Surf school · Ribeira Grande
Santa 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.
Santa Bárbara Surf School Azores teaches on the exposed north-coast beach at Santa Bárbara, which is rarely flat and works for every level depending on size. Founded and run by Sergio Marcos Aparicio, the school offers lessons and surf-camp stays on São Miguel. Expect cool water and weather that changes through the day.
Spots nearby
Monte 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
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-round