The Oceans Surrounding Saint-Jean-De-Luz, France
- The Persaud Foundation
- May 20
- 4 min read
In today’s article, we shall examine the oceans surrounding Saint Jean De Luz, France. Saint Jean De Luz is a small fishing town in the center of the Bay of Biscay, along the Western Coastline of France. Its name is derived from Saint Jean, & the fact that the city was flooded often over its centuries of existence. Saint Jean De Luz means “Saint Jean’s Swamp”, as the town occasionally is flooded to the point of being partially underwater. It is near the border between France & Spain, in the Basque Region.
The city itself is approximately 7 square miles, with a population density of roughly 2,000 people per square mile. The city is well known for its fisheries, wildlife, beaches, casino, spas, & luxurious resorts. Both international & domestic tourists flock to the area seeking relaxation, & a tranquil atmosphere. Many festivals & events are held in the town, as it is an accessible location to both the French, & the Spanish.
The coastline around the city is the site of many fisheries, & marine animals. Whales, sharks, & squid are only a few of the animals that frequent the coastline of the town. Although Saint-Jean-De-Luz is nestled along the Northern Atlantic Ocean which is notoriously cold, their beaches are renowned for their beauty & charm. The water is very pure, & is free of pollution. Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming, & similar oceanic activities are fairly popular around the town.
In this article, we will discuss the salinity, tides, temperatures, marine geography, & depth of the oceans surrounding Saint -Jean-De-Luz, the most prominent oceanic ecosystems of Saint-Jean-De-Luz, & the documented marine flora & fauna of Saint-Jean-De-Luz. With that being said, let us delve into the oceans surrounding the bewitching & charming town of Saint-Jean-De-Luz.
The Salinity, Tides, Temperatures, Marine Geography, & Depth of the Oceans Surrounding Saint-Jean-De-Luz
Unfortunately, the salinity around Saint-Jean-De-Luz is unmeasured. The salinity in the Bay of Biscay is approximately 30 to 35.6 parts per thousand at any given time. As Saint Jean De Luz is located along the Bay of Biscay, the salinity of the water must fall between those 2 figures. Salinity is measured in 1000-gram increments of water, & for every 1000 grams of water, a certain amount is salt. This measurement is called parts per thousand, or practical salinity units.
The tidal charts for the areas around the town can be found on a plethora of websites, a few of which are: https://www.tide-forecast.com, https://www.tidetime.org, https://www.surf-forecast.com, https://www.tideschart.com, & https://tidesnear.me. The high tide usually does not reach over 4.25 meters tall, & the low tide doesn’t typically reach under 0.13 meters.
The oceanic temperature charts may be found on similar websites, including: https://www.seatemperature.org, https://seatemperature.net, https://www.surf-forecast.com, & https://www.tideschart.com. The average yearly oceanic temperature differs each year, it is usually close to 61.758333333333° Fahrenheit (16.53240740740722° Celsius). Using this yearly temperature, it is recommended that swimmers wear wetsuits with a thickness of 5 millimeters.
There are no strong rip currents around the city, & the regular currents are not particularly strong. The beaches are perfectly safe for swimming, & the water is unaffected by pollution. Some of the most popular beaches around Saint-Jean-De-Luz are Mayarco Beach, Grande Plage, Pergola Beach, Erromardie Beach, & Plage de Lafitenia. Surfing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, & canoeing are only a few of the oceanic activities that are popular around the city, as the city is incredibly popular.
The oceanic floor around the city is largely composed of sand, rock, & clay. The deepest oceanic point within 5 nautical miles (5.7539 miles or 9.26 kilometers) of the city is approximately 230.3 feet (70.19544 meters) deep.
The Most Prominent Ocean Ecosystems of Saint-Jean-De-Luz
Ecosystem No. 1: Intertidal Zones
Intertidal zones are located along the coastlines, & are exposed to air at low tide. These zones are where the ocean meets the shoreline, & contrary to popular perception, are absolutely teeming with oceanic life. From crabs to bivalves, this ecosystem has a unique variety of marine life, as well as a unique variety of features. These zones generally have species from the phyla Echinodermata, Arthropoda, & Mollusca in them. Additionally, these zones may have tide pools.
Ecosystem No. 2: Seagrass Meadows
Seagrass meadows are large patches of seagrass that oxygenate the water & provide shelter for marine organisms. These meadows are incredibly important to the oceanic ecosystem, as they provide a food source, an oxygen source, shelter, & spawning grounds simultaneously. These seagrass meadows may be composed of 1 species, or be composed of multiple species depending on their depth. Typically, these meadows can be found from 0.25 to 190 feet (0.0762 meters to 57.912 feet) deep.
The Documented Marine Flora of Saint-Jean-De-Luz
Unfortunately, there is very little information available about the marine flora of Saint-Jean-De-Luz in the public domain, & we cannot find information on specific marine plant species in the local area.
The Documented Marine Fauna of Saint-Jean-De-Luz
Saint Jean De Luz has a variety of different marine fauna, ranging from curious sharks, to peculiar squid, to massive whales. Unfortunately, there have been no marine animal surveys for the coastline, meaning we do not have comprehensive information about what marine life roam the area. Approximately 250 tons of fish are harvested from the coastline of Saint-Jean-De-Luz every year, with the most popular fish being tuna, anchovies, & sardines.
Directories / Credits
Citation No. 1: “Wetsuit thickness & temperature guide”, Written by Mark Evans, & Published on April 24th, 2023, at 3:05 PM. Published By Scuba Divers Magazine. Retrieval Date: May 22nd, 2024.
Citation No. 2: “The Basque Country Beaches in Saint-Jean-De-Luz”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by Negocom Atlantique. Retrieval Date: May 22nd, 2024.
Citation No. 3: “Saint-Jean-de-Luz: The Royal City”, Written by Unknown, & Published at an Unknown Date. Published by the Tourist Office of the Basque Country. Retrieval Date: May 22nd, 2024.
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