Lisbon and Cascais · 38°39′N 9°14′W
Costa da Caparica
Kilometres of south-facing beach break across the river from Lisbon, reachable by ferry and bus, with peaks that spread the crowd.
Costa da Caparica is a long, south-west-facing wall of beach break on the south side of the Tejo, directly across the water from Lisbon. Dozens of peaks spread the crowd along the sand, and the banks shift through the year.
Where to surf, by level
The northern beaches near the town, from São João to Praia do Paraíso and the CDS beach, are the main surf and school zone and suit beginners and intermediates. Further south, reached in summer by the narrow-gauge Transpraia train, the beaches empty out and the banks can get better and heavier.
Caparica's useful trick is shelter. The town and the cliffs block the north wind, so when the nortada is ruining the exposed west coast in summer, Caparica is often still clean. It needs west or south-west swell to work.
When to go
Autumn and winter for size and consistency. Summer for the sheltered, learner-friendly conditions and the scene. Water is around 18 to 20 in summer and 15 to 16 in winter.
Getting there
From Lisbon, take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas then a bus, or drive over the 25 de Abril bridge, about 25 minutes outside rush hour.
Events
The Caparica Surf Fest runs for ten days at Praia do Paraíso in April, built around national surf, bodyboard and longboard competition with free lessons, demos and a market. The national bodyboard circuit also stops here.
Spots here
Fonte da Telha
The quiet southern end of the Caparica coast, a former fishing village below the pine woods with soft beach-break peaks on small swells. A good learner's beach when the rest of Caparica is busy.
BeginnersYear-round for learning; winter for cleaner days
São João da Caparica
The northern end of Costa da Caparica, where a line of groynes shapes the sandbanks and most of the area's surf schools operate. Sheltered from the north wind, so it is a key summer option near Lisbon.
All levelsAutumn to spring for size; summer for the sheltered lessonsRead next
Guides
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.
Surfing Portugal in summer, and beating the nortada
Summer is small, warm and crowded, and the north wind wrecks most afternoons. How to still get good waves: dawn, shelter, or the Algarve.
Schools & rentals here
Surf schools, camps & board rental in Costa da Caparica
Shapers here
Shapers
Blue Room Surf Hub
A board-building hub at Charneca da Caparica: custom shaping, lamination, CNC and 3D design, plus shaping rooms independent shapers can rent.
Surf
Matta Surfboards
Nuno Matta has shaped high-performance boards behind Costa da Caparica for around thirty years, with a big walk-in showroom stock and outlines built for beach-break surfing.
SurfEvents here
Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.
Nearby
Carcavelos
Lisbon's home beach, one stop on the Cascais train line, a wide forgiving beach break that is busiest wave in the country on a good day.
Surf
Lisbon
The city itself has no surf, but a dozen beaches are inside 40 minutes by train, ferry or car in every direction.
Surf
Cascais
The resort town at the end of the Lisbon train line, with sheltered town beaches and the reef at Guincho a short drive north.
SurfWindsurfCommon questions
- What are the surf spots in Costa da Caparica?
- Costa da Caparica has 2 spot guides here: Fonte da Telha, São João da Caparica.
- Is Costa da Caparica good for beginners?
- Yes — São João da Caparica is rated beginner-friendly.
- When is the best time to surf in Costa da Caparica?
- Caparica is a strong summer choice, because the town shelters the beach from the north wind that ruins the exposed coast in July and August. Autumn and winter bring the size and the better sandbanks. April is festival month, with ten days of competition and a market at Praia do Paraíso.
- Is there a surf school in Costa da Caparica?
- Yes — one is listed for Costa da Caparica.