Surf: General: The jetty at Cabedelo is known for its consistency. Though classic Cabedelo -- when the rights are roping alongside the jetty and the rip pulls you back out exactly where you need to be -- doesn't happen every day, this stretch of beach accepts anything the North Atlantic can dish up, with a huge jetty to protect it from NW winds. The key factor for perfection is sand. There needs to be at least one big winter-type storm to move the sand into its proper place next to the jetty. When it's on, the right is a mind-bogglingly perfect performance wave with a tube section on the takeoff; and the left into the jetty is shorter, though equally good. But in spring and summer, when it's less consistent, the sand can settle in a straightish line, rendering the jetty wedge invisible. This is okay, as there are a bunch of scattered peaks farther south. And if you drive north of town, there are some ultra-consistent beachbreaks that stick out even farther than Cabedelo. Tides: Past low towards medium tides generally best. Size: Waist high to double overhead. Wind: E, NE Swell: NW, W, SW Bottom: Sand. Paddling: Pretty mellow since the rip next to the jetty takes you straight out. Spot Rating: Fun, flexible beachbreak inside a protective groyne, with fun wedges and good quality walling waves. Access: Parking by the groyne and to the south near the hospital. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Popular break, gets busy. Local Vibe: Yes. The locals know the wave well and will either yell at you, paddle inside you or both. Environment: Has a bad reputation - suffers from raw sewage discharge from the river. Hazards: Can be heavy and wedgy; crowds. Season: Best September to May.