Spot guides
Surf spot guides, Portugal
Honest write-ups of the breaks, what they need to work and who they suit. Deep where we surf ourselves, lighter elsewhere for now.
All spots, compared
| Spots | Region | Break | Suits | Best season | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguçadoura | Norte | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Póvoa de Varzim |
| Cabedelo (Viana do Castelo) | Norte | Beach break | All levels | Kiting March to October; surf in autumn and winter | Viana do Castelo |
| Matosinhos | Norte | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round; autumn and spring the pick, winter cold and bigger | Matosinhos |
| Espinho | Norte | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring | Espinho |
| Furadouro | Norte | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring | Furadouro |
| Leca da Palmeira | Norte | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn and winter; comes alive in winter storms | Matosinhos |
| Buarcos | Centro | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring; a dependable option when Cabedelo is too big | Figueira da Foz |
| Praia de Mira | Centro | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round for learning; winter for clean days | Praia de Mira |
| Praia da Barra | Centro | Beach break | Intermediates | Winter | Barra |
| São Pedro de Moel | Centro | Beach break | Intermediates | Year-round; very consistent | São Pedro de Moel |
| Cabedelo | Centro | Rivermouth | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring | Figueira da Foz |
| Foz do Arelho | Silver Coast | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for surf; summer thermal wind for the lagoon | Foz do Arelho |
| Peniche & Baleal | Silver Coast | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for the biggest, most consistent swell; summer smaller and better for learning | Peniche |
| Ribeira d'Ilhas | Silver Coast | Reef break | All levels | Year-round, best autumn to spring | Ericeira |
| Santa Cruz | Silver Coast | Beach break | All levels | Year-round; autumn and spring the pick for size without the winter crowds elsewhere | Santa Cruz |
| São Julião | Silver Coast | Beach break | All levels | Year-round; biggest and cleanest autumn to winter | Ericeira |
| Areia Branca | Silver Coast | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round; summer smallest and best for lessons | Areia Branca |
| Cantinho da Baia | Silver Coast | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round; small and gentle May to August | Peniche |
| Foz do Lizandro | Silver Coast | Rivermouth | Beginners | Year-round; summer is smallest and best for learning | Ericeira |
| Prainha | Silver Coast | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round; a reliable option when the exposed breaks are too big | Peniche |
| Lagide | Silver Coast | Reef break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring, but rideable much of the year | Ferrel |
| Molhe Leste | Silver Coast | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring | Peniche |
| Coxos | Silver Coast | Point break | Advanced surfers | October to April | Ericeira |
| São Lourenço | Silver Coast | Reef break | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring; a tow spot on the biggest swells | Ericeira |
| Supertubos | Silver Coast | Beach break | Advanced surfers | October to March, February often the pick | Peniche |
| Cave | Silver Coast | Reef break | Experts only | October to March | Ericeira |
| Pedra Branca | Silver Coast | Reef break | Experts only | Autumn to spring | Ericeira |
| Praia do Norte | Silver Coast | Beach break | Experts only | November to March | Nazaré |
| Carcavelos | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Carcavelos |
| Praia Grande | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring; summer smaller and good for learning | Praia Grande |
| São João da Caparica | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for size; summer for the sheltered lessons | Costa da Caparica |
| Fonte da Telha | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | Beginners | Year-round for learning; winter for cleaner days | Costa da Caparica |
| Guincho | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | Intermediates | Surf autumn to spring; wind and kite in summer | Guincho |
| Praia das Maçãs | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring; softer in summer | Praia Grande |
| Praia do Magoito | Lisbon and Cascais | Beach break | Intermediates | Winter has the most clean days | Praia Grande |
