Rivermouth · Figueira da Foz, Centro · 40°08′N 8°52′W
Cabedelo
A long, powerful left that breaks off the training wall at the mouth of the Mondego river in Figueira da Foz. On the right sandbank it is one of the best lefts in the country and has held WSL and national events.
Cabedelo breaks along the southern training wall at the mouth of the Mondego, on the south side of Figueira da Foz. When the sand is right it is a long, fast, powerful left that peels away from the jetty, and it has a serious reputation and a competition history to match.
The wave
A wall rather than a barrel most of the time, but a heavy one, and it gets better as the swell gets bigger. The jetty focuses the sand and the swell, so a good bank there produces rides far longer than a normal beach break. A poor bank produces closeouts.
Who it is for
Advanced surfers. The currents by the wall are strong, the wave has power, and the local crew is good and knows the shifting banks better than any visitor will.
When
NW to W swell, E or NE wind. It handles size well and is at its best in the autumn and winter. The rest of Buarcos bay to the north has gentler beach break for lower levels.
Schools & rentals near here
Dude Surf School
A surf school on Praia do Cabedelo in Figueira da Foz, with Portuguese Surf Federation coaches and a maximum of five students per instructor.
Surf
Surfing Figueira
A surf school and shop on Praia do Cabedelo in Figueira da Foz, open year-round, with drop-in, private and group lessons and rental of boards, SUPs and wetsuits.
SurfNearby
Buarcos
The sheltered north end of Figueira da Foz bay, in the fishing quarter of Buarcos, tucked under the Cabo Mondego headland. Gentler and far more forgiving than the powerful Cabedelo left at the river end of the same bay.
All levelsAutumn to spring; a dependable option when Cabedelo is too big
Praia da Tocha
A long, quiet beach break on the coast between Figueira da Foz and Praia de Mira. Friendly peaks when the swell is small, rarely crowded, and the wind decides everything.
All levelsYear-round, winter often bestCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Cabedelo?
- Cabedelo is a rivermouth. It wants NW to W; improves as it gets bigger swell and works best with offshore from the e / ne wind.
- Is Cabedelo good for beginners?
- No — it's rated advanced surfers and is for experienced surfers only.
- When's the best time for Cabedelo?
- Autumn to spring.
- What should I watch out for at Cabedelo?
- Strong river-mouth and longshore currents by the jetty, a powerful wall that can close out on the wrong sand, and a competitive local crew on a good day.