Surftrips in a van: Surfing in the North of Portugal.
We continue with our review of surftrips around the Peninsula and now we are going to the neighboring country. If you want to score a good surf trip in the North of Portugal, keep reading!
From Flysurfalong with our friends from The Feather Van, we propose an amazing trip through the most unknown area to surf in Portugal.
Portugal – Part 1: Northern Portugal:
Within this saga of surftrips around the Peninsula, we started a mini-series of trips around Portugal. The Portuguese country, in addition to having an infinite number of spots to explore and surf, is a true paradise for traveling by van and finding hidden corners.
In this first trip along the Portuguese coast, we will travel through the North of Portugal, one of the great unknowns of the country in terms of surfing. It may be because its climate is colder than in other areas of the coast, but when it comes to waves, they have plenty of places where you can catch good waves.
The starting point is Moledo and Vila Praia de Ancora, located very close to the Spanish border. Both locations offer open beaches with multiple wave peaks for all levels of surfing experience, from beginner to expert. It is usually a place very frequented by Galician surfers, due to its proximity.
A little further south, we come to the Arda beach, where international bodyboarding events have been held for decades. The power of its waves, the consistency and its numerous peaks are some of the reasons why Ardana is always a good option to ensure a good bath. In addition, its great exposure to the entrance to the sea makes it a very good option for summer days with fewer waves. When the waves are strong, you have to be careful because of the currents.
Next, we find the beach of Cabedelo, which extends on both sides of the mouth of the Lima River. It is a spot frequented by surfers and wind lovers, kitesurfers and windsurfers, depending on the weather conditions. It is a very long beach with dunes that offers some very good peaks at the beginning of the beach, close to the breakwater, with long, hollow waves. The best tide to surf it is medium or low. Easy parking and showers in the parking lot. It has a good restaurant in the parking lot and apartments where you can sleep.
We continue our surf tour to the north of Portugal, in the Agucadoura beach. A fairly exposed beachbreak, which offers great consistency throughout the year. Like practically the entire coast of Portugal, when it works best it is with easterly winds (Offshore) and it works with all tides. It does not usually have too many surfers, so it is a good option if you are looking to have a quiet surf session.
After crossing the quiet town of Vila do Conde, we arrive at our last stop: azarara. This beach is one of the reference points for surfing in the North of Portugal. It is a long sandy area divided by old dikes that at high tide form part of the beginning of the occasional wave. The waves are fast with good walls for quality surfing.
Finally, finish your tour in the beautiful city of Porto, where you will find several beaches where you can surf. Slightly north of the city, you have the beach of Matosinhos. An extensive sandy area where the waves are long and soft, which will allow you to carry out all kinds of maneuvers, both with a longboard and our model 9.2 as with a shortboard. A perfect beach for surf beginners. Generally, on good days and weekends, it gets very crowded and can be chaotic when the waves are low. A little south of Porto, you have the area of Espinho, one of the jewels of surfing in the North of Portugal. It is an area with many beaches and breakwaters, with the right conditions and with the funds in place, the waves are very powerful and hollow. 
Except for the most urban areas, surfing in the North of Portugal is much less crowded than in the rest of the country, so it is a very good option for a van trip. Take these points as a reference and try to discover new spots!
So far one of our recommended trips to Portugal. As we have already told you, this coast is a gold mine of wonderful waves, so we encourage you to get off the beaten track and discover new spots where you can get into the water!
Take advantage of surfing in this natural paradise and live a new adventure!
See you on the water.
Team Flysurf.
