Rivermouth · Odeceixe, Costa Vicentina · 37°26′N 8°48′W
Odeceixe
Where the Seixe river meets the sea on the Alentejo-Algarve border. A sheltered river-mouth bank suits beginners at low tide; the open sea side is a heavier, exposed beach break.
Odeceixe beach is set in a valley where the Seixe river opens to the Atlantic, with a big sweep of sand split by the river. It is one of the prettier beaches on the southwest coast and has two distinct sides.
The wave
At low tide the river bank on the inside gives a gentle, protected wave that schools use for lessons. The open sea side is a proper exposed west-coast beach break with power and current, for intermediates and up.
When
NW to W swell, E or NE wind. Low tide for the beginner side. It is quieter and warmer in late spring and summer; in winter it is cold, powerful and often empty.
Schools & rentals near here
Nearby
Zambujeira do Mar
A cliff-top village with a beach below the church and more peaks a walk in either direction. Remote, cold and lightly surfed, with exposed beach breaks that reward local knowledge.
IntermediatesSpring and autumn; winter big and cold
Monte Clérigo
A north-west-facing beach below a small hamlet near Aljezur, with sand to the north, rocks to the south and a stream that shapes the banks. Few surfers even on good days, and wind is the main thing to watch.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
Arrifana
A cliff-ringed bay near Aljezur, partly protected by a headland and an offshore rock stack. That shelter makes it one of the more forgiving spots on an otherwise heavy stretch of the west coast.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; workable much of the yearCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Odeceixe?
- Odeceixe is a rivermouth. It wants NW to W; exposed on the sea side, filtered near the river swell and works best with offshore from the e / ne wind.
- Is Odeceixe good for beginners?
- Yes — it's rated beginners and works for people who are learning.
- When's the best time for Odeceixe?
- Spring to autumn for the calmest river-mouth conditions.
- What should I watch out for at Odeceixe?
- River current on the push, cold water, rocks on the north side, and no lifeguard outside summer.