Nearby Praia do Matadouro 4 km · Ribeira das Ilhas 5 km · Praia Azul 19 km · Santa Cruz 22 km · Guincho 24 km · Praia de Santa Rita 26 km · Praia de Carcavelos 30 km · Cova do Vapor 34 km · Praia da Areia Branca 37 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
Afternoon, for the summer northerly.
The wind
locals call it Nortada
Direction
Kite sizes
metres · typical quiver highlighted
Character
mixed
fills in: Afternoon, for the summer northerly.
Typical strength
10-25 knots is the published range for this stretch of coast, with a 70-85 percent chance of wind in July and August. Regional to Ericeira; no knot record exists for the beach itself.
The quiver, in words
For a 75-85 kg rider, 8-12 m covers most summer days on the nortada. The quiver quoted for this stretch of coast splits into 8-9 m for the solid afternoons, 10-11 m for the middle, and 12-13 m for the light end. Ericeira figures rather than a count taken at this river mouth.
Direction to shore
NW comes in side-on at Foz do Lizandro.
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan68
- Feb62
- Mar, riders' month73
- Apr, riders' month78
- May, riders' month76
- Jun, riders' month76
- Jul, riders' month74
- Aug, riders' month80
- Sep, riders' month54
- Oct62
- Nov64
- Dec65
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
Ringed months are the ones riders and schools name: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
- 13Jan16°
- 13Feb15°
- 14Mar15°
- 14Apr16°
- 14May16°
- 14Jun18°
- 13Jul18°
- 14Aug17°
- 13Sep18°
- 13Oct19°
- 13Nov18°
- 13Dec17°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 68% | 13.3 kt | E | 12.1°C | 15.6°C |
| Feb | 62% | 13.3 kt | ENE | 12.6°C | 15.2°C |
| Mar | 73% | 14.2 kt | W | 13.4°C | 15.1°C |
| Apr | 78% | 13.7 kt | N | 15°C | 16.2°C |
| May | 76% | 14.1 kt | N | 16.9°C | 16.4°C |
| Jun | 76% | 13.7 kt | N | 18.5°C | 18.2°C |
| Jul | 74% | 13.1 kt | N | 19.8°C | 18.1°C |
| Aug | 80% | 13.7 kt | N | 20°C | 17.2°C |
| Sep | 54% | 12.6 kt | N | 19.3°C | 17.6°C |
| Oct | 62% | 13.4 kt | N | 18.5°C | 19.2°C |
| Nov | 64% | 12.7 kt | ESE | 15.7°C | 18.1°C |
| Dec | 65% | 13.1 kt | E | 13.1°C | 16.5°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
ocean
Standing depth
Not a standing-depth spot. The ocean side shelves away through the shorebreak and there is no shallow bank to walk out on. The only shallow water is in the small lagoons the river leaves behind the sand, which are paddling depth for children rather than anything you ride.No measured depth profile has been published.
Tides
Low and mid tide give the cleanest, flattest water on the outside. High tide and the turn of the tide bring shorebreak and strong current, worst on a rising tide with north-west wind, and the flow runs hardest around the rocky points at each end. No single best tide has been established for the spot.
Temperature
21°C summer · 15°C winter
Wetsuit
Water runs 12-20 C: a 5/4 mm in winter, a 3/2 mm in summer. Peak water is usually put at 20-22 C and the winter minimum around 14-16 C.
Currents
Currents get strong on the change of tide, worst on a rising tide with north-west wind. High tide also pushes current along the shore.
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
3 schools name this spot
On your own
Room to launch: medium
Somewhere else
Praia do Matadouro, 4 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Wide sandy river-mouth beach about 500 m long with rocks at both ends; the walk down from the parking is short.
Space
medium
Rules & access
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Check the tide stage before you rig: high tide brings shorebreak and current, low tide gives the cleanest outside waves.
- Wait for NW. It is the direction that comes in side-on at this river mouth.
- Do not ride alone here; there are no lifeguards on the beach.
- Keep off both rocky ends of the 500 m beach, especially on a rising tide with north-west wind.
- Park above the beach and walk down; the access from the car park is short.
- Check the tide stage before you rig: high tide brings shorebreak and current, low and mid tide give the cleanest outside water.
- Do not ride alone here; kite-specific cover does not exist and the lifeguard question is unsettled.
- Keep off both rocky ends of the 500 m beach, especially on a rising tide with north-west wind, and expect the air to go gusty under the cliffs there.
- Read the edital board at the beach entrance: it carries the bathing-season dates, the assistance hours and the maritime police number for that beach.
Getting there
Airport
Lisbon (LIS)
Route
From Lisbon take the A8, exit toward Mafra on the N116, follow the signs to Ericeira and drop south to the river mouth.
Cost level
medium
Staying
Ericeira and Foz do Lizandro have surf camps, guesthouses and restaurants, plus bars and beach services on the sand itself.
No-wind days
Surf at Foz do Lizandro or the other Ericeira breaks, the beach bars, Ericeira town, the surf reserve viewpoints, and SUP when the water is safe for it.
Photos
FAQ
Is it suitable for beginners?
No, it is rated intermediate and expert, and described as small and difficult, with advice to ride in a group.
When is the best time?
March to September is the main season, with the spot reportedly workable off-season too.
What is the wind like?
NW wind gives side-on conditions, the main direction reported for the spot.
What are the hazards?
Rocks sit at both ends of the beach, and tide changes bring strong currents and shorebreak, with no lifeguards on site.
Last updated: August 2026