Cabrera de Mar
- Bodyboard, Beginners
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Cabrera de Mar is a compact, Mediterranean beach-break area on the Maresme coast north of Barcelona, with waves that are described as exposed, powerful, and best known for short right-and-left rides over shifting sandbars. Multiple sources describe the surf as workable across the year, with good wave quality and an all-tides pattern, including the ability to handle larger swell before closing out (around the 2.5 m range in one report). Wind sports focus on the same sandy beach, where conditions are described as choppy-to-small-wave and can favor specific wind directions. For surfing, northwest winds are repeatedly linked to clean/offshore wave conditions, while east winds are repeatedly flagged as worse—associated with stronger shore break and stronger currents. For windsurfing and kitesurfing, spring/summer thermal afternoon conditions are emphasized, with a Garbí sea-breeze cycle (mid-afternoon) cited as a key driver for reliability. Access is a major advantage: the spot is described as directly in front of the Vilassar–Cabrera train station, making it extremely convenient for day trips from Barcelona. That same convenience also contributes to heavier crowds, and localism is noted as a potential factor. Plan for busy conditions on good surf/wave days and treat the lineup with caution due to rocks and reported currents. For gear and seasonal planning, a spring wetsuit is described as sufficient for surf conditions, with optional boots mentioned in one source; winter planning shifts toward thicker protection. For kitesurfing specifically, there are reported summer seasonal restrictions (June to September), including a ban/limitations to designated channels, plus designated swimming zones—so always confirm local compliance before launching.
- Exposed sandy beach break with short, powerful peaks and good wave quality
- Northwest winds reported to suit clean/offshore surf conditions
- Afternoon Garbí thermal wind window (April to September)
- Direct train-station proximity for easy access—also increases crowding
- Reliable sandbar-driven beach break with short, punchy, powerful waves
- Northwest winds reported as offshore/clean for surf conditions
- Afternoon thermal wind window in spring and summer supports wind sports
- Very high convenience due to train-station proximity
- Exposed conditions with notable currents and stronger shore break in east winds
- Rocks in/near the lineup
- Crowds can become heavy, especially when surf is up
- Seasonal kitesurfing restrictions (summer channel/ban) may limit access
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW, W, NW, NNE, NE, E
- Offshore directions
- NW
- No-go directions
- E
- Wind Range
- 12–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Thermal wind described as Garbí sea breeze; also fronts can bring east winds.
- Reliability
- medium-high for summer thermals
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gust factor reported as light-gusts (kitesurf context).
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Wave size varies by source: small-to-medium to medium wave; swell can start working below 1 m and hold up to 2.5 m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Choppy-to-small-wave conditions described for wind sports; surf sources emphasize shifting sandbars and short peaks.
- Launch
- Medium — Medium sandy beach near the train station.
Through the year
High crowds in summer and during any significant autumn/winter swell; weekend crowding can be ultra crowded on good surf days.
Autumn (October and November) often sees heavy rainfall and the strongest Levante storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Local kitesurf spot with choppy-to-small-wave conditions; described as favoring northwest wind on this coast section, and a separate wind database lists best wind direction as SW. Afternoon thermal winds are described as a key factor.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Works with thermal winds and also with stronger winter east/front conditions, though described as less dominant than kitesurfing.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Deepening water and consistent thermal wind are described as suitable for foiling; shore break can make launching challenging for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly reported as yes.
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed beach break with right and left waves; short, powerful peaks over shifting sandbars; can work through the year.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- E, ESE, SE, SSE, S
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Surf reported as workable at all stages of the tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach break; no shelter from cross-shore breezes reported for surf conditions.
- Wind Effect
- Northwest winds are reported to provide clean/offshore conditions; cross-shore breezes are said to have little shelter effect.
- Bigger Swell
- Can handle up to about 2.5 m+ before closing out.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality reported as good.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Wave power reported as powerful.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Wave shape described as mixed/peeling in different reports.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Peel speed reported as medium.
- Ride Length
- Short — Normal and good-day ride length described as short (< 50 m); also stated as 30–50 m typical.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–50 m
- Ride Length Details
- Fast, punchy rides usually under 50 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Cabrera de Mar in the full forecast view.
Cabrera de Mar wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–6 ktsGusts 13 kts
- Direction
- SSW195°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 246 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 13–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Cabrera de Mar is forecast for daytime winds of 1–6 kts, peaking around 6 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 13 kts. The prevailing direction is SSW. Waves run 0.1–0.7 m with a period of about 3s. 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
- Currents
- Stronger shore break with east winds
- Heavy crowds
- Localism
- Proximity to the railway line
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard services reported for June to September (regionally).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability reported as limited; a spot source also states 'no' for rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital reported as Hospital de Mataró (about 10 minutes by car).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is reported as a hazard; one source characterizes localism as mild while another as localism/moderate.
Rules of the spot
Use designated local rules where applicable (including seasonal restrictions for kitesurfing channels/zones).
- Summer kite ban or kitesurfing limited/prohibited to designated channels (June to September).
- Designated swimming zones.
- Take care of rocks in the lineup.
- Expect stronger shore break and currents with east winds.
- The surf peak is often right in front of the station, so plan for crowd management.
- Thermal wind is most consistent when the sky is clear and the temperature gradient is high.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Barcelona
- Nearest Town
- Cabrera de Mar
- Parking
- Parking available nearby, but can be very difficult during summer and on good surf days.
- Public Transport
- Excellent access via the R1 Rodalies train line running parallel to the coast and stopping at major beach towns.
- Access
- Access reported from the Barcelona side along the Maresme coast; the kitesurf area is located between Mataró and Vilassar de Mar and the surf spot is noted near Vilassar-Cabrera station; also described as extremely accessible via the R1 Renfe train line with the station at the beach.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Catalan
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various apartments and small hotels in Vilassar de Mar and Cabrera de Mar.
- Food & Drink
- Chiringuitos (beach bars) and restaurants within walking distance along the promenade.
- Equipment Rental:
- No permanent rental centers directly on this specific beach stretch; equipment rental described as available via local clubs/schools (regional).
- Gear Storage
- Offered by local nautical clubs for members and often available for short-term visitors at schools (regional).
- Gear Repair
- Specialized sail and kite repair services available in nearby Mataró and Badalona (regional).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Long stretches of golden sand with clean waters and well-maintained seaside promenades.
Long stretch of beach-oriented coastal towns with easy access from Barcelona.
Regional architecture linked to the historic development of the coastal towns and summer residences.
An archaeological site in nearby Mataró showcasing preserved Roman mosaics and structures.
A coastal mountain range offering extensive hiking and mountain biking trails with sea views.
Mountain-backed coastal terrain supports hiking and cycling excursions near the sea.
A hub of Mediterranean restaurants specializing in fresh seafood and local Catalan dishes.
The town center has a cluster of independent bars and restaurants serving visitors and locals.
A large water park with numerous slides and pools, located in Vilassar de Dalt.
Family-friendly coastal leisure is a core regional activity.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Cabrera de Mar?
The best overall months at Cabrera de Mar are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Cabrera de Mar?
Cabrera de Mar works with SW, W, NW, NNE, NE, E winds. Offshore directions are NW. No-go directions are E.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Cabrera de Mar?
Recommended equipment sizes at Cabrera de Mar: Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–20 kts.
What skill level is Cabrera de Mar suitable for?
Cabrera de Mar suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.