Zarautz
43.284°, -2.170° · 6 m a.s.l.
Marginal
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
Marginal: only 1.48° between the Sun and the local skyline at peak.
45/100Marginal
99.8%
Partial eclipse · 99.8% obscuration
See the eclipse from Zarautz minute by minute
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Photo: Turismo Gipuzkoa · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
About Zarautz
Zarautz is a coastal municipality on the Gipuzkoan coast, located in the Basque Country just metres above sea level. With a population of just over 22,600 inhabitants, it occupies a cove open to the Bay of Biscay, flanked by cliffs and one of the longest beaches in Gipuzkoa. The town received its charter in 1237 and has retained a strong maritime character that today coexists with its reputation as a surfing and tourist destination.
For this eclipse
The eclipse of 12 August 2026 will be seen from Zarautz as a partial eclipse. Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time, when the Sun will be just 7.8 degrees above the horizon, with a margin of 1.9 degrees above the terrain line. The lunar coverage will be notable, but observation requires a completely unobstructed western horizon: any building, hill or low cloud could prevent seeing the phenomenon at the most striking moment.
The weather in August
August in Zarautz follows the pattern of Cantabrian oceanic climate: average temperature of 20.7 °C, highs around 24 °C and nocturnal lows of about 17 °C. Average monthly precipitation reaches 55 mm, and the risk of thunderstorms at this time of year is high, especially in the afternoons. Overcast or partly cloudy skies are frequent, though summer allows sunny intervals that may coincide with the eclipse time. (Data: AEMET, 1991-2020 series.)
Past eclipses
The last eclipse of significance recorded from Zarautz was an annular eclipse on 1 April 1764, more than 260 years ago. On that occasion the Moon covered approximately 87% of the Sun's disk, with several minutes of annularity in the area. After the 2026 eclipse, we must wait until 27 February 2082 to witness from this stretch of the Cantabrian coast another annular eclipse of comparable magnitude.
Direction and altitude of the Sun
At the moment of maximum, the Sun will be 7.8 degrees high and with an azimuth of 283 degrees, that is, in the west-northwest direction of the sky. From Zarautz beach that means orienting yourself almost perpendicular to the coast and turning slightly towards the north. The star will already be very close to the sea horizon, which requires finding an observation point with clear sightlines in that direction, free from any structure or terrain feature.
Editorial text by eclipses.app · Data: Wikidata, AEMET, NASA and astronomy-engine.
Eclipse schedule in Zarautz
| Phase | UTC | Local time | Sun alt. | Sun az. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 — Partial begins | 17:31 UTC | 19:31 | +17.7° | 273.9° |
| Maximum | 18:27 UTC | 20:27 | +7.8° | 283.1° |
| C4 — Partial ends | 19:19 UTC | 21:19 | -0.8° | 291.9° |
Sun direction and altitude at C4
Look toward WNW (291.9°)
Azimuth at C4
291.9° WNW
Sun altitude at C4
-0.77°
Terrain horizon
6.29°
Sun−terrain margin
+1.48°
What the contact points (C1-C4) mean
A solar eclipse is described by four key moments, the contact points between the discs of the Sun and the Moon:
- C1First contact: the Moon touches the edge of the Sun and the partial eclipse begins.
- C2Second contact: the Moon fully covers the Sun and totality begins.
- C3Third contact: the Sun reappears and totality ends.
- C4Fourth contact: the Moon leaves the Sun's disc and the eclipse ends.
Where the eclipse is only partial, the Moon never fully covers the Sun: only C1 and C4 occur, with no totality in between.
Peaks near Zarautz
| Peak | Elevation | Distance | Azimuth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hernio | 1078 m | 12.8 km | 174° S |
| Hernio | 1077 m | 12.8 km | 174° S |
| Aizpel | 1068 m | 13.2 km | 172° S |
| Portumatza | 1049 m | 12.5 km | 175° S |
| Erlo | 1029.7 m | 12.5 km | 226° SW |
| Erlokurutz | 1026 m | 12.8 km | 225° SW |
| Ubeltz | 1017 m | 14.3 km | 169° S |
| Herniozabal | 1011 m | 14.6 km | 166° SSE |
Weather in Zarautz in August
Avg. temp.
20.7°C
Max / min
24.3° / 17°
Precipitation
55 mm
Storm risk
High
Station ZUMAIA, 7 km away · Period 1991-2020 · Source: AEMET
Historical cloud cover
P25 — clearer days
44%
Median cloud cover
98%
P75 — cloudier days
100%
Source: ERA5 (ECMWF), 10-year average at the eclipse hour.
Other eclipses seen from Zarautz
- Last annular eclipseApril 1, 1764262 years ago
- Next annular eclipseFebruary 27, 2082
Solar eclipses computed from astronomical ephemerides for the city's coordinates.
Frequently asked questions about the eclipse in Zarautz
Will the eclipse of August 12, 2026 be visible from Zarautz?
Yes, but marginally: with 99.8% obscuration, the topographic horizon from Zarautz is very close to the Sun's altitude at the end.
What time is the eclipse maximum in Zarautz?
Maximum occurs at 20:27 local time (18:27 UTC) in Zarautz.
Which direction to look to watch the eclipse from Zarautz?
Look WNW (azimuth 283°); the Sun will be 8° above the horizon at maximum from Zarautz.
Is Zarautz a good place to watch the eclipse?
Zarautz can see the eclipse with limitations (score 45/100): terrain, geometry, or climatology add risk. Consider moving to a higher-scored viewpoint.
Do I need special glasses to watch the eclipse?
Yes, you need ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses during every partial phase. Regular sunglasses do NOT protect. Glasses can only be removed during the totality phase (when the Sun is fully covered); never during annular or partial eclipses. Pages flagged "visible" assume a clear horizon, not a viewing recommendation.
Nearby cities
All cities in Basque Country →Where to stay in Zarautz
For the August 12 eclipse. Recommended stay: Aug 10–14, 2026.
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