São Miguel
Azores
Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic, with São Miguel the main surf island. The long black-sand beach at Santa Bárbara near Ribeira Grande is the hub, with a cluster of surf schools and the national circuit passing through, plus reefs and points for the experienced elsewhere on the north coast. Consistent swell year-round, cooler and far more changeable than Madeira, and green rather than built-up. Coverage here is light for now.
Towns
Praia da Vitória
A town on Terceira's east coast around a wide bay with Praia Grande, the longest sandy beach in the Azores, and surf breaks along the coast to the south.
SurfKitesurfWindsurf
Ponta Delgada
The Azores' main city, on the south coast of São Miguel. The surf is on the north coast, around 30 minutes away by car, with the beaches near Ribeira Grande the usual target.
Surf
Ribeira Grande
The surf town of São Miguel, on the north coast. The long black-sand beach at Santa Bárbara just west of town is the island's main break and school hub, and it has hosted the national circuit and a WSL qualifying event.
SurfSpots here
Contendas
A reef bay by the Contendas lighthouse near São Sebastião, on Terceira's south-east corner, that wakes up on south swells. A left that becomes a right in the western corner once the swell passes 2 metres.
IntermediatesWhen south swells arrive, mostly autumn to springMonte Verde
Ribeira Grande's town beach on São Miguel's north coast, and the island's main beach break, with peaks spread across four sections. A good wave for most levels on a NW swell.
All levelsAutumn to spring
Porto Martins
A left-hand point over rock at the village of Porto Martins, south of Praia da Vitória: one of the longest and most powerful lefts on Terceira. Rated five stars for quality, at its best on big NW swells.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring, on big NW swellsPraia da Vitória
The bay of Praia da Vitória on Terceira's east coast, with two reef waves off the pier, known locally as Riviera and Vietnam. The Azores tourism board rates it five stars for quality, for every level on the right day.
All levelsAutumn to springPraia das Milícias
The black volcanic sand beach on the Estrada do Populo just east of Ponta Delgada, also called Praia Grande, and the south coast's main beach break. Works on south swells when the north coast is blown out.
All levelsAutumn to spring, when south swells arrive
Rabo de Peixe
A powerful, tubing left that breaks off the fishing harbour of Rabo de Peixe on São Miguel's north coast. Top quality on a solid north swell, with a tight take-off and a local crew that knows it.
Advanced surfersAutumn to spring, on the big north swellsSanta Bárbara
A long black volcanic-sand beach on the north coast of São Miguel, just west of Ribeira Grande. The main surf spot in the Azores, with a surf school on the sand and a competition history, and peaks for every level depending on size.
All levelsAutumn to spring for size; surfable year-roundSpots at a glance
| Spots | Break | Suits | Best season | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Verde | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Ribeira Grande |
| Praia da Vitória | Reef break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Praia da Vitória |
| Praia das Milícias | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring, when south swells arrive | Ponta Delgada |
| Santa Bárbara | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for size; surfable year-round | Ribeira Grande |
| Contendas | Reef break | Intermediates | When south swells arrive, mostly autumn to spring | Praia da Vitória |
| Porto Martins | Point break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring, on big NW swells | Praia da Vitória |
| Rabo de Peixe | Point break | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring, on the big north swells | Ribeira Grande |
Schools & rentals here
Azores Surf School
The first surf school in the Azores, running since 2004, teaching on whichever coast of São Miguel has the conditions, with free transport from Ponta Delgada.
SurfSanta Barbara Surf School Azores
A surf school and camp on the black-sand beach at Santa Bárbara near Ribeira Grande, the main surf spot on São Miguel.
SurfEvents here
Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.
Common questions
- Where do you surf in the Azores?
- Mostly São Miguel. The black-sand beach at Santa Bárbara near Ribeira Grande is the main spot, with a surf school on the sand and peaks for every level. The north coast has reefs and points for the experienced.
- What is the weather and water like?
- Cooler and far more changeable than mainland Portugal or Madeira. Water is 16 to 19 degrees, so a 3/2 in summer and a 4/3 in winter, and expect the weather to shift through the day.