| São Pedro do Estoril | Lisbon and Cascais | Reef break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring, and on the big W swells that shut the open coast | Cascais |
| Parede | Lisbon and Cascais | Reef break | Advanced surfers | Autumn and winter, on the bigger swells | Carcavelos |
| Praia do Amado | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for quality; year-round for lessons | Carrapateira |
| São Torpes | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | All levels | Year-round; summer for learners, autumn and winter for size | Sines |
| Odeceixe | Costa Vicentina | Rivermouth | Beginners | Spring to autumn for the calmest river-mouth conditions | Odeceixe |
| Vila Nova de Milfontes | Costa Vicentina | Rivermouth | Beginners | Spring to autumn for the calmest estuary conditions | Vila Nova de Milfontes |
| Arrifana | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring; workable much of the year | Arrifana |
| Monte Clérigo | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring | Arrifana |
| Praia da Bordeira | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn and winter | Carrapateira |
| Zambujeira do Mar | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | Intermediates | Spring and autumn; winter big and cold | Zambujeira do Mar |
| Almograve | Costa Vicentina | Beach break | Advanced surfers | Spring and autumn; winter is big and cold | Almograve |
| Martinhal | Algarve | Beach break | All levels | Summer afternoons, when the nortada blows | Sagres |
| Praia da Rocha | Algarve | Beach break | All levels | Winter for the jetty left; small and easy most of the summer | Portimão |
| Alvor | Algarve | Beach break | Beginners | Autumn to spring for surf; summer thermal wind for the estuary | Alvor |
| Fuseta (Ria Formosa) | Algarve | Beach break | Beginners | June to September for the steady afternoon wind | Fuseta |
| Mareta | Algarve | Beach break | Beginners | Autumn to spring for swell; sheltered enough to surf on windy west-coast days | Sagres |
| Meia Praia | Algarve | Beach break | Beginners | Autumn to spring, and on rare summer south swells | Lagos |
| Castelejo | Algarve | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn, before winter storms flatten the banks | Vila do Bispo |
| Cordoama | Algarve | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn; struggles in the big winter swells | Vila do Bispo |
| Tonel | Algarve | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring; the west coast is biggest and cleanest then | Sagres |
| Beliche | Algarve | Beach break | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring | Sagres |
| Zavial | Algarve | Point break | Advanced surfers | December to February for the right; tiny in summer | Vila do Bispo |
| Machico | Madeira | Beach break | Beginners | Winter for the northeast swell; workable in summer on rare south swell | Machico |
| Fajã da Areia | Madeira | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn and winter | São Vicente |
| Jardim do Mar | Madeira | Point break | Advanced surfers | October to March | Jardim do Mar |
| Paul do Mar | Madeira | Reef break | Experts only | Autumn and winter | Paul do Mar |
| Porto da Cruz | Madeira | Reef break | Experts only | Autumn and winter | Porto da Cruz |
| Monte Verde | Azores | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Ribeira Grande |
| Praia da Vitória | Azores | Reef break | All levels | Autumn to spring | Praia da Vitória |
| Praia das Milícias | Azores | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring, when south swells arrive | Ponta Delgada |
| Santa Bárbara | Azores | Beach break | All levels | Autumn to spring for size; surfable year-round | Ribeira Grande |
| Contendas | Azores | Reef break | Intermediates | When south swells arrive, mostly autumn to spring | Praia da Vitória |
| Porto Martins | Azores | Point break | Intermediates | Autumn to spring, on big NW swells | Praia da Vitória |
| Rabo de Peixe | Azores | Point break | Advanced surfers | Autumn to spring, on the big north swells | Ribeira Grande |
Norte
Aguçadoura
A sand-bottom beach break north of Póvoa de Varzim with lefts and rights for every level. Regular surf, moderate crowds, and a working village behind the dunes.
All levelsAutumn to spring
Cabedelo (Viana do Castelo)
The beach across the Lima estuary from Viana do Castelo, and one of the best-known kitesurf spots in Portugal. Reliable summer wind, flat water inside the river-mouth wall for foiling, and waves on a solid winter swell.
