San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay)
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) is an exposed sandy beach break on the Foz Coast in Galicia. Surf is described as fairly consistent overall, but performance depends strongly on swell direction: west swells do not reach this break, so north-influenced swells (particularly from N to NW) are required for the best wave selection. When conditions align, the beach can produce fast, quality barrels and challenging waves. Multiple sources describe the break as exposed/less sheltered than fully protected bays, yet still somewhat more sheltered than other open-coast options on the Galician shoreline. Depending on tide and swell, wave shape can vary (peeling/mixed), and rides can range from short, fun peaks to longer sections of breaking water when the setup allows. Wind is most favorable in the autumn to early winter window (October through January), with a typical range reported around 10 to 25 knots and generally light gustiness. Providers also highlight NW winds as preferred for surfing conditions, while South or Southwest winds can produce cleaner offshore conditions. Safety considerations center on challenging surf and water movement: moderate rip currents can form depending on swell size and tide state, and seasonal swimming zones may apply. Rescue availability is limited, and lifeguards are typically seasonal, so you should plan accordingly—particularly outside the summer period when medical and rescue support may be further away.
- Best surfing is tied to north-to-NW swells (west swells don’t reach the break).
- Autumn and winter provide the most consistent swell for surfing.
- Wide sandy beach with amenities and generally easy access/parking.
- Broad sandy beach with space for launch/landing.
- Generally consistent surf when the right swell arrives; can offer fast, quality barrels.
- Good beginner/intermediate potential compared with more exposed open-coast options, with semi-sheltered characteristics reported.
- Amenities including showers, toilets, parking, and food/drink options in the area.
- Surf can be challenging, especially with bigger conditions.
- Moderate rip currents can form depending on swell size and tide state.
- West swells typically don’t reach the break—requires north-influenced swell direction for best results.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE, NW
- Offshore directions
- N, NE, NW
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Provider notes describe frontal influence on the wind profile for this spot.
- Reliability
- average
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Reported as light gusts.
- Best Months
- October, November, December, January
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs or buildings do not significantly obstruct the beach area.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Providers also describe the surf as small to medium depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Big — Spacious sandy beach with plenty of room to launch and land safely.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Easy launch conditions reported due to wide sandy space.
Through the year
Quiet in winter; becomes more popular with tourists in July and August.
Rainy weather is frequent from October through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible as an off-season option when crowds are minimal, though the spot is primarily known as a surfing location.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Suitable when the swell is small and wind is sufficient; sandy bottom supports safer learning conditions.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Reported as foil friendly.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 5–6 m²
An exposed sandy beach break in Galicia with generally consistent surf when the right swell arrives. Waves can produce fast, quality barrels and challenging conditions when swell and wind align.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- N, NNE, NW
- Swell Height
- 0.5–1.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Reported as best with a mid tide.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Described as more sheltered than other open-coast options on the Galician coast, though still exposed relative to fully sheltered bays.
- Wind Effect
- NW wind preferred; South or Southwest winds provide cleaner offshore conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out when the swell exceeds 2 meters.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Wave quality described as good by one provider; average by another.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Peeling — Also described as mixed depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Fast peaks that offer short but fun rides; also described as up to ~100 meters when conditions align.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–60 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides are fast and short; sources also describe rides breaking over a large section of beach and reaching up to ~100 meters in some setups.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) in the full forecast view.
San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–15 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- SW216°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–2.7 m11s period
- Temperature
- 11–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.5–2.7 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
- challenging waves
- currents (moderate rip currents can form depending on swell size and tide state)
- seasonal swimming zones
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguard services are typically active during summer; outside that period, rely on local emergency services and maritime rescue.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited at the spot level.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are located in Foz.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers and follow standard right-of-way rules in the lineup.
- seasonal-swimming-zones
- West swells typically do not reach this break—look for north-influenced swells (N to NW).
- Check the tide because wave shape changes significantly between low and high water.
- The beach can become more challenging as surf builds; match skill and conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Foz
- Nearest Town
- Barreiros
- Parking
- Dedicated parking areas are available directly behind the beach.
- Public Transport
- Access is primarily by car via the A-8 highway; limited regional train (FEVE) and bus services connect Foz to neighboring towns.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Spanish, Galician
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Several apartments and small hotels in Barreiros and Foz; accommodation options are nearby by car.
- Food & Drink
- Beach bars (chiringuitos) are active during the summer months.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental gear is available in the nearby town of Foz; kitesurfing and wingfoiling rental may require prior arrangement.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage is available through local schools; many riders store gear in personal vehicles or local accommodation.
- Gear Repair
- Yes
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A broad estuary landscape with nearly 15 km of fine white-sand beaches and important birdlife.
Famed for its giant natural stone arches and caves, accessible only at low tide.
The estuary is presented as a water-sports-friendly setting with multiple wind- and wave-based activities.
The region has coastal paths, estuary viewpoints and woodland sections suitable for walking and hiking.
Numerous scenic paths follow the cliffs and estuaries of the Mariña Lucense.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay)?
The best overall months at San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) are October, November, December, January.
Which wind directions work at San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay)?
San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) works with N, NE, NW winds. Offshore directions are N, NE, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Wingfoiling: 5–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) suitable for?
San Miguel de Reinante Beach (Foz Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.