Harbour

Port du fort de socoa

Maximum length: 8 m
VHF channel: 16
Maximum draught: 170 m

Marina of 156 berths at the western end of Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay, below the Fort of Socoa, in Ciboure on the Basque coast.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach into Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay protected by three breakwaters: the digue de Socoa to the west, the digue de l'Artha in the middle and the digue de Sainte-Barbe to the east. Entry straightforward by day, swell builds on the outer digues in westerly gales. Call the harbour on VHF 16.

Practical

156 berths, water and electricity on the pontoons, fuel berth, sanitary block with showers. Village of Socoa with boulangerie, small grocers and seafood restaurants along the quay. Saint-Jean-de-Luz town centre reached by foot ferry across the bay.

Ashore

Fort of Socoa at 100 m, begun under Henri IV and completed by Vauban, open to visitors. Corniche basque coast path starts at the fort and runs 8 km west to Hendaye along the flysch cliffs. Plage de Socoa at 200 m, sheltered by the breakwaters and suitable for swimming.

History

The fort was built from 1627 to protect the bay from Spanish raids and reworked by Vauban at the end of the 17th century. The three breakwaters sheltering the bay were ordered by Napoleon III after the storms of 1822 and 1867 destroyed the old sea front of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Story

The round tower of the fort, 17 m high, still carries the inscription Louis XIV on its seaward side and served as a lookout against Spanish privateers during the War of Devolution.

Key facts

Type: Harbour
Coordinates: 43.39526, -1.68395 (43°23.72'N 1°41.04'W)
Town: Ciboure
Country: France
Maximum draught: 170 m
Maximum length: 8 m
VHF channel: 16
Phone: +33559472681
Updated: July 7, 2026

Getting there

Port du fort de socoa lies at 43°23.72'N 1°41.04'W, that is 43.39526, -1.68395 in decimal degrees. Call the harbour on VHF channel 16 before entering.

Directions +33559472681VHF 16