Cangas de Foz – A Machacona

Foz · Galicia Norte · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Cangas de Foz – A Machacona (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 check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/machacona.

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A Machacona is a short, heavy right at Cangas de Foz, in front of a small headland near Burela. It breaks over a shallow, sharp rock shelf and counts among the best reef waves of the Galician north coast. It is hollow, fast and powerful, and holds up to about 4 m. It rewards good tube riding and punishes mistakes on the rock. It only works with a solid groundswell, reportedly on about 20 days a year.

Level
Experts only
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A shortboard or step-up; bodyboards are common here.

When it works

✓ A north-west groundswell over 1 m at low to mid tide, with a south or south-west wind.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide, small or north-east swells and any onshore wind; very low tide uncovers the reef.

Watch out for

  • reef
  • rocks

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Only for surfers who can handle shallow tubes. A helmet is a good idea, and go with someone who knows the reef. When it works, the water fills with bodyboarders, so respect the locals.

Getting there

Park by the bridge, where you can see the break. Cross the railway and walk down to a small beach. Then paddle a fair way out to the peak.

Travel notes

How often it works
Fickle. It needs a solid groundswell of 1.5 m or more, and only gets it on about 20 days a year.
Crowd and vibe
Most of the year nobody is out. When it fires, word spreads and the line-up fills with experienced local bodyboarders and surfers, so wait your turn and don't drop in.
Camping and vans
No campsite nearby. The closest we found is Camping San Rafael at Peizás beach in Foz, about 7 km away. Nearest campsite about 7 km away.
Facilities
There are no services at the reef. The nearest cafés and shops are in Burela and Foz.
Water quality
We found no official water-quality data for this stretch of coast.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, WNW–N works
Size
1.5–3 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 4 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore SSW–W; handles onshore up to 8 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high
Faces
ENE (60°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Galicia Norte · All spots

Sources