wavesdays

Silver Coast · 39°08′N 9°23′W

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz
Photo: Ricardo Martins · CC BY 2.0

A long open beach south of Peniche with rock stacks offshore, exposed and consistent, quieter than its neighbours.

Spots here

Santa Cruz
Beach break · Santa Cruz

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 elsewhere

Read next

Guides
A 7-day surf trip down the Silver Coast
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.

Surfing Portugal without a car
Travel

Surfing Portugal without a car

A few towns work well on buses and trains, boards and all. Where to base, how to get there, and how to move once you arrive.

How to avoid the crowds surfing in Portugal
Strategy

How to avoid the crowds surfing in Portugal

The Portuguese coast is busy in the obvious places at the obvious times. Change one of three things -- when, where, or what time of day -- and it thins out fast.

Schools & rentals here

Surf schools, camps & board rental in Santa Cruz
Atlantic Coast Surf School
Surf school · Santa Cruz

Atlantic Coast Surf School

A certified surf school based between Santa Cruz and Praia Azul, on a long open stretch of the Silver Coast that is quieter than Ericeira and Peniche.

Surf
Surf Lodge Santa Cruz
Surf camp · Santa Cruz

Surf Lodge Santa Cruz

A surf lodge in Santa Cruz-Silveira with FPS/ISA-certified instruction, free board and bike rental for guests, a pool and garden, and dorm-to-suite accommodation, an hour north of Lisbon.

Surf
Tsunami Surf School
Surf school · Santa Cruz

Tsunami Surf School

A surf school on Praia de Santa Cruz started by two local surfers, with certified instructors and a team that spans coaching, physiotherapy and health. Weekly programmes or single lessons.

Surf

Shapers here

Shapers
SPO Surfboards
Shaper · Santa Cruz

SPO Surfboards

Hugo Cartaxana's Santa Cruz factory, two decades in. SPO shapes performance and competition boards and most of the tow boards used up the coast at Nazaré.

Surf

Events here

Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.

Nearby

Areia Branca
Silver Coast

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
Ericeira
Silver Coast

Ericeira

A World Surfing Reserve with a run of world-class right-hand reefs, from mellow Ribeira d'Ilhas to heavy Coxos.

Surf
Peniche
Silver Coast

Peniche

A working fishing peninsula that catches swell from almost any direction, home to the beach break at Supertubos.

SurfWindsurf

Common questions

What are the surf spots in Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has one spot guide here: Santa Cruz.
Is Santa Cruz good for beginners?
Yes — Santa Cruz is rated beginner-friendly.
Is there a surf school in Santa Cruz?
Yes — 3 are listed for Santa Cruz.