Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Cabedelo is presented as a jetty-driven right-hand wave on a sandy setup, with rocks and jetty-related hazards near the break. Typical surfing performance is described as good to excellent, with medium wave size but strong, fast sections when swell and wind align. Mid tide is generally preferred, though the wave can work as tides rise and fall.
- Right-hand surf breaking from the south jetty
- Normal ride lengths around 50 to 150 m (exceptionally longer on bigger sets)
- Mid-tide preference reported
- Summer Nortada wind conditions support kite/wind/foil activity
- Long, right-hand surf spot with jetty-generated performance
- Wide sandy launch area and easy access to the beach
- Good to excellent wave quality when conditions line up
- Rocks near the jetty and strong currents increase risk when paddling out
- Rip currents are reported
- Can be crowded on weekends
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Nortada / North–Northwest wind reinforced by strong summer thermal effects.
- Reliability
- Reliable during summer months
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Long sandy setup with jetty-generated breaking areas.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Swell described as starting to work around 1.0 m to 1.5 m and holding up to 2 m+.
- Launch
- Big — Wide sandy beach with ample space for preparing gear; jetty-generated breaking areas provide options across the lineup.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Reported as moderate overall; described as easy for wide sandy access in some conditions.
Through the year
Peak crowds in July and August; quieter but more dedicated surfing crowd in winter
November through March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Popular on the beach south of the jetty; pier/jetty influence can provide flatter water or small chop near rocks, with waves breaking further down the beach.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Excellent wave sailing and freeride conditions, with the north side-shore wind ideal for riding swells wrapping around the jetty.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Suitable especially in flatter sections near the jetty; walk to deeper water is required to clear the shore break.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Reported as foil friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A right-hand point-break/jetty-break feel breaking near the south jetty, known for long, peeling walls.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NNE
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide (also described as rising and falling tides working).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Break tied to the jetty; hazards and shore break increase with bigger swells.
- Wind Effect
- Nortada can improve conditions for other wind sports; for surfing, wind direction alignment and lineup position matter near the jetty/rocks.
- Bigger Swell
- On exceptional swells it can offer very long rides; heavy shore break may develop during big-swell conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Described as good to excellent, with consistently rideable waves when swell/wind align.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Fast, powerful, fun.
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Jetty-generated fast, hollow-feeling waves on good days.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Reported as fast; other notes describe medium-to-fast peeling sections.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical normal-length rides around 50 to 150 m; exceptional sets can extend to ~200 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported normal lengths of roughly 50 to 150 m, with longer connecting sections possible; exceptional waves can reach 200 m or more.
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) in the full forecast view.
Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–8 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NNW346°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 248 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.4 m11s period
- Temperature
- 9–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–8 kts, peaking around 8 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.9–3.4 m with a period of about 11s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks near the jetty
- Rip currents
- Strong currents along the south jetty
- Crowds in the lineup
- Heavy shore break during big swells
- Submerged boulders near the breakwater
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal services operate June to September.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Seasonal lifeguards plus maritime police monitoring the port/river mouth.
- Emergency Info
- Hospital Distrital da Figueira da Foz is the nearest medical facility.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing and nautical right-of-way rules apply; designated areas for swimming vs. sports may be enforced during peak summer.
- Summer swim zones
- The current can pull you toward the rocks, so stay alert when paddling out.
- Early morning often has the best wind conditions for surfing before the Nortada picks up.
- Stay aware of rock/jetty hazards when positioned near the break.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coimbra
- Nearest Town
- Figueira da Foz
- Parking
- Large parking areas available right next to the beach dunes.
- Access
- Accessible by car with easy beach access via the Cabedelo area (also described as via the south side of the river mouth).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various guesthouses and hotels in Figueira da Foz; camping options near the Cabedelo area.
- Food & Drink
- Several beach bars and restaurants located directly on the dunes.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at local surf and kite shops in the Cabedelo area; also described as available via schools/shops clustered around Cabedelo.
- Gear Storage
- Offered by some local surf schools.
- Gear Repair
- Repair services for boards and kites available in town.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Figueira da Foz area blends coastal viewpoints, estuary heritage, and a lively resort core with dining and evening options that support riders who want both watersports and classic beach-town activities.
Protected coastal landmark with notable geological and palaeontological value near the north side of the city.
Hilly coastal landscape with viewpoints and walking routes overlooking the Atlantic and the Mondego mouth.
One of the oldest and most traditional casinos on the Iberian Peninsula, offering gaming and live shows.
A noted cultural stop in the city center area.
Historic palace listed among the city’s main attractions.
Open-air museum detailing traditional salt-harvesting heritage of the Mondego estuary.
Coastal walking and viewpoint access in the protected upland above the resort.
Broad seaside and river-mouth recreation alongside wind sports.
Forested mountain range offering hiking, mountain-biking trails, and panoramic viewpoints over the Atlantic.
Central district known for diverse seafood restaurants, traditional Portuguese tascas, and nightlife.
Known for seafood and fresh fish.
Traditional local restaurant known for clams.
Seafood-focused restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere.
Restaurant noted for fish stew.
Urban green space suitable for relaxed outings.
Local food-market experience in the city.
Expansive paved waterfront walkway ideal for cycling, skating, and family walks.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz)?
The best overall months at Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz)?
Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) works with N, NNW, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) suitable for?
Cabedelo (Figueira da Foz) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.