Cabedelo
Viana do Castelo's surf beach, at the mouth of the Lima river, also famous for kiting.
Cabedelo is on the south bank of the Lima river mouth, opposite Viana do Castelo. It's a big beach with dunes and sand peaks that work at low and mid tide.
In summer, with the nortada, it becomes one of the best kite and windsurf spots in Portugal: to surf, get up early.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | NW, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE |
| Tide | Low to mid |
| Size | 1–2.5 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish; a funboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Cabedelo
The water is around 13 °C in winter and 17 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
An open vibe, with surf and kite schools.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Currents near the river mouth and kites in the water.
Map
Shapers near Cabedelo
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Caminha
The beach of a Minho fishing town, with peaks by the harbour.
Caminha
Sandbanks facing Mount Santa Tecla, next to the mouth of the Minho.
Póvoa de Varzim
A rock-bottom left in town, very popular with bodyboarders.
Matosinhos
The beaches north of Leixões harbour, more exposed and powerful than Matosinhos.
All spots in Northern Portugal →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.