Figueira da Foz
Figueira da Foz - Portugal
Spot Type
Wave
Water
Seaweeds
Beach
Sand
Rider Lever
intermediate
Spot characteristics
Spot Type
Wave
Rider Skill
intermediate
Crowd
Seasonal Crowd
Beach Type
Sand
Water Quality
Seaweeds
Tide Influence
All tide levels with different conditions (chop - flat - wave)
Description of Figueira da Foz (Portugal)
Figueira da Foz sits midway along Portugal’s rugged Silver Coast and has built a solid reputation among seasoned European kiters for its consistent afternoon winds and expansive beach setup. I’ve been riding here for a few seasons now, usually posting up between late May and October when the famous Nortada shows up like clockwork almost every afternoon. This thermal Northwest wind gets funneled down the coast, creating super reliable kiting conditions nearly every day during high summer. We're talking 15 to 25 knots most days – not nuking, but definitely enough power to throw loops, chase down some waves, or just cruise.
The setup here is what makes Figueira such a solid choice for intermediate and up riders. We're not dealing with lagoons or flatwater meadows – expect big stretches of sandy beach with choppy to wavy ocean on tap. Swells are usually mid-sized but quite surfable, and the choppiness means you can mix up your session with some freestyle pops between wave sets. The wind builds gradually through the day, often peaking mid-afternoon. That gives you the morning time to tune gear or chill before hitting the water energized.
There’s tons of space to launch and land safely. Wide open beach, no major obstacles, and because it's such a kite-friendly town, the local vibe is cool and not overly territorial. That said, July and August get busier, especially with local tourists, so heads-up on keeping it safe for everyone sharing the area. Never had a problem, but situational awareness is key during peak weekends.Gear-wise, most locals ride 7m to 12m kites depending on the day and body weight. I usually bring a surfboard and a twin-tip so I can switch up styles depending on the water state. The waves are punchy but forgiving – nice for beginner wave riders looking to level up. Freestyle and freeride are totally doable here, though the choppy surface makes it a bit harder to land super technical wakestyle stuff unless you're really dialed in.
One bit of advice: bring a decent 5/3 wetsuit. Even during mid-summer, the Atlantic doesn’t really warm up like the Med. Water temps hover between 17 and 23°C. Some guys go out with shorties on the hot days, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re fine with low temps or just doing quick sessions.Downwinders aren’t really a thing here – the coastline and beach access make it tricky to retrieve. So it’s all about sessioning one main zone and making the most of those long, glassy cross-on winds. You're riding open ocean, so wave location shifts with tide and swell, and the sandbanks here structure the breaks pretty nicely, letting you find shoulders and cleaner faces down the line.
The nearby city center is only minutes from the beach, and there’s always something going on. Post-session beers and grilled sardines at a beach shack as the sun drops? 100% yes. Figueira blends the beach town vibe with real Portuguese culture, something that keeps drawing me back season after season. And for a chill kite trip away from the big resort circus, I’d pick this place every time.
Spot best suited for
Spot profile
Travel spot
The typical kite travel destination, it is known for its great conditions, and kiters from around the world come here for their vacations.
Family spot
Located in an area that offers amenities for all the family and can provide good alternatives for everyone when the kiters are in the water.
Equipment
A 5/3mm full wetsuit is pretty much standard throughout the season—it keeps your sessions warm without bulk, especially since Atlantic water temps rarely get much above 22°C. Early and late season sessions might warrant boots, but most of the summer you can ride bare feet or with soft reef booties.
Wind Conditions
Main wind directions
% of Windy days per month
Wind Speed Range
From 15 to 25 Knots
Suggested sizes
8 - 9 mt
10 - 11 mt
12 - 13 mt
Forecast on Windy.com
Dangers
Figueira da Foz is overall a friendly wave spot but definitely not without its quirks, especially when the swell and crowd line up. The biggest challenge for less experienced kiters is the water state—expect medium-sized Atlantic waves breaking over shallow sandy bottom, which can knock you off balance pretty fast if you're still figuring out your transitions.
