Could you please give me some more details of exactly where the site is .... you are sailing into Santander which is in Spain

It's about 150 miles up the coast from Santander, just north of Biarritz.

Not been but there seems to be lots of good reviews out there.

The campsite is in an area called Labenne-Ocean which is in the Gironde region.The campsite which is called Sylvamar is owned by a group company known as "Yelloh".

I've heard of Yelloh - they haven't got any negative whispers that I've heard. For things to do in the area, contact the Biarritz Tourist Office and see if they have a website. I noticed from the map that you are relatively near to Bayonne, famous for its ham and Basque specialities. You could also venture into the Pyrennees, and down to Spain too. You might get some info from Bayonne and Dax tourist offices, and also those of Santander and St Sebastian/Donostia in Spain. Apparently the coast is very good for surfing! If you were to google BASQUE COUNTRY you should get loads of info. Your local wines will be those of Bordeaux and the South West ... such as Bergerac and the little-known but delicious local red from PECHARMENT ......... it's only a VDQS rather than an AOC but the price is very interesting and all those bottles I've opened got finished in a twinkle!

We have just returned from the Sylvamar site in Labenne Ocean and have already booked for next year!!

I would say its quite a rustic and laid back campsite and took me a few days to get into it, but that is quite normal! Its a very family orientated place with very good facilities. There are shops and restaurants on the site and in very close proximity as well as a 'go ape' high wire park and small water park next door.

The beach is about 900m away from the site so if you are taking beach gear then probably the car is wise, but its free parking so no problems there. It is however amazing how many people take to their bikes, it really is great to see, we'll be taking ours next year. The surfing all along the coast is great, it just takes you a little time to suss out the tides and which spot works best, Labenne is a low to mid tide spot!!

We have a family of 5 with the kids ages ranging from 9, 14 to 17, none of them wanted to leave and came back saying it was one the best holidays they have had!

We took the fast ferry from Poole to Cherbourg and stayed over the night in La Rochelle (wonderful place!!) On the way back we drove 8 hours to St La Mont Michel and stayed over in a hotel on the Mont for the night, it was then a 2 hour drive to Cherbourg. Next time we will do the same driving down but probably get the overnight crossing from Santander, just for something different!

Hope this helps but let me know if there's anything else you need to know!!

A big thank you to Clowasey,Alsacienn and Pedros for the info.Pedro could you fill me in on any rules that the campsite may have because in the brochure it says that the camp manager sticks to the rules etc but we are not sure what this refers to.Things like only speedo trunk etc, my two lads said no way we will just go to the beach if thats the case(not cool).Now that I know you have been there Pedro I will probably be thinking of things to ask you in the future when we get closer to August next year if that's ok.

Many thanks Papa Charlie

Hi there, no worries at all!

The campsite is actually owned by Yelloh and Keycamp and Eurocamp are basically holiday operators using the campsite. There are several other (foreign) operators on site too as well as the Yelloh brand. The Keycamp and Eurocamp mobiles are located towards the rear of the site, which is good because you are some distance away from the bar, resturant and theatre area, where you can get a fair amount of noise, but its always quiet by about 11.30 - 12.15am. anyway.

In terms of rules it is therefore Yelloh who impose them, which to be honest its more about etiquette than rules. They do have a trunks only rule for the swimming pool. We all tried to ignore it for a day or two but eventually got asked to change. My 17 year old son said exactly the same 'over my dead body will i wear trunks' but to be honest, everyone wears them and if in shorts look more like the odd one out. They sell the trunks, which are more like black stretch boxers, not the old speedo type at the campsite shop but are quite expensive so best take your own. I put money on it that your boys will relent because the pool complex it so good, plus they can join in the water polo and pool games.

The site closes the main gates at about 10.30 and have security guards on throughout the night which is quite reassurring.

If your going through Keycamp or Eurocamp then your kids will be able to join in with Fun Station or Base, all of ours did, and Base went down really well with my older two, they did go karting, surfing, high wire, beach party etc etc

The kids stuff took me a little by surprise, they all met friends and really didn't want to drift far from the site which can be a little frustrating when you say to the kids that tomorrow we'll have a family day out, becasue all they want to do is the activities, which is not a bad think but just worth considering becasue the morning session is 10.30 -12.30 and afternoon session 4.00 - 6.00, so you end up trying to arrange things around those times. By about the second week, we had it sussed!!

