Beach break · Nazaré, Silver Coast · 39°37′N 9°05′W
Praia do Norte
The wave behind the Nazaré big-wave phenomenon. An underwater canyon funnels and amplifies Atlantic swell onto this beach, producing the largest surf ridden anywhere. A tow-in and big-wave arena, not a normal surf spot at any size.
Praia do Norte is the beach on the north side of the Nazaré headland, and it is the reason the town is on television every winter. The Nazaré Canyon, a deep undersea gorge that runs almost to the shore, bends and stacks incoming swell so that waves here can be several times the size of everywhere else on the coast on the same day.
Be clear about this
Praia do Norte is not a surf spot in the sense the rest of this site uses the word. On its big days it is a tow-in arena for a small group of specialists with skis, safety teams and years of preparation. The current is savage, the peaks shift and collide, and the shorebreak and the rocks under the fort have caused serious injuries and worse. People have been badly hurt walking on the sand.
If you have come to Nazaré
Watch from the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo by the lighthouse, the free clifftop viewpoint. It fills early on a called swell. For actually surfing, the town beach on the other side of the headland is an ordinary beach break and is covered in the Nazaré town guide.
When it breaks
A large NW groundswell in the November to March window, with an offshore E wind. The WSL calls the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge here on 24 to 48 hours notice when it all lines up.
Schools & rentals near here
Events here
Nearby
São Pedro de Moel
The best-known wave on the near-empty 80 km of coast between Figueira da Foz and Nazaré, below a small seaside village. Very consistent, working on almost any swell and tide.
IntermediatesYear-round; very consistent
Foz do Arelho
Where the Óbidos lagoon meets the Atlantic: an open ocean beach break on one side and a flat, shallow lagoon for kite and windsurf on the other. A two-in-one spot backed by a big car park.
All levelsAutumn to spring for surf; summer thermal wind for the lagoonCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Praia do Norte?
- Praia do Norte is a beach break. It wants Large NW groundswell, amplified by the offshore canyon swell and works best with offshore from the e / ne wind.
- Is Praia do Norte good for beginners?
- No — it's rated experts only and is for experienced surfers only.
- When's the best time for Praia do Norte?
- November to March.
- What should I watch out for at Praia do Norte?
- Among the most dangerous waves in the world: giant surf, brutal shifting currents, converging peaks, rocks and cliff at the south end, and a violent shorebreak. Not a spot to paddle out at to "see what it is like".