Culture
The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve
Why a small stretch of the Portuguese coast became the first protected surfing reserve in Europe, and what that protection actually means.
In 2011 the coast around Ericeira was designated a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe and one of only a handful in the world. The programme, run by the Save The Waves Coalition with local partners, treats a run of surf breaks the way you might treat a nature reserve: as a resource worth protecting from the things that quietly destroy waves.
What it protects
A few kilometres of coast north and south of the town, taking in a string of named waves from the gentle Ribeira d'Ilhas to the heavy reefs at Coxos and Cave, plus the big-wave slab at São Lourenço. These are rock-reef waves, and a rock reef is fragile: a harbour, a seawall, a coastal road or a bad outfall can flatten a world-class wave permanently. Save The Waves was founded partly in response to exactly that happening on Madeira.
What the designation does
It is not a law that freezes the coast, but it gives the waves a formal status that has to be taken into account in planning decisions, and it funds monitoring, water-quality testing and education through a local stewardship council. In practice it means a proposed development that would damage a break now meets organised, informed opposition with international backing.
What it means for a visiting surfer
The reserve is the reason Ericeira has so many quality waves intact in one place. Treat it accordingly: respect the pecking order at the reefs, do not leave anything on the beach, and if you want to give back, the local surf clubs and Save The Waves run regular cleanups.
Spots in this guide
Ericeira
Ribeira d'Ilhas
The long, forgiving right-hand reef at the centre of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve. Peels down a cobblestone point and takes almost any level on the right day. Host of regular WSL junior and qualifying events.
All levelsYear-round, best autumn to spring
Coxos
The best wave in the Ericeira reserve and one of the finest right-hand points in Europe: long, thick, fast walls that barrel on the take-off and race down the reef. Advanced surfers only.
Advanced surfersOctober to April
Cave
A short, violent right-hand barrel over a shallow rock shelf near Ribeira d'Ilhas. All the intensity of a slab in a small package. Experts only, and only at the right tide.
Experts onlyOctober to March
Praia do Norte
The wave behind the Nazaré big-wave phenomenon. An underwater canyon funnels and amplifies Atlantic swell onto this beach, producing the largest surf ridden anywhere. A tow-in and big-wave arena, not a normal surf spot at any size.
Experts onlyNovember to MarchOn while you go
Silver Coast
16–25 OctMEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal
The MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal is Event 10 of the 2026 WSL Championship Tour, held at Supertubos in Peniche from 16 to 25 October.
Praia de Supertubos
30 Oct – 1 NovBom Petisco Peniche Pro
The closing stage of the Liga MEO Surf, Portugal's national First Division circuit, held at Supertubos.
Supertubos, Peniche
1 Nov – 31 MarTUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
A one-day tow-in team contest at Praia do Norte, called by the WSL with 24 to 48 hours notice when the forecast tops roughly 40 feet of face and the wind lines up.
Praia do NorteGuides
See more
A 7-day surf trip down the Silver Coast
The straightforward one-week route through the heart of Portuguese surf: Peniche and Baleal, then south to Ericeira, with Santa Cruz as the quiet card in the middle.
A long weekend surfing Ericeira
Three or four days in the World Surfing Reserve, no car needed, with a plan that scales from first lessons to the reefs.
A week surfing the Algarve
Base in Lagos or Sagres, chase the wind between two coastlines, and use the west-coast beaches when the south goes flat.