Foz do Arelho

Caldas da Rainha · Portugal Centro · Portugal

Live cam and today’s forecast: the live surf cam and the current surf forecast for Foz do Arelho (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To watch the cam and check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/caldas-foz-do-arelho.

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Foz do Arelho is the ocean beach next to the mouth of the Óbidos lagoon, north of Peniche. It is a fast, powerful beach break with lefts and rights, and it only works well when the sandbanks and the swell line up. Wannasurf contributors describe a great atmosphere and relaxed locals.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard.

When it works

✓ A 1–2.5 m west to north-west swell with a south-east wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ The north wind, which blows onshore here, and messy swells.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • currents
  • shorebreak

Best months

March, April, September, October, November, December

Local tips

Keep away from the lagoon mouth, where tidal currents run strongly. Mid tide is best.

Getting there

Foz do Arelho is about 9 km north-west of Caldas da Rainha. Park above Praia do Mar.

Travel notes

How often it works
Surf-forecast rates it inconsistent: it needs the right banks and swell.
Crowd and vibe
Few surfers on weekdays and crowded at weekends. Cool locals.
Camping and vans
Orbitur Foz do Arelho is a few minutes' drive from the beach. Portuguese road law bans motorhome overnight stays outside authorised places in protected areas, Natura 2000 sites and zones covered by the coastal plans, and limits other overnight stops to 48 hours per municipality. Nearest campsite about 2 km away.
Facilities
Lifeguards in season, a first-aid post, toilets, showers and beach bars.
Water quality
Praia do Mar was rated excellent in APA's latest annual classification and flies a Blue Flag in 2026.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, WSW–NNW works
Size
1.1–2.4 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3.2 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore E–SSE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
NW (311°)

Live cam

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

Nearby spots

All spots in Portugal Centro · All spots

Sources