Beach break · Praia Grande, Lisbon and Cascais · 38°52′N 9°27′W
Praia do Magoito
A wide, cliff-backed beach on the wild northern stretch of the Sintra coast, picking up groundswell that misses the bays further south. Quieter than Praia Grande, with nothing to hide behind when the north wind blows.
Magoito sits below high cliffs north of Praia das Macas, reached down the Estrada de Santa Marta. The cliffs to the south show layers of limestone laid down when the sea was far higher, and a fossil dune about 10,000 years old. A wooden boardwalk runs down the Ribeira da Mata valley, with step-free access to the beach.
The wave
An exposed beach break that takes most of its surf from groundswell, with peaks shifting along the sand from season to season. It picks up swell well, which also means it maxes out quickly on the bigger winter days.
Who it is for
Intermediates. The beach is officially classed as dangerous for swimming because of its currents, so it is not a place to learn without a school. When it is small and clean it can be fun for improvers who stay close to the lifeguards.
When
W to SW groundswell with an E or SE wind. It has no shelter from the northerly winds that blow most summer afternoons, so mornings and winter days are the time. Winter has the most clean sessions.
Schools & rentals near here
Aldeia da Praia
A surf and yoga camp right on Praia das Macas near Sintra, with dorms, doubles and en-suite family tents, two-hour lessons with gear and insurance included, and day trips to Cabo da Roca and Pena Palace.
Surf
Edu Shapes
Eduardo Garcia shapes a full range out of Praia das Macas, from performance shortboards and mid-lengths to guns and tow boards tested at Nazare. Custom only, more than twenty years in.
Surf
Portugal Surf Factory
A production factory near Sintra that builds boards for international shapers - Dylan Longbottom, John Carper, Gary Linden among them - plus big-wave boards and repairs.
SurfPraia Grande Surf School
A surf and bodyboard school based right on Praia Grande at Colares, the wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills.
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 / lessonNearby
Praia das Macas
A beach break tucked under the cliffs at the end of the Sintra tram line, a few minutes north of Praia Grande. Punchy and fun at low tide, tight and dumpy on the push.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; softer in summerPraia Grande
A wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills, with a powerful right-hand reef at its northern end that has hosted world-tour surf and bodyboard events. Something here for every level, depending on the day and where you paddle out.
All levelsAutumn to spring; summer smaller and good for learning
Sao Juliao
A big open beach break between Ericeira and the Sintra coast, known as the area swell magnet -- it has waves when the reserve reefs are flat. Beginner-friendly on a small mid tide, dangerous on size.
All levelsYear-round; biggest and cleanest autumn to winterCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Praia do Magoito?
- Praia do Magoito is a beach break. It wants W to SW groundswell swell and works best with offshore from the e / se; exposed to the n wind.
- Is Praia do Magoito 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 do Magoito?
- Winter has the most clean days.
- What should I watch out for at Praia do Magoito?
- Open, cliff-backed beach classed as dangerous for swimming, strong currents and rocks under the cliffs.