All levelsKiting March to October; surf in autumn and winter
Espinho
A town built right on the sand south of Porto, with a line of groynes that shape the sandbanks and a long shortboard and longboard heritage. Peaks are punchy and can be very good on the right bank.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
Furadouro
A quiet dune-backed beach near Ovar, exposed and consistent, one of the more reliable beach breaks on the northern coast. Uncrowded, with peaks along its length.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
Leca da Palmeira
A beach break just north of Leixões harbour, beside Álvaro Siza's famous tidal pools. Exposed to every west swell, with barrels on offshore mornings and a hard paddle when it is big.
IntermediatesAutumn and winter; comes alive in winter storms
Matosinhos
Porto's home beach, a metro ride from the city, with a long sandy stretch between two harbour walls and a busy scene of surf schools. Sheltered and forgiving at the south end.
BeginnersYear-round; autumn and spring the pick, winter cold and biggerCentro
Buarcos
The sheltered north end of Figueira da Foz bay, in the fishing quarter of Buarcos, tucked under the Cabo Mondego headland. Gentler and far more forgiving than the powerful Cabedelo left at the river end of the same bay.
All levelsAutumn to spring; a dependable option when Cabedelo is too big
Cabedelo
A long, powerful left that breaks off the training wall at the mouth of the Mondego river in Figueira da Foz. On the right sandbank it is one of the best lefts in the country and has held WSL and national events.
Advanced surfersAutumn to spring
Praia da Barra
The beach where the Ria de Aveiro meets the Atlantic, organised by a 500-metre breakwater at the port entrance. Quality banks on a west swell, and it can hold clean in a light north wind when the neighbours are blown out.
IntermediatesWinter
Praia de Mira
The beach of a quiet resort village on the long sandy coast south of Aveiro, with friendly banks that suit learners. Rarely crowded, but very exposed to the wind.
BeginnersYear-round for learning; winter for clean days
São Pedro de Moel
The best-known wave on the near-empty 80 km of coast between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré, below a small seaside village. Very consistent, working on almost any swell and tide.
IntermediatesYear-round; very consistentSilver Coast
Areia Branca
A compact, partly sheltered bay at Lourinhã, between Peniche and Santa Cruz, with a cluster of long-established surf schools. A dependable learner wave that takes the edge off a bigger swell.
BeginnersYear-round; summer smallest and best for lessons
Cantinho da Baia
The most sheltered corner of the Baleal bay, tucked against the Peniche side. Small, soft and forgiving, and the spot most Peniche schools use for a first lesson. Rarely flat.
BeginnersYear-round; small and gentle May to August
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 Arelho
Where the Óbidos lagoon meets the Atlantic: an open ocean beach break on one side and a flat, shallow lagoon for kite and windsurf on the other. A two-in-one spot backed by a big car park.
All levelsAutumn to spring for surf; summer thermal wind for the lagoon
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
Lagide
A long, mellow left-hand reef on the Baleal side of the peninsula, popular with longboarders and improvers. One of the more forgiving reef waves on this coast and a natural step up from the Baleal beach break.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring, but rideable much of the year
Molhe Leste
The beach break next to the eastern breakwater at Peniche, just along from Supertubos. A more forgiving wave than its famous neighbour, and the spot the crowd moves to when Supertubos is out of control or blown out by the north wind.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
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 spring
Peniche & Baleal
The whole peninsula in one guide: why Peniche works almost year-round, where Supertubos and Baleal fit, and how locals pick a spot by the day's wind and tide.
All levelsAutumn to spring for the biggest, most consistent swell; summer smaller and better for learning
Praia do Norte
The wave behind the Nazaré big-wave phenomenon. An underwater canyon funnels and amplifies Atlantic swell onto this beach, producing the largest surf ridden anywhere. A tow-in and big-wave arena, not a normal surf spot at any size.
Experts onlyNovember to March
Prainha
A small, sheltered cove on the Peniche peninsula that stays surfable when the exposed breaks are out of hand. A calm, forgiving wave used by schools on bigger days.
BeginnersYear-round; a reliable option when the exposed breaks are too bigRibeira 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
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
Supertubos
The beach break that made Peniche famous: fast, hollow barrels over a sandbar, both ways with better lefts. Europe's answer to Pipeline and a long-time WSL Championship Tour venue.
