Matosinhos is a long beach located near Porto, Portugal. It’s known for its flexible surf options and is sheltered by a large breakwater at the northern end. This spot features a mix of different breaks, starting with a right point wave near the breakwater and getting more consistent as you head south. The beach can get crowded, especially when the surf is good, but there’s usually enough space to find your spot.

The surf here can range from waist high to double overhead (about 1 to 2.5 meters). The optimal swell direction is Northwest, but it also handles swells coming from the Southwest and can be surfed across all tide levels. The waves are mostly beach breaks that create both left and right waves. The best conditions for surfing are when the wind is blowing from the East and during lower tide heights, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced surfers. You can ride a variety of boards here, from shortboards and funboards to longboards, fish, and bodyboards.

Matosinhos generally works best in the autumn months, needing medium to large swells to really get going. The sandy bottom is occasionally mixed with some rocks at the southern end, so keep that in mind while paddling out. In smaller conditions, paddling out is manageable, but it can get tough when the surf picks up, so be prepared for that if you’re planning a surf session here.