it: nobody's out here policing swimwear.

Regulars talk about a real mutual respect between the different crowds sharing the sand: naturists, families enjoying the setting, surfers stacking session after session. Everyone finds their spot without it causing any friction, which is far from a given on beaches where naturism isn't officially recognized.

What you'll find on site

Despite its raw feel, the beach isn't lacking in facilities. There are showers, toilets and access designed for people with reduced mobility. Dogs are allowed on a leash and barbecues are permitted, two details that matter for those spending the whole day there.

As for food, a few places nearby are within reach for lunch or a sundowner facing the ocean. The beach is also a well known surf spot, so the vibe mixes boards and towels without a hitch.

• Showers and toilets
• Wheelchair access
• Dogs allowed on a leash
• Barbecues tolerated
• Surf spot

Who it's for, and when

This beach mainly appeals to those looking for a quieter corner than downtown Anglet, away from the bustle of the patrolled beaches. Feedback keeps pointing to how unspoiled the site feels and how easy it is to find a secluded corner in the dunes. The flip side: with no lifeguards or first aid post, swimming calls for a bit more caution, especially when the sea is rough.