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cabedelo de viana kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
Portugal · Viana do Castelo
Overview
Praia do Cabedelo in Viana do Castelo is the best kitesurfing spot in northern Portugal and one of the top destinations in Europe. This stunning crescent-shaped beach sits across the Lima river from the beautiful city of Viana, surrounded by pristine nature reserve, dunes and pine forests.
The spot offers three distinct areas:
Northern end (pier): a large sea wall protects from Atlantic waves, creating an area of glassy flat water — known as some of the best foiling conditions in Europe. Ideal for beginners and freestylers.
Rodanho Beach (500m south): more onshore wind, picks up more swell. Good for intermediate wave riding.
Deep bay: when swell is big, a perfect clean right-hander forms off the rock wall — popular for surf competitions.
The Nortada is supercharged here: mountains and the Lima river amplify thermal winds to 16-35 knots on good days. Always add 5-10 knots to the forecast for local thermal effect. Wind blows side-onshore, starting around noon until sunset. May to September: wind almost every day.
Hosted the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour 2018. Family-friendly destination with camping (Orbitur), hotels, and the charming city of Viana do Castelo across the river. Water ~17°C — 4/3mm wetsuit recommended even in summer.
Spot forecast for cabedelo de viana
Sunrise 07:53 · Sunset 18:46
Next tides
- Low tide · 1.4 m
- High tide · 2.4 m
- Low tide · 1.3 m
- High tide · 2.3 m
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
cabedelo de viana: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
151h
in May · 18 rideable days
The season runs from April to September, peaking in May: 16 rideable days a month and 151 hours of usable wind, at 22 °C. The low point is January, at 2.5 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 94% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is January, with 288 mm.
Monthly averages: cabedelo de viana
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.5 | 17 h | 14 °C | 288 mm |
| February | 7.0 | 63 h | 15 °C | 172 mm |
| March | 9.0 | 69 h | 15 °C | 252 mm |
| April | 13.0 | 109 h | 19 °C | 176 mm |
| May | 18.0 | 151 h | 19 °C | 115 mm |
| June | 16.0 | 119 h | 22 °C | 28 mm |
| July | 18.0 | 150 h | 24 °C | 11 mm |
| August | 16.5 | 129 h | 24 °C | 4 mm |
| September | 13.0 | 97 h | 21 °C | 63 mm |
| October | 5.5 | 28 h | 20 °C | 186 mm |
| November | 4.5 | 21 h | 18 °C | 261 mm |
| December | 6.0 | 42 h | 14 °C | 155 mm |
Photo gallery of cabedelo de viana
Technical details of cabedelo de viana spot
The spot works with winds from N, WNW, NW, NNW.
Local association recommendations
Duotone Pro Center Viana — premium kite/windsurf center on the beach. Lessons, rental, testing, gear storage (50m from water). Restaurant with bay views. dpc-viana.com
FeelViana Water Centre — kite/windsurf/SUP/surf lessons and rental. Hosted the GKA Kite-Surf World Tour 2018. feelviana.com
Kite Voodoo — kite school at the entrance of Orbitur campsite. kitevoodoo.com
Modo Experto — mobile kite school, tours and camps. modoexpertokite.com
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Beginner
Parking
Free parking at the northern end of Cabedelo beach, near the Duotone Pro Center. Also Orbitur campsite with bungalows and tent/van spots, 5 min walk from the spot.
Wind specificities
Nortada amplified: the mountain formation near Viana and the Lima river create a thermal acceleration effect. Always add 5-10 knots to the general forecast when north wind is predicted. Wind starts around noon, peaks mid-afternoon (16-35 knots), continues until sunset. Side-onshore NW dominant.
Hazards
Rocks: at Praia de Luzia Mar (1 km south of the main spot), rocks on the beach and in the water. Avoid.
Crowded in summer: the flat water area behind the pier can get very busy on good wind days. Be patient at launch.
Cold water: ~17°C even in summer! 4/3mm wetsuit recommended year-round.
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Live
Currently, there is no weather station at this spot. If you want to change this, help us fund one: Weather Station Project
All the details of your session on windtracker.app
Webcams near cabedelo de viana
Webcams provided by Windy.com
Nearby spots
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