Silver Coast · 38°58′N 9°25′W
Ericeira
A World Surfing Reserve with a run of world-class right-hand reefs, from mellow Ribeira d'Ilhas to heavy Coxos.
Ericeira is a small fishing and resort town on the coast north-west of Lisbon, and the only World Surfing Reserve in Europe. What earns it that status is a run of world-class right-hand reefs packed into a few kilometres of coast, from mellow to genuinely dangerous, often working on the same swell.
Where to surf, by level
Beginners belong at Foz do Lizandro, the river-mouth beach break at the south end, and the town beaches (Praia do Sul, Praia dos Pescadores) on small days. Most schools teach here.
Intermediates step up to Ribeira d'Ilhas, a long, forgiving right that is the most user-friendly of the reefs and the reason the WSL holds a contest here. Pontinha and Praia do Norte add options.
The heavy reefs are for advanced and expert surfers only: Coxos, a powerful, board-snapping right point, plus Cave, Reef, Crazy Left and, out to sea, the big-wave slab at São Lourenço. These break over rock in shallow water and are territorial. Watch first, ask locally, and be honest about your level.
When to go
Autumn through spring is when the reefs turn on, with the cleanest conditions often in September and October. Summer is smaller and better for learning; Foz do Lizandro holds a wave when the reefs are flat. Water runs about 17 to 19 degrees in late summer and 14 to 16 in winter.
Getting there
From Lisbon it is roughly 45 minutes by car on the A21. Mafrense runs buses from Lisbon (Campo Grande) to Ericeira through the day.
Events
The EDP Ericeira Pro (WSL Challenger Series) runs at Ribeira d'Ilhas in October, the path onto the Championship Tour and the circuit's only European stop. The national Liga MEO Surf also has an Ericeira stage in spring, and the Portuguese Surf Film Festival takes over the town for two weeks in July.
Spots here
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
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
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
Pedra Branca
A fast, shallow left-hand reef on the north side of Ericeira town, rated the best lefthander in the reserve. Expert only -- the take-off is straight onto dry rock.
Experts onlyAutumn to springRibeira 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
São Julião
A big open beach break between Ericeira and the Sintra coast, known as the area swell magnet -- it has waves when the reserve reefs are flat. Beginner-friendly on a small mid tide, dangerous on size.
All levelsYear-round; biggest and cleanest autumn to winterSão Lourenço
The northernmost break of the Ericeira reserve: an exposed reef with multiple peaks that works most of the year for advanced surfers and turns into a genuine big-wave wave when a large north swell hits.
Advanced surfersAutumn to spring; a tow spot on the biggest swellsRead next
Guides
The surf spots of Ericeira
Europe's first World Surfing Reserve packs a run of world-class reefs into a few kilometres, from a beginner river mouth to board-snapping points. Every spot, by level.
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.
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.
Schools & rentals here
Surf schools, camps & board rental in EriceiraActivity Surf Center
An Ericeira surf school running since 2012, with lessons for every level across the town's beaches, plus board and wetsuit rental and a shop in the centre.
Surf
Blue Ocean Ericeira Surf School
A surf school based right on Ribeira d'Ilhas beach, inside the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, running lessons and multi-day courses for every level with equipment included.
SurfFrom EUR 40 / lessonEriceira Surfboard Rental
Board and wetsuit rental for the Ericeira area - soft-tops and hard-tops from 12 EUR a day, with delivery, roof racks and free board swaps.
SurfFrom EUR 12 / day
Ericeira Waves
A surf school in Santo Isidoro, Ericeira, since 2014, teaching on several beach breaks around the World Surfing Reserve with Portuguese Surf Federation instructors and groups of up to five.
Surf
Rapture Surfcamps Ericeira
A surf camp in a Portuguese villa a few metres from Foz do Lizandro, a mellow beach break that suits lessons, with easy reach of the reserve's other spots.
SurfShapers here
Shapers
Mica Surfboards
Mica Lourenço hand-shapes made-to-measure boards out of Carvoeira, minutes from the Ericeira reefs: grovellers, step-ups, eggs, classics and a full high-performance line.
Surf
Semente Surfboards
Portugal's most established performance surfboard label, shaping in Ericeira since the 1980s. Founded by American shaper Nick Uricchio in the town at the centre of what is now the World Surfing Reserve.
Surf
Wavegliders
An Ericeira surf shop and shaping room in one - hand-shaped boards by Nico alongside a classic-leaning shop, in the town at the centre of the World Surfing Reserve.
SurfEvents here
Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.
Nearby
Santa Cruz
A long open beach south of Peniche with rock stacks offshore, exposed and consistent, quieter than its neighbours.
Surf
Areia Branca
A compact beach town at Lourinhã, between Peniche and Santa Cruz, with a sheltered bay that works for learners and a cluster of long-established surf schools.
Surf
Peniche
A working fishing peninsula that catches swell from almost any direction, home to the beach break at Supertubos.
SurfWindsurfCommon questions
- What are the surf spots in Ericeira?
- Ericeira has 7 spot guides here: Cave, Coxos, Foz do Lizandro, Pedra Branca, Ribeira d'Ilhas, São Julião, São Lourenço.
- Is Ericeira good for beginners?
- Yes — Ribeira d'Ilhas, São Julião are rated beginner-friendly.
- When is the best time to surf in Ericeira?
- Ericeira's reefs need autumn and winter swell to work. September and October are the sweet spot: clean, powerful and not yet cold, with the Challenger Series in town. Deep winter is full power and expert territory. Summer is small, and Foz do Lizandro carries the learners while the reefs sleep.
- Is there a surf school in Ericeira?
- Yes — 5 are listed for Ericeira.