Beach break · Sagres, Algarve · 37°01′N 8°57′W
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.
Beliche is the beach just before the Cabo de São Vicente, hemmed in by high cliffs and reached down a long, steep staircase. It faces west-north-west and takes swell as directly as anywhere on this corner of the coast.
Who it is for
Advanced surfers. The wave is fast and often hollow, the shorebreak has weight, and the rips run hard toward the rocks at each end. The walk down and back up also filters the crowd.
When
W to NW swell, NE or E wind, low to mid tide. Autumn and winter bring the size. On a big, clean day it is one of the best waves around Sagres, but it is not a spot to underestimate.
Schools & rentals near here
Algarve Surf School
A surf school and camp based in Sagres since 1996, teaching at Praia da Mareta and Praia do Amado depending on wind and swell, with ASI-certified instructors and a free transfer from Lagos.
Surf
FreeRide Surfing
A surf school and camp in Sagres since 2002, with a year-round surf centre at the Memmo Baleeira hotel and a beach hut at Praia da Cordoama from June to November.
Surf
Good Feeling Surf School
A surf school and camp near Sagres, working since 1997 and certified by the Portuguese Surf Federation, teaching year-round on the beaches of the far southwest.
Surf
Sagres Natura Surf Camp
A long-running surf camp, school and shop in Sagres, with dorm accommodation, certified instructors for beginners through advanced, board rental, and a retail shop offering camp guests a discount.
SurfNearby
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
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 blowsCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Beliche?
- Beliche is a beach break. It wants W to NW; exposed, works from small to well overhead swell and works best with offshore from the ne / e wind.
- Is Beliche good for beginners?
- No — it's rated advanced surfers and is for experienced surfers only.
- When's the best time for Beliche?
- Autumn to spring.
- What should I watch out for at Beliche?
- A long cliff staircase to reach it, rocks at both ends, strong rips, and a fast, hollow wave that is heavier than it looks from the top.