Hope this helps!!

We've booked again for next year until the end of July, if you are there between 30th July - 3rd August, make sure you make the Bayonne Festival, we missed it this year but will be going next, its supposed to be fantastic, bull running the lot!!!!!!

Regards

We stayed here in August 2008 with Keycamp and June 2005 with Yelloh. Much preferred the Keycamp experience - as others have said the childrens clubs were a real bonus for the children - aged 7 and 15. The Base for teenagers was particularly good and well organised with a lot of activities planned.

There is evening entertainment which varies in standard but is usually fun. Didn't eat in the restaurant on site so can't comment. Pool has swimwear rule which are applied rigorously - my husband and son bought boxer type trunks which looked good and were acceptable - saw many people turned away in swim shorts.

The beach is not really within walking distance with all the usual kit you need to take but the car park is free. The waves are strong - we heard of a number of injuries while we were there. The lifeguards are vigilant and keep people within the safe areas.

Out and about - Bayonne is a lovely city which we enjoyed. Tried to visit St Jean de Luz but it was so busy we couldn't find anywhere to park! Up into the mountains we liked Cambo les Bains and St Jean Pied de Port. Up the coast Cap Breton and Hossegar are worth a visit. On a rainy day we went to a large shopping centre in Dax for a change. For grocery shopping we used the Carrefore supermarket in Tarnos, about 4 miles south - the most amazing fish counter ever!

The first time we used P&O to Bilbao and this time Brittany Ferries to Santander - this takes an hour longer to drive but the crossing is quicker

We thoroughly enjoyed Sylvamar - the children have asked when we're going back again as they had such a good time!

Thanks for the info SybilRamkin.We are booked to go on the Santander ferry as we live in Plymouth we thought it would be the best opption.Could you tell me if the drive to the campsite from the ferry port is easy or is there anything we need to be aware of,and how long do you think it should take.I have checked some different maps i.e. google and multi maps but they are giving slightly different routes.Also did you have to pay any tolls .Many thanks

The journey from Santander to Sylvamar takes approx 2.5 hours. It is mainly motorway (mostly 2 lane) but the Spanish part is sometimes a bit ropey! (Pot holes and quite twisting) Having said that they are doing major repairs at the moment so it will probably be OK by next August.

This time I used a Garmin Nuvi sat nav so found the journey really straight forward but previously used Michelin route planner - there are quite a few times when the motorway splits so you need to be ready but it is not difficult. The are quite a few tolls and cost about 18 euros each way.

I have heard that the Pont Aven is being moved from Plymouth to Portsmouth in April 2009 but don't know if that means the Santander route will change to start from Portsmouth or if Brittany Ferries will be putting a different ship on from Plymouth to Santander. If so it could affect the length of time the crossing and arrival times.

One tip we were given is to do any last minute shopping in Santander before sailing. We found a huge Eroski shopping centre 2 miles from the port which was very good so we stocked up in Spain rather than France.

Hope you have a really good holiday - it's a very nice area

Once again thanks for the info .I have got myself a sat nav now so there shouldn't be any probs with a bit of luck so you may get a report back next year from Portugal or there abouts lol.As far as we know the ferry will still be going from Plymouth but which boat we will have to wait and see.There is going to be a new ship for the Plymouth to Roscoff run tho.Once again thanks for the much valued info.

Cheers

Hi me and my family went to Labenne Ocean in August 2008 we stayed for 2 weeks. We had a lovely holiday. it did rain about 4 days but the rain was mostly in the morning and in the afternoon the sun came out. The drive was not that bad we drove from caen and i booked stopovers in bordeaux on the way down but was not needed as no traffic and kids behaved themselves. I have 4 children aged 1,5,12,15 the15 year old was a little bored as she wanted the internet. The boys loved the freedom of running around outside. everyone very friendly.

we spent most of the time on the beach and cycling, the area is lovely lots to see and do. Did not eat out at all was on a budget and with 4 children very expensive. However we did go quad biking and go-karting.

loved the way everyone cooked around bar-b-que in the evening.

we booked direct the only thing is with 6 people the 3 bedroom mobile home was a little too small for all of us but breakfast on the decking was lovely.
would like to go again but kids want to go somewhere different.