Foz is an excellent-quality rivermouth left that only breaks on the biggest swells of the year. When it finally lines up, the wave is fast, hollow, and shallow, peeling left over sand where the river meets the sea.
When It Works
The spot draws swell from northwest to north, with northwest (NW) swell the best match. It works from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, and it doesn't hold above about 8 ft, so the biggest days of the year are exactly what it needs without going beyond that limit.
Wind and Tide
Look for southwest (SW) wind, which blows offshore here. This is strictly a low tide wave: low tide is the time to surf it, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
Fast, hollow, and breaking over a shallow bottom, Foz is a wave for expert surfers. Expect a crowded lineup when it's on, as the town has an active surfing population.
Access
There's free parking and restrooms at the beach, with good beach facilities, shops, and bars, plus campsites fairly nearby. Beaches and car parks get packed in summer, and the Ria Foz brings some estuarine pollution.