Advanced surfersOctober to March, February often the pick
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 swellsLisbon and Cascais
Carcavelos
Lisbon's home beach and the busiest wave in Portugal on a good day. A wide, forgiving beach break one stop from the city on the Cascais train line, with a fort at one end and peaks spread along the sand.
All levelsAutumn to spring
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
Guincho
An exposed dune beach below the Sintra hills. The summer nortada makes it one of Europe's best wind and kite spots; in the calmer months it is a serious, current-heavy beach break.
IntermediatesSurf autumn to spring; wind and kite in summerParede
A right-hand rock reef on the Cascais train line that sleeps most of the year and wakes up on a big west or south-west swell. A local's wave for experienced surfers, not a learner's beach.
Advanced surfersAutumn and winter, on the bigger swells
Praia Grande
A wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills, with a powerful right-hand reef at its northern end that has hosted world-tour surf and bodyboard events. Something here for every level, depending on the day and where you paddle out.
All levelsAutumn to spring; summer smaller and good for learningPraia das Maçãs
A beach break tucked under the cliffs at the end of the Sintra tram line, a few minutes north of Praia Grande. Punchy and fun at low tide, tight and dumpy on the push.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; softer in summer
Praia do Magoito
A wide, cliff-backed beach on the wild northern stretch of the Sintra coast, picking up groundswell that misses the bays further south. Quieter than Praia Grande, with nothing to hide behind when the north wind blows.
IntermediatesWinter has the most clean 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 lessons
São Pedro do Estoril
A rock-reef break on the Cascais train line that comes alive when a south swell or a large wrapping west swell hits. A long, workable wall favoured by longboarders, and the venue for the national longboard finals.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring, and on the big W swells that shut the open coastCosta Vicentina
Almograve
A cluster of cliff-backed beaches down a quiet road south of Vila Nova de Milfontes. Powerful and exposed swell magnets, for confident surfers only once there is size.
Advanced surfersSpring and autumn; winter is big and cold
Arrifana
A cliff-ringed bay near Aljezur, partly protected by a headland and an offshore rock stack. That shelter makes it one of the more forgiving spots on an otherwise heavy stretch of the west coast.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; workable much of the year
Monte Clérigo
A north-west-facing beach below a small hamlet near Aljezur, with sand to the north, rocks to the south and a stream that shapes the banks. Few surfers even on good days, and wind is the main thing to watch.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring
Odeceixe
Where the Seixe river meets the sea on the Alentejo-Algarve border. A sheltered river-mouth bank suits beginners at low tide; the open sea side is a heavier, exposed beach break.
BeginnersSpring to autumn for the calmest river-mouth conditions
Praia da Bordeira
A huge, dune-backed beach at the mouth of the Ribeira da Bordeira, just north of Carrapateira. A long left under the cliffs at low tide and fast rights into the rivermouth on the push.
IntermediatesAutumn and winter
Praia do Amado
A wide sand bay south of Carrapateira and one of the most reliable surf beaches in the south-west, with enough peaks to spread a crowd. Surf schools all year, and real waves for experienced surfers in winter.
All levelsAutumn to spring for quality; year-round for lessons
São Torpes
A long sand beach just south of Sines, with its best peaks against the jetty at the north end, sheltered from the summer north wind. Gentle for learners on small days, hollow and fast on a solid swell.
All levelsYear-round; summer for learners, autumn and winter for size
Vila Nova de Milfontes
The main town on the southwest coast, at the mouth of the Mira river. The sheltered estuary beach is a calm learner spot; heavier open beach breaks sit a short drive away.
BeginnersSpring to autumn for the calmest estuary conditions
Zambujeira do Mar
A cliff-top village with a beach below the church and more peaks a walk in either direction. Remote, cold and lightly surfed, with exposed beach breaks that reward local knowledge.
