Buarcos

Buarcos is the old fishing quarter at the northern end of Figueira da Foz's long bay, where the seafront curves round toward the Cabo Mondego headland. That headland is the point: it blocks the north wind and knocks down the biggest swell, so while Cabedelo is maxing out at the river end, Buarcos is often a clean, manageable size.

The wave

Beach-break peaks along the sand and around the groynes, rights and lefts, generally soft and rolling rather than powerful. It suits beginners and improvers, and it is a favourite of longboarders on a small, clean day. On a bigger swell it holds a proper wall for intermediates without the crowd or consequence of Cabedelo.

When

NW to W swell, E wind, mid tide. Autumn to spring brings the most consistent surf. It is the obvious call in Figueira whenever the exposed breaks are too big or the wind has gone north.