Reef break · Ericeira, Silver Coast
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.
Pedra Branca breaks off the rocks at the northern edge of Ericeira town and is generally rated the best left in the World Surfing Reserve. It starts working on a small swell and holds size, and on its day it throws a fast, hollow wall that barrels.
It is an expert wave and nothing less. The take-off is steep and shallow, straight over a reef that dries out at low tide, and a mistake means hitting rock. The line-up is small and local. Watch it from the cliff, be honest about your level, and if you are not sure, you do not belong out there.
Best on a south-west swell with a north-east wind, mid to high tide.
Schools & rentals near here
Ericeira Waves
A surf school that teaches only at Ribeira d'Ilhas, the long, forgiving right at the heart of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, with Portuguese Surf Federation instructors.
Surf
Rapture Surfcamps Ericeira
A surf camp in a Portuguese villa a few metres from Foz do Lizandro, a mellow beach break that suits lessons, with easy reach of the reserve's other spots.
Surf
Blue Ocean Ericeira Surf School
A surf school based right on Ribeira d'Ilhas beach, inside the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, running lessons and multi-day courses for every level with equipment included.
SurfFrom EUR 40 / lessonEvents here
Alto Pro Am
A surf contest that does not take itself seriously: competitors draw a random secondhand board before every heat, so style and adaptability beat power surfing.
15 September 2026 – 20 September 2026Ericeira, around the town beaches
EDP Ericeira Pro
A WSL Challenger Series event at Ribeira d'Ilhas, the reef at the heart of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve.
6 October 2026 – 12 October 2026Praia de Ribeira d'IlhasNearby
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 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
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 MarchCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Pedra Branca?
- Pedra Branca is a reef break. It wants SW swell swell and works best with offshore from the ne wind.
- Is Pedra Branca good for beginners?
- No — it's rated experts only and is for experienced surfers only.
- When's the best time for Pedra Branca?
- Autumn to spring.
- What should I watch out for at Pedra Branca?
- Very shallow reef, fast dry take-off, rocks and urchins, territorial line-up