IntermediatesSpring and autumn; winter big and coldAlgarve
Alvor
A fishing village on an estuary in the central Algarve, with a wide ocean beach break on one side and a tidal lagoon used for kite and wing on the other. Gentle and quiet, good for first steps in either.
BeginnersAutumn to spring for surf; summer thermal wind for the estuary
Beliche
A cliff-ringed beach between Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente, reached by a long stairway. More exposed and more powerful than Tonel, with a fast, hollow wave for confident surfers.
Advanced surfersAutumn to spring
Castelejo
A wild west-coast beach below dark cliffs north of Cape St Vincent, picking up almost any Atlantic swell. Fun peaks on smaller days, advanced-only above head-high, and very exposed to the wind.
IntermediatesAutumn, before winter storms flatten the banks
Cordoama
A long, open beach of white sand below high cliffs next to Castelejo, with powerful beach-break peaks that can get hollow. Reliable on NW groundswell, but exposed to the wind.
IntermediatesAutumn; struggles in the big winter swells
Fuseta (Ria Formosa)
A shallow, flat lagoon inside the Ria Formosa barrier islands, with a dependable summer sea breeze and warm water. One of the easiest places in Portugal to learn to kite or wing.
BeginnersJune to September for the steady afternoon wind
Mareta
The south-facing town beach at Sagres, tucked out of the west wind and swell. Gentle and forgiving, the main learner wave in Sagres and the go-to when the west coast is too big or too windy.
BeginnersAutumn to spring for swell; sheltered enough to surf on windy west-coast days
Martinhal
A sheltered bay just east of Sagres where the summer north wind blows offshore across flat water: one of the few windsurfing spots in the western Algarve. Hardly ever any surf, and that is the point.
All levelsSummer afternoons, when the nortada blows
Meia Praia
A long, sheltered sandy beach on the south coast at Lagos, gentle and shallow-gradient. A fine learner wave when the south coast has swell, which is the catch: it is flat far more than it breaks.
BeginnersAutumn to spring, and on rare summer south swells
Praia da Rocha
Portimão's long town beach, about 1.5 km of sand below the Santa Catarina fortress, with gentle beach-break peaks on small swells. On a solid south-west swell a hollow left runs off the breakwater at the river mouth.
All levelsWinter for the jetty left; small and easy most of the summer
Tonel
The west-facing beach at Sagres, a short walk from town. Far more exposed than the south-coast beaches, so it holds swell when everywhere sheltered is flat, but it is powerful and shifty.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; the west coast is biggest and cleanest then
Zavial
A small bay south of Raposeira with one of the heaviest waves in the Algarve: a fast, hollow right that peels off the rocks at the west end. On winter swells it is for experienced surfers; in summer the beach is often knee-high.
Advanced surfersDecember to February for the right; tiny in summerMadeira
Fajã da Areia
The north-coast spot that made São Vicente known for surfing, among the volcanic landscapes of Madeira's quieter side. Lefts and rights for intermediate and advanced surfers, and still uncrowded.
IntermediatesAutumn and winter
Jardim do Mar
A long right-hand point on Madeira's southwest coast, world-class before a 2003 seawall shortened it and made it more dangerous. Still a heavy, high-quality wave on a big clean swell, for experienced surfers only.
Advanced surfersOctober to March
Machico
A sheltered bay in eastern Madeira with one of the island's only real sand beaches, imported from Morocco. Gentle and forgiving, and the island's main place to learn to surf.
BeginnersWinter for the northeast swell; workable in summer on rare south swell
Paul do Mar
A powerful right-hand reef in front of a fishing village on Madeira's sunny south-west coast, known for hollow, cylindrical waves on a solid swell. Strictly for advanced and expert surfers.
Experts onlyAutumn and winter
Porto da Cruz
A north-coast village where Madeira's first surf school opened in 2010. The reef in front of the seafront is consistent on a north swell, but a newer seawall has made it an expert-only wave.
Experts onlyAutumn and winterAzores
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 spring
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
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 spring
Praia 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-round