Txingudi Plongee

Txingudi Plongée is a human-scale dive centre situated on the port of Hendaye, positioned perfectly between Biarritz and Saint-Sébastien. Its location within the Txingudi bay provides a strategic gateway to the diverse marine landscapes of the Basque coast.

You can choose between the calm, sheltered waters of the bay for introductory dives or head out to the more dramatic features of the coastline. The area is known for its variety, offering everything from protected coves to impressive cliff walls, caves, and significant wreck sites.

Founded by Jérôme, a dedicated sports educator, the centre focuses on a pedagogical and welcoming approach for all levels of experience. The team is structured to provide personalised instruction, catering to everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to advanced divers.

The centre operates under the FFESSM affiliation, ensuring training follows rigorous national standards. All instruction and direction are conducted in French.

Txingudi Plongée provides a comprehensive range of FFESSM certifications, covering Niveau 1 through to Niveau 4. They also offer specialized training for diving supervisors (RIFAP) and professional diving qualifications.

Technical training is a core part of the curriculum, with courses available for Nitrox, Trimix, and drysuit diving (combinaison étanche).

The URPEKARIAK is a robust, former professional fishing vessel of English construction. It is a stable platform capable of carrying up to 17 divers out to the local sites.

Powered by a 200 hp inboard engine, the boat is well-suited for the local conditions. On board, tea, coffee, or cold drinks are provided to divers during the trip.

The centre offers full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit, including BCDs, regulators, cylinders, wetsuits, fins, masks, and snorkels. All equipment is regularly maintained and disinfected.

For technical diving, the centre is equipped to support Nitrox and Trimix profiles.

The sheltered coves like Anse d'Asturriaga and Anse d'Amuitz offer excellent opportunities for macro enthusiasts. During a swim-through or a reef flat exploration, you can find octopus, starfish, and various nudibranchs.

The deeper sites and cliff walls host a more diverse range of larger species. You will regularly encounter conger eels, lobsters, and various species of fish such as tacauds and sars.

The local waters also support torpedo rays, ocean sunfish, triggerfish, and various anemones. Look closely at the reef structures to find sea anemones, jewel anemones, yellow coral, sponges, and encrusting algae.

The diving conditions vary significantly depending on the site chosen. The bay of Hendaye and the Jaizkibel area act as natural aquariums, offering protected sites with low swell and minimal currents.

Once you move away from the sheltered bays toward the cliff walls and drop-offs, you can expect more significant currents. The swell can also be more pronounced on these open sites compared to the protected coves.