Figueira da Foz
Centro
The middle of the coast, from Praia de Mira through Figueira da Foz to São Pedro de Moel. Figueira's Cabedelo is a long, powerful left that has held WSL events; the rest is open beach break backed by dunes and pine forest. Quieter than the Silver Coast just south. Coverage here is light for now.
Towns
Figueira da Foz
Home of Cabedelo, a long powerful left off the river jetty that has held WSL events, plus wide beach break along Buarcos bay.
Surf
São Pedro de Moel
A small resort tucked in the pine forest of Marinha Grande, with a sheltered cove beach and reefs on either side.
Surf
Barra
The beach where the Ria de Aveiro meets the Atlantic, by the long breakwater at the port entrance and the Barra lighthouse.
Surf
Praia de Mira
A long, straight, dune-backed beach between Aveiro and Figueira, exposed and uncrowded, shifting peaks along its length.
SurfSpots here
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
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.
Advanced surfersAutumn to springPraia da Barra
The beach where the Ria de Aveiro meets the Atlantic, organised by a 500-metre breakwater at the port entrance. Quality banks on a west swell, and it can hold clean in a light north wind when the neighbours are blown out.
IntermediatesWinterPraia de Mira
The beach of a quiet resort village on the long sandy coast south of Aveiro, with friendly banks that suit learners. Rarely crowded, but very exposed to the wind.
BeginnersYear-round for learning; winter for clean daysSão Pedro de Moel
The best-known wave on the near-empty 80 km of coast between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré, below a small seaside village. Very consistent, working on almost any swell and tide.
IntermediatesYear-round; very consistentSpots at a glance
| Spots | Break | Suits | Best season | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buarcos | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring; a dependable option when Cabedelo is too big | Figueira da Foz |
| Praia de Mira | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round for learning; winter for clean days | Praia de Mira |
| Praia da Barra | Beach break | Intermediates | Winter | Barra |
| São Pedro de Moel | Beach break | Intermediates | Year-round; very consistent | São Pedro de Moel |
| Cabedelo | Rivermouth | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring | Figueira da Foz |
Schools & rentals 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.
SurfMurillo's Surf & Bodyboard Academy
A surf and bodyboard school in São Pedro de Moel since 2006, certified by the Portuguese Surf Federation, teaching daily and moving to Peniche or Figueira da Foz when the home beach is too wild.
SurfSurfing 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.
SurfEvents here
Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.
Common questions
- Where do you surf on the Centro coast?
- Figueira da Foz is the hub: Cabedelo is a long, powerful left off the river jetty that has held WSL events, and Buarcos at the north end of the bay is gentler and sheltered. The rest is open beach break backed by dunes.
- Is it good for learning?
- Buarcos and São Pedro de Moel are the gentler options and have schools. Cabedelo is powerful and better left to intermediates and up.