Lagoa de Óbidos
Foz do Arelho, Leiria, Portugal
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, SUP
Best time to go: May–September
Lagoa de Óbidos is a large, shallow coastal lagoon on Portugal's west coast, about 80 km north of Lisbon, separated from the Atlantic by a sand bar near the village of Foz do Arelho. In summer the Nortada, a northerly wind strengthened by the heating of the land, blows on most afternoons from around May to September. It usually builds after midday and blows across the lagoon from the north to north-west.
The water is flat to lightly choppy and often waist-deep or less, with a sand and mud bottom, which makes it a good place to learn and to practise freestyle. The lagoon is tidal: large areas become very shallow at low tide, and the channel near the mouth has strong currents on the falling tide, so keep away from the outlet to the sea. In summer kiting is restricted in some areas, including the estuary and parts of the northern shore near Foz do Arelho, and riders use the eastern and southern shores such as the Bom Sucesso side instead. Check the current zones with a local school before riding.
Month by month at Lagoa de Óbidos
- January: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.2 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 9°C), 21 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- February: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.2 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 21 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- March: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.2 m, water 15°C, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 25 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- April: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.4 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- May: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.9 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 31 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- June: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 17°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- July: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 18°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- August: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 17°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 30 sunny days, 4 rainy days
- September: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2 m, water 17°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 29 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- October: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.4 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 23 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- November: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 18°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 21 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- December: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 24 sunny days, 12 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling & windsurfing at Lagoa de Óbidos?
May–September, when it is windy most often.
How warm is the water at Lagoa de Óbidos?
15°C to 18°C over the year: a 4/3 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.
How windy is Lagoa de Óbidos?
About 72 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Lagoa de Óbidos
- Peniche – Baleal (12 km)
- Nazaré – Praia do Norte (23 km)
- Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas (51 km)
- Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha (95 km)
- Lagos – Meia Praia (262 km)
More: All spots in Portugal · Kitesurfing in Portugal · Wingfoiling in Portugal · Windsurfing in Portugal · SUP in Portugal
Compare with: Lagoa de Óbidos vs Peniche – Baleal · Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha vs Lagoa de Óbidos