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Ovar · Northern Portugal

Cortegaça

A quiet beach by rock groynes, with quality waves.

Beach breakIntermediate

Cortegaça has sand peaks by rock groynes that work at mid to high tide. There are few people and the waves can be good quality.

The groyne rocks are close to the break.

Spot facts

Wave typeBeach break
DirectionLefts and rights
LevelIntermediate
Best swellNW, W, SW
Best wind (offshore)E, NE
TideMid to high
Size1–2 m
Best seasonAutumn to spring
CrowdLight
LocalismLow

Surf forecast

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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

ShortboardFish

A shortboard or fish. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.

What to bring to surf Cortegaça

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.

4/3 wetsuit

The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.

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5 mm booties

Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.

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Leash

Keeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.

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Twin keel fins

The classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.

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Cold-water wax

Warm-water wax won't grip in this water.

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Localism and vibe

Few people.

Surfing style

Beach break by groynes.

Hazards

Groyne rocks.

Map

Other spots nearby

Ovar

Beach breakAll levels

Peaks for every level and almost never crowded, south of Espinho.

Ovar

Beach breakAll levels

A quiet beach near Ovar, best in small to medium swell.

Espinho

Beach breakIntermediate

Peaks by the Espinho groynes, one of the hubs of Portuguese bodyboarding.

Matosinhos (Oporto)

Beach breakBeginner

Porto's beach: sheltered by Leixões harbour and full of surf schools.

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.