What kind of wave is Contendas?

Contendas is a reef break. It wants S, about 1 to 2 m swell and works best with offshore from the w wind.

Is Contendas good for beginners?

Not for a first session. It's rated intermediate — better once you can paddle out and read a line-up on your own.

When's the best time for Contendas?

When south swells arrive, mostly autumn to spring.

What should I watch out for at Contendas?

Sea urchins all over the bottom (wear booties), and a rocky entry on the inside of the bay.

Reef break · Praia da Vitoria, Azores · 38°39′N 27°05′W

Contendas

Surf

A reef bay by the Contendas lighthouse near Sao Sebastiao, 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.

Contendas is a reef bay on the south-east corner of Terceira, by the Contendas lighthouse near the village of Sao Sebastiao. It faces the opposite way to the island's north-coast breaks, so it is the place to check when a south swell arrives.

The wave

A left-hander that works best on a S swell. Once the surf reaches about 2 metres the left starts to close out, and a right forms in the western corner of the bay. The Azores tourism board rates it three stars for quality, best at 1 to 2 metres.

Who it is for

Intermediate and experienced surfers. The bottom is covered in sea urchins, so wear booties, and you get in and out over the rocks on the inside of the bay.

When

S swell with a W wind, around mid tide. It is reached by car.

Nearby

Point break · Praia da Vitoria

Porto Martins

A left-hand point over rock at the village of Porto Martins, south of Praia da Vitoria: 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 swells

Reef break · Praia da Vitoria

Praia da Vitoria

The bay of Praia da Vitoria 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

Common questions

What kind of wave is Contendas?: Contendas is a reef break. It wants S, about 1 to 2 m swell and works best with offshore from the w wind.
Is Contendas good for beginners?: Not for a first session. It's rated intermediate — better once you can paddle out and read a line-up on your own.
When's the best time for Contendas?: When south swells arrive, mostly autumn to spring.
What should I watch out for at Contendas?: Sea urchins all over the bottom (wear booties), and a rocky entry on the inside of the bay.