Matosinhos
Porto's beach: sheltered by Leixões harbour and full of surf schools.
Matosinhos is south of Leixões harbour, whose breakwater shelters it from northerly swell. That's why the waves are smaller and softer than on the rest of the coast, ideal for learning, and it's one of the beaches with the most surf schools in Europe.
In big swell, a right that peels nicely, with the odd inside barrel, appears by the rocks on the left side.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | NW, W, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
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
A minimalibu or funboard for learning; a shortboard on big days. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Matosinhos
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 AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
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
A surf-school vibe and very open. Respect the lesson areas.
Surfing style
Soft waves for learning.
Hazards
Currents, buoys, urchins on the rocks and water quality after rain.
Map
Other spots nearby
Matosinhos
The beaches north of Leixões harbour, more exposed and powerful than Matosinhos.
Espinho
Peaks by the Espinho groynes, one of the hubs of Portuguese bodyboarding.
Póvoa de Varzim
A rock-bottom left in town, very popular with bodyboarders.
Ovar
Peaks for every level and almost never crowded, south of Espinho.
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.