Praia do Cabedelo is northern Portugal's consistent alternative—a quality beach break in Viana do Castelo that receives the same Atlantic swells as the famous Peniche zone but attracts far fewer crowds. The wave works across a range of conditions, with sandbars that produce both lefts and rights depending on the banks. The river mouth influence creates interesting sandbar formations but also means debris after heavy rains. For surfers seeking the Portuguese experience without the tourist crowds, Cabedelo rewards the drive north with quality waves and authentic local culture.
Water temp
15°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: Easy beach access.
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Apr, Sep
Consistent winter swells. Can be good in summer too.
Verified by Surf-Forecast
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions