Costa Nova

Description of Costa Nova (Portugal)

Costa Nova is a sick wave spot that definitely deserves a place on your Portugal kitesurfing hit list. It’s in the Aveiro district, right along the central coastline, and it gets a solid mix of Atlantic swell and northerly winds, which gives it a consistent setup for down-the-line wave riding and some fun freeride sessions when the wind gets lighter. The area has this cool blend of chill beach town vibes and consistent wind days—especially during spring and autumn. In spring, you’ve got those clean NW winds driving through with decent regularity. April’s usually when the sessions really start to light up, and October’s another great month when the crowds fade out and the conditions are still going strong.

Winds tend to blow from the north to northwest, although you can get the odd SE system pushing through. Wind speeds are usually in the range of 5 to 13 knots, and while 13 knots won’t set the world on fire, paired with a bigger kite and some good power management, you’re golden. Bring your 12m or even 14m if you’re around during summer when the breeze softens up. The beach setup is super rider-friendly. It’s a wide, flat sandy beach with tons of space to launch and land, even when more people show up on sunny weekends. Plus, the beach drops into a shallow sand bottom near the shore which makes learning and transitions a bit easier—not so gnarly if you auger in.

It’s definitely more of a wave spot than anything else, so freestyle heads might find it can be a bit choppy and unpredictable for proper pop. Still, you’ll find kickers galore if you’re into boosting. Hydrofoil riders, you’ll appreciate the clean open water and longer tacks; just time your tides and stay out of any swimmer zones. The break itself works best on mid to high tide, with a left-leaning side-offshore wind making it rake nicely down the line. Swell is decently consistent compared to the rest of central Portugal, with long-period Atlantic pulses that can get shoulder-high on good days.

Crowds are variable—weekdays are mellow, but on weekends and holidays you’ll see more locals and Lisbon folk rolling down. The peak of summer sees more loungers and swimmers than riders, and the wind tends to drop off then anyway, but the shoulder seasons are packed with solid sessions and manageable lineups. Gear-wise, bring everything—you can get lucky with 9m wind, but most of the time you’ll be reaching for your big kite. A 4/3 wetsuit should be the go-to most of the year. Water stays on the cooler side, especially outside mid-summer. Booties or thin reef shoes aren’t a must, but they help with the occasional sharp shell or pebbly bits.

The vibe in town is super chill—those famous striped Costa Nova fisherman houses give it a postcard look, and there's a good mix of seafood joints and beach bars to recharge after your ride. You’ve got nearby Aveiro for a bit more happening nightlife, plus gear shops and a few kitesurfing schools if you need a lesson or rental. All in all, it’s a super solid destination for intermediate riders looking to work on their wave game or just escape the ultracrowded Algarve circuits.