Trip route
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.
If you have a week and want the most reliable surf in Portugal without a long drive every day, this is the route. It runs about 60 kilometres of coast between Peniche and Ericeira, with a car you only really need for the hops between towns.
Days 1 to 3, Peniche and Baleal
Base in Baleal for the learning-friendly north-facing beach and the cluster of schools, or in Peniche town if you want to be near Supertubos. The peninsula catches swell from almost any direction, so there is nearly always something rideable: Baleal for the softer days, Molhe Leste when the wind is north, Supertubos only if you know what you are doing. Book a lesson or a guide for the first morning to work out which spot suits the conditions.
Days 4 and 5, Santa Cruz
Half an hour south, Santa Cruz is the same swell as Peniche and Ericeira with a fraction of the people. A long open beach with shifting peaks, good for intermediates who want space, and a couple of low-key schools. A useful pressure valve if the famous towns are packed.
Days 6 and 7, Ericeira
Finish in the World Surfing Reserve. Learners and easy days go to Foz do Lizandro at the south end; everyone else works through the right-hand reefs, from the forgiving Ribeira d'Ilhas to the heavy stuff at Coxos and Cave that you should watch before you paddle out. Ericeira town is walkable and full of places to eat.
Getting around
Fly into Lisbon, pick up a car, and it is about an hour and fifteen to Peniche. Rede Expressos coaches connect Lisbon, Peniche and Ericeira if you would rather not drive, but a car makes the day-to-day spot choice much easier.
When to go
September and October are the pick: consistent swell, water still warm, fewer crowds than summer. Winter is bigger and colder and better suited to confident surfers.
Spots in this guide
Peniche & Baleal
The whole peninsula in one guide: why Peniche works almost year-round, where Supertubos and Baleal fit, and how locals pick a spot by the day's wind and tide.
All levelsAutumn to spring for the biggest, most consistent swell; summer smaller and better for learning
Supertubos
The beach break that made Peniche famous: fast, hollow barrels over a sandbar, both ways with better lefts. Europe's answer to Pipeline and a long-time WSL Championship Tour venue.
Advanced surfersOctober to March, February often the pick
Molhe Leste
The beach break next to the eastern breakwater at Peniche, just along from Supertubos. A more forgiving wave than its famous neighbour, and the spot the crowd moves to when Supertubos is out of control or blown out by the north wind.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
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
Foz do Lizandro
The beach break at the mouth of the Lizandro river, just south of Ericeira. A wide, forgiving sandy beach that is the town's main learner wave and home to most of its surf schools.
BeginnersYear-round; summer is smallest and best for learning
Santa Cruz
A long, open beach between Peniche and Ericeira, with tall rock stacks offshore and a spread of peaks. Exposed and consistent, quieter than its famous neighbours, and it works for every level depending on size.
All levelsYear-round; autumn and spring the pick for size without the winter crowds elsewhereOn 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
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 Norte
6–8 NovBom Petisco Peniche Pro
The closing stage of the Liga MEO Surf, Portugal's national First Division circuit, held at Supertubos.
SupertubosGuides
See more
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.
Where to surf near Lisbon
The city has four very different surf beaches within an hour, plus Ericeira a little further. Which one to pick, by wind, swell and level.