Overview

Located in the Atlantic, off the coast of Portugal and Morocco, Madeira is a floating garden in the middle of the ocean. The island is considered the pearl of the Atlantic.

Its climate is very mild, and it benefits from a privileged position to get the winter swells. If you want to revel in the Atlantic Sunset, take a walk on the side of Jardim Do Mar. .. you will be surprised by the power and regularity of the waves.  In the evenings as your legs ache after a session, you can share a glass of wine and tapas in the little bars with big waves riders in the area.

Surf Breaks

Surf - General

It’s situated in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean and is a island privileged to received all the swells from the NW and N/NW on the south coast.

The surf season stretches from October until March but the best period is from November until February.  There are hardly any waves in summer, only a few spots that work at that time of year.  Very big swells hit from December to February with waves of 2 to 5 metres.  The island is reputed for its big wave riding, however the swell can drop as fast as it’s arrives.  Keep an eye on weather maps to find the right spot.  It’s closer to home than Hawaii but often just as consistent…

Most surfers stay on the southwest coast, in the village of Jardim do Mar because the waves there are more frequent with various spots generally sheltered from the dominant northerly winds.

If it’s onshore on the south coast, you just have to go 40 minutes by car to get to the north coast which is usually sheltered from the southerly winds.  The spots that work the most are Ponta Pequena and Paul do Mar on the southwest coast and Faja de Areia on the north coast.  Every spot in Madeira is powerful and dangerous.  Faja de Areia is considered the best spot to learn and therefore it’s normally the most crowded.

North Coast Surf Breaks:

Ponta Delgada: North of the island – a solid left 8kms from Sao Vicente –

Breaks off a rocky cliff – works well up to 5 metres.

Faja da Areia: In Sao Vicente – Works at high tide – average quality rights and lefts – Surfable on a smaller swell.

Contreira:  Works with no wind and with an average swell size.  Opposite a little restaurant – Nice left, fun to surf – tricky to get into the water

Ribeira da Janela: A quality left-hander – works with a NW average sized swell.

South Coast Surf Breaks::

Carleno's: In the village of Paul do Mar – A good sized right, breaks along the rocks – A big cavernous tube ride that works at around 2 – 2.5m – clear water guaranteed.

Ponta Pequena: Very solid right – a cylindrical tube that breaks at the foot of a small cliff.  Very fun to surf.

Jardim do Mar:  A world-class right-hander – the ‘Sunset’ of the Atlantic.  20kms to the west of Ribeira Brava – Works from 2.5 to 6 metres on a NW swell!!  Tricky entry and exit from the water.  A wave for ‘Big Wave Riders’ only

Ponta do Sol: Another solid Hawaiian-style wave – a thick right-hander that works well at high tide.

Season & Weather

A pleasant climate punctuated by prevailing NE winds, which are less strong than in the Canaries.  Frequently offshore and glassy outside of the big winter low pressures.  Tides are quite sensittive and can affect some of the more shallow spots.

Water temperature is quite stable from November to June, between 17 and 19°.  Being a 3/2mm and boots because getting into the water over big boulders can be tricky.