Overview

Surf Breaks

Surf General

During winter season the swell size is around the 6-7ft but can get to 10-12 ft or more, making it a spot for those looking for challenging surf. There is surf throughout the summer months and you can expect waves in the 3-5ft rane. A great option to learn to surf.

Southern Portugal

The Algarve is a favourite destination amongst tourists; the surf is not the best in the country but the climate and relaxed atmosphere make up for it.  This region has the biggest swell window as it picks up southern swells as well as the winter north westerly swells that wrap into the coves around the Sagres area.  The water in the south is the warmest in Portugal and although it’s a year round destination, autumn to springtime is the best time to get waves. They have over 300 days of sunshine in the Algarve and rain is spread out thinly over winter/ spring.

• Praia do Amado (West): Most famous surf spot. Large sandy beach with dunes ideal for beginners - this is where many surf schools do their teaching. Only holds up to two meters. Respect the locals!
• Carrapateira/Bordeira (West): Adjacent to Praia do Amado. Great surf spot with a sandy beach accessed through a lagoon surrounded by dunes. Perfect for beginners, but watch out for the undercurrent. Great left handers if the banks are working!
• Arrifana (West): North of Carrapateira, a scenic surf spot showcased by a high cliff topped by a picturesque whitewashed village. Beach break, usually half the size of other west coast beaches - good when others are too big. To the right of the beach, you have a good right-hand reef break, but it only breaks with at least 1.5 metre swell. Watch out for the "hamburger" or "Kangaroo" rock. Only for advanced surfers!
• Sagres (West/South): Europe's south-western most point, this peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic to the south and the west, providing numerous surf spots and surfing options according to swell conditions.
• Praia Meia (Lagos), Portimao and Faro (South Coast): On the Algarve's southern coast. Surf spots with good breaks offering a good alternative to the western coast when the swell is too big there or when the SE wind (Levante) blows.

Northern and Central Portugal

This stretch of coastline is uncrowded yet very consistent as swell can reach it from all directions.  There are a variety of beach breaks, rivermouths as well as flat reefs.  The environment is beautiful with lots of lush landscapes but invariably lots of rainfall to go with it.  The best time to surf in this area is late spring until autumn.

Further down the coast towards Peniche is a place called Figuera de Foz and Nazaré which are really good spots to surf.  Nazaré especially has some excellent beachbreaks, as good as any on the continent.  The small village of Peniche is probably the most famous surf spot in Portugal.  It has many different types of waves that pick up swell and work well in nearly all conditions.   Ericeira is full of great waves, Coxos being the most well-known.   This is a lively surf town and the breaks work all year round but can get pretty crowded

• Vila Praia de Âncora: A long beach with sandbars that have fun and consistent waves.  The crowds are usually spread out along the bay although the south end of the beach picks up more swell.
• Aguçadoura: This beach picks up lots of swell.  Uncrowded and when the conditions are good, different banks work at different stages of the tide.
• Espinho: This is the most well-known break in northern Portugal.  It’s a right-hander that breaks off a pier then walls up until it finally closes out onto shallow rocks.
• Cabedelo: A right-hander that works best in a NW swell.  It’s fast and hollow, breaking off the side of a long jetty.
• Nazaré: A trench of deep water produces heavy, hollow waves over a sand bottom.  Currents are strong.
• Praia do Baleal: Lots of potential with a southerly offshore wind.  When the swell is bigger, you can surf more sheltered spots in the corners of the beach.
• Supertubos: A world-class beach break.  Long, heavy barrels are guaranteed – best on a mid-tide with a south west, west or north west swell.
  
• Coxos: A long, fast, hollow right-hander.  Holds big swell and is a very powerful wave but access to the water is really difficult and the currents are strong.
• Carcavelos: An amazing breakbreak which is one of the best Portuguese spots.  Works well on a SW swell and is a consistent wave which is usually crowded.

Season & Weather