Santa María de Oia

Oia · Galicia Sur · Spain

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Santa María de Oia (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/santa-maria-de-oia.

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Santa María de Oia has rock reefs in a small bay in front of the medieval Cistercian monastery of Oia. It is below the Groba hills, on the open coast between Baiona and A Guarda. The main wave is a heavy left south of the village over shallow granite. It rises suddenly and late, holds very big swells and is known as the most powerful left in the area. A long right on a reef near the harbour starts working on small swells and at lower tides. The spot is exposed and consistent. Regulars are mostly locals on surfboards and bodyboards, and it gets crowded when it is on.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A shortboard, and a step-up for big days.

When it works

✓ A 2–3.5 m north-west or west swell with an east or south-east wind; mid to high tide on the drop for the left, low to mid for the right.

When it doesn't

✕ Westerly winds and very small swells; on big days the left is for experienced surfers only, and sets from odd angles and currents push towards the low cliffs.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • currents

Best months

January, February, March, October, November, December

Local tips

Not for beginners or surfers new to rock reefs. Conditions change quickly, so don't surf alone. Less experienced surfers can stay at the inside end of the right.

Getting there

Easy entry from the small harbour, with parking in the village. The Portuguese Coastal Camino passes through, so pilgrims often stop to watch.

Travel notes

How often it works
On the open coast, so it gets swell often and can work all year. The right starts in small swells, and the left keeps going in very big ones.
Crowd and vibe
Usually empty on weekdays and quiet at weekends. It can fill up a little on good days, mostly with local surfers and bodyboarders who know the reef.
Camping and vans
The nearest campsite is Camping O Muiño in Mougás, about 7 km north, open March to mid-October. A fuel station at Loucenzas, just before A Guarda, has free motorhome waste and water services. Nearest campsite about 7 km away.
Facilities
Parking and a small harbour in the village, but no surf facilities at the break.
Water quality
No official water rating found for this rocky bay.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NW best, WSW–NNW works
Size
1.8–3.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1 m, holds to 5.5 m
Period
10 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore E–S; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
mid, high best, on the falling tide
Faces
NW (305°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Galicia Sur · All spots

Sources