Beach break · Carrapateira, Costa Vicentina · 37°12′N 8°54′W
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.
Praia da Bordeira is a long, wild beach where the Ribeira da Bordeira stream reaches the sea, between the villages of Bordeira and Carrapateira in the Costa Vicentina natural park. The dunes are wide enough that the walk from the car park is part of the trip, and the beach rarely feels crowded even in summer.
The wave
The seasonal rivermouth keeps the sandbanks moving, which shapes two classic set-ups. At low tide a long left winds off the cliffs below the Carrapateira car park. From mid to high tide, fast and often hollow rights run towards the rivermouth. A point at the far end only works on a higher tide, as the swell wraps around the cliffs.
Who it is for
Intermediates. On a small day with a school it can work for improvers, but the currents are strong, there is a shorebreak, and the long walk means help is far away.
When
NW swell is the classic, with an E or SE wind. The usual summer north-westerly blows cross-onshore, though rarely as hard as at Sagres. Autumn and winter bring the cleanest days. Be careful on the rivermouth side: the rips pull hard and tend to drag you north.
Nearby
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
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 yearCordoama
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 swellsCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Praia da Bordeira?
- Praia da Bordeira is a beach break. It wants NW best; works SW to N swell and works best with offshore from the e / se wind.
- Is Praia da Bordeira 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 Praia da Bordeira?
- Autumn and winter.
- What should I watch out for at Praia da Bordeira?
- Strong rips that pull north up the beach, shorebreak, and a long walk across the dunes.