Matosinhos

This gently shelving beach to the south of the harbour-wall is a top spot in cross-onshore southerly wind, despite poor water quality. The waves are generally mid-sized, unless the wind veers south-westerly with a passing storm low when they get bigger (typically Force 5-7 onshore conditions, although rainy weather can make it unpleasant). The waves are best in 2m swell or more at mid to low tide, as the shorebreak gets worse towards high water. The Nortada only blows light and gusty – but kiting's banned in summer anyway, and windsurfers rarely visit.