Beach break · Vila do Bispo, Algarve · 37°07′N 8°56′W
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.
Cordoama is a long, quiet stretch of white sand, close to 2 km, surrounded by cliffs, with a small stream running out across it. A paved road from Vila do Bispo ends at two car parks above the beach. The sea here is usually rough enough that the lifeguards fly a yellow flag.
The wave
Powerful beach-break peaks, lefts and rights, that can get hollow when the banks are good. There is an inside bank for the smaller days and an outer bank that works on bigger swells. Most of the surf comes from groundswell, and it struggles when the big winter swells arrive.
Who it is for
Intermediates. The power and the shorebreak make it a poor beginner beach unless a school has picked the day. The water stays cold all year: a 3/2 wetsuit in summer, full winter gear in winter.
When
NW groundswell with an E or SE wind, on any tide. It is more exposed to wind than Castelejo around the corner, so go early or on calm days. Autumn usually brings the best banks.
Nearby
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
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 lessonsZavial
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 summerCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Cordoama?
- Cordoama is a beach break. It wants NW groundswell; works SW to N swell and works best with offshore from the e / se wind.
- Is Cordoama 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 Cordoama?
- Autumn; struggles in the big winter swells.
- What should I watch out for at Cordoama?
- Powerful shorebreak, rips, rocks under the cliffs, and cold water even in summer.