On windier days, the chop builds up significantly in the first 50-100 meters from shore, making relaunching more difficult if you're not quick with technique. While there aren’t ripping currents at the main launch zone, tides and wind/swell interactions occasionally set up longshore drifts, so keep an eye on where you’re drifting during your session—especially near the rocks at either end of the main beach.
One thing to be aware of in mid-summer is the influx of beachgoers. The beach is big, but sections fill up mid-day with sun-loungers and swimmers. Launching isn’t tricky, but definitely give yourself enough working room and always stay clear of the swimming zones.
There are no dedicated kite schools with rescue services in-water, so be self-reliant and make sure you're launching, landing, and riding in control. On big swell days, keep an eye on the wave breaks; they shift a bit with tides and can deliver some meaty sets out of nowhere. Check conditions locally every session—forecast apps will give you ballparks, but nothing beats a beachwalk before rigging up.As per local guidance, there are no supported or recommended downwinders due to the fixed-use zones for swimmers and sunbathers further downcoast. It's best to session within the central sport zone and avoid wandering beyond the barriers or flagged areas.
And don’t forget: respect is key—locals are welcoming as long as you're not being reckless around non-kiters or hogging beach launch space.
Location
Closest City
Figueira da Foz
How to get There
Getting to Figueira da Foz is super straightforward. From Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro airport it's around a 1.5 to 2-hour drive south via the A17. From Lisbon, it’s slightly longer, about 2 to 2.5 hours north. Either way, renting a car gives you max flexibility to hit the spot daily and explore other beaches or sights around. You can also reach the town by bus or train from Coimbra, Lisbon, or Porto, but if you're hauling gear, driving is way easier. Parking close to the beach is generally not an issue.
Access
Access to the spot is open and straightforward. There’s no gate, fee, or permit required to kite here. You just park near the beach and walk a short way to the rigging area on the sand. Even in peak summer, you can usually find parking within a few blocks. The beach is public and wide, with no private zones or restricted sections for kiters, though it pays to launch from the sport-designated areas
What to do besides kitesurfing
What I really like about Figueira da Foz is how well it suits not just hardcore kiters, but also friends, partners, and families tagging along for the trip.
The town itself is buzzing in summer, yet still keeps enough authenticity to escape the totally touristic trap. You’ve got wide, clean beaches stretching endlessly—that’s one of the things that makes this spot so accessible and stress-free to session. Even when it’s busy, there’s still space to pump, chill, and ride without the kite-tangle circus you get at narrower beaches.In between sessions, you’re within walking distance of restaurants, chilled cafés, and plenty of good Portuguese eats. Seafood is king in this town—post-session snacks usually turn into epic dinner missions along the boardwalk or tucked into small local joints in the town center.
Head up into the old town for an espresso and pastel de nata in back-alley bakeries, or hit the market early if you're self-catering.There’s actually a pretty wide spread of accommodation types right near the beach—everything from hotels with sea views to cheap, clean apartments that are totally kite trip-ready. I’ve stayed close to the break and was in the water within 10 minutes of walking out the door.
For entertainment, you’ve got an easy-going casino scene, an open-air cinema sometimes during festivals, and even live concerts during the summer. It’s definitely more than just a kite-and-sleep destination.Rest days and non-windy afternoons aren’t wasted either. Serra da Boa Viagem right outside town is an awesome hilltop reserve with panoramic ocean lookout trails. If you’ve got a car, Coimbra is only about 40 minutes inland for a cool cultural day trip, especially worth it for checking out the historic university and riverfront.
Wine regions are also close, and honestly, tasting Douro wines after a few sessions is never the wrong move.Figueira is also a great intro to Portuguese beach life if it’s your first time in the country. The vibe here is open and relaxed, with just the right amount of buzz. Everyone seems tuned into the ocean—locals surf, fish, and hang out on the breakwall long into the evening. If you’re traveling with non-kiters, no worries—they won’t be bored.
For riders, the combo of solid wind, ridable surf, and chill logistics make this a spot I keep recommending to anyone planning a summer Euro kite mission.