Reef break · Ericeira, Silver Coast · 39°00′N 9°25′W
Ribeira d'Ilhas
The long, forgiving right-hand reef at the centre of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve. Peels down a cobblestone point and takes almost any level on the right day. Host of regular WSL junior and qualifying events.
Ribeira d'Ilhas is the wave most people picture when they think of Ericeira: a long right that breaks off a cobblestone point just north of town, with a workable wall and a channel to paddle out through. It is the centrepiece of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe.
On a small, clean swell it is one of the friendliest quality waves on the coast and schools use the inside for lessons. On a bigger north-west swell it lengthens and steepens and holds a competitive crowd. Low tide exposes rock and urchins on the inside, so mid tide is the safer call.
Schools & rentals near here
Activity Surf Center
An Ericeira surf school running since 2012, with lessons for every level across the town's beaches, plus board and wetsuit rental and a shop in the centre.
SurfEriceira Surfboard Rental
Board and wetsuit rental for the Ericeira area - soft-tops and hard-tops from 12 EUR a day, with delivery, roof racks and free board swaps.
SurfFrom EUR 12 / day
Ericeira Waves
A surf school in Santo Isidoro, Ericeira, since 2014, teaching on several beach breaks around the World Surfing Reserve with Portuguese Surf Federation instructors and groups of up to five.
Surf
Mica Surfboards
Mica Lourenço hand-shapes made-to-measure boards out of Carvoeira, minutes from the Ericeira reefs: grovellers, step-ups, eggs, classics and a full high-performance line.
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
Semente Surfboards
Portugal's most established performance surfboard label, shaping in Ericeira since the 1980s. Founded by American shaper Nick Uricchio in the town at the centre of what is now the World Surfing Reserve.
Surf
Wavegliders
An Ericeira surf shop and shaping room in one - hand-shaped boards by Nico alongside a classic-leaning shop, in the town at the centre of the World Surfing Reserve.
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
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 MarchSão Lourenço
The northernmost break of the Ericeira reserve: an exposed reef with multiple peaks that works most of the year for advanced surfers and turns into a genuine big-wave wave when a large north swell hits.
Advanced surfersAutumn to spring; a tow spot on the biggest swells
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 AprilCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Ribeira d'Ilhas?
- Ribeira d'Ilhas is a reef break. It wants NW to W swell swell and works best with offshore from the ne / e wind.
- Is Ribeira d'Ilhas good for beginners?
- Yes — it's rated all levels and works for people who are learning.
- When's the best time for Ribeira d'Ilhas?
- Year-round, best autumn to spring.
- What should I watch out for at Ribeira d'Ilhas?
- Rocks and urchins on the inside at low tide, crowds on a good swell