Foz do Lizandro
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Foz do Lizandro is a river-mouth beach break just south of Ericeira, featuring sandy bottom waves with multiple peaks. The surf setup includes a left on the south side and an a-frame/middle, and when the sand bars line up the left can develop longer, more hollow characteristics. For safety, the main limitation is the river-mouth environment: strong rip currents and strong river currents are frequent, and both hazards intensify with bigger swell and around tidal changes (especially the outgoing tide). Rocky sections at either end of the beach plus nearby reef breaks add to the risk, so riders should plan around tide, swell size, and entry/exit points. Wind conditions are a major advantage in warmer months. The local Nortada is described as building in the afternoon (with a late-afternoon peak) and can support kitesurfing, windsurfing, and growing wingfoiling use—though the shore break and currents still require experience. For kite use, typical guidance points to summer months (April through September for general wind seasonality) and a stated typical wind range. Access and comfort are generally strong for a beach spot: parking is described as good and large/free, with showers and facilities on-site plus nearby cafés and restaurants. Lifeguards are described as seasonal, and emergency access is available via nearby hospitals in Mafra/Torres Vedras (with emergency number 112).
- River-mouth beach break with multiple peaks (including lefts on the south side)
- Often fun and accessible when swell is smaller
- Reliable Nortada wind regime in spring/summer with an afternoon peak
- Good parking and beachside facilities
- Versatile river-mouth beach break with multiple peaks for fun surf across a range of conditions
- Reliable summer Nortada wind for kitesurfing/windsurfing, with a stated afternoon peak
- Good on-site amenities and access, including parking, showers, and food/drink options nearby
- Beginners can find easier surfing conditions when waves are smaller
- Rips and river-mouth currents can become strong and dangerous, especially with bigger swell or during tidal changes
- Rocks and nearby reef breaks at the ends of the beach increase hazard risk
- Weekend/summer crowding can affect lineups
- Seasonal kitesurfing restrictions apply during peak summer beach hours
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, SSE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Summer regime described as the local 'Nortada' sea-breeze/thermally reinforced wind; in summer it typically builds in the afternoon.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; sandbars can align to create longer/hollow lefts.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Works as a medium-wave beach break; starts working around smaller swell and can hold up to large sizes.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Water is described as mixed/choppy in some reports.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide beach area for setup that can become narrower near the river mouth at higher tide.
Through the year
High crowds in July and August; quieter during winter weekdays.
November to March
By sport
What to expect for each.
Described as a popular summer area for wave kiting and freeriding with consistent Nortada conditions; the river mouth currents and shorebreak can require experience.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave windsurfing when the Nortada is strong; on bigger swell days launching can be challenging.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Growing in popularity; shore break and river currents require experience and are a limiting factor.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
A river-mouth beach break with multiple peaks over a shifting sandy bottom (including a left on the south side and an a-frame/middle). Smaller swells can be fun and approachable; when sand bars line up the left can become longer and hollow.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, W
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, All tides — Often best from low to mid tide; other tide windows can still work depending on swell and river-mouth flow.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Cliffs can create shelter effects for the left at the river mouth when the wind has a southern component; otherwise it is an open river-mouth beach influenced by wind and current.
- Bigger Swell
- Bigger swell increases rip strength and can demand more experience.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described as a regional classic with good overall wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can be peeling on many days; sometimes better conditions align with sandbar layout for longer, hollow lefts.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically short to medium; can extend to longer and more hollow lefts when sand bars align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Foz do Lizandro in the full forecast view.
Foz do Lizandro wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNW345°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 12–21 °C
Over the next 7 days, Foz do Lizandro is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.9–3.0 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
- Strong and dangerous rip currents with bigger swell
- Strong river mouth currents, especially during tidal changes and outgoing tide
- Rocks at beach ends (north and south)
- Nearby reef breaks (rocky north side)
- Crowded lineups (weekends / summer)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Local lifeguards are present during summer.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital is in Mafra or Torres Vedras; emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Respect designated surfing and kitesurfing zones, especially during summer bathing hours.
- Seasonal kitesurfing restrictions during peak summer beach hours (10:00-19:00).
- Best results are typically from low to mid tide; higher tide can also work on bigger swells.
- The left at the river mouth can be sheltered by cliffs when there is a southern wind component.
- Watch the tide at the river mouth; the outgoing tide can be very strong.
- On days with more defined peaks, the northern end can offer more clearly shaped surfing lines.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Ericeira
- Nearest Town
- Foz do Lizandro
- Parking
- Large free paved parking lot directly behind the beach; free parking mentioned.
- Access
- Reached by car or on foot; from Lisbon A8 take the exit to Mafra on N116, follow signs for Ericeira, then drive south to the river mouth.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guest houses, hostels, and hotels are available in Ericeira within about 2-3 km.
- Food & Drink
- Cafés and beachfront options are available near the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is described as available at multiple beachfront surf shops.
- Gear Storage
- Yes
- Gear Repair
- Board repairs are described as available via local surf shops in Ericeira.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Foz do Lizandro?
The best overall months at Foz do Lizandro are June, July, August, September, April, May, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Foz do Lizandro?
Foz do Lizandro works with E, NE, SSE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Foz do Lizandro?
Recommended equipment sizes at Foz do Lizandro: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Foz do Lizandro suitable for?
Foz do Lizandro suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner.