Beach break · Ericeira, Silver Coast · 38°56′N 9°25′W
São Julião
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.
São Julião is a wide, sand-bottomed beach a few kilometres south of Ericeira, on the line between the Mafra and Sintra coasts. It is the most exposed beach in the area and picks up more swell than almost anywhere nearby, so it is the reliable option when the reserve reefs are too small to break.
On a small day at mid tide the peaks are soft and there are usually several surf schools working the sand; it is one of the two main learner beaches for Ericeira, along with Foz do Lizandro. As the swell builds it turns into a powerful, shifting beach break with heavy rips, and it stops being a beginner wave quickly.
Left and right peaks, best on a west swell with an offshore easterly. There is a car park and a beach cafe; it fills on a good summer day.
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
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 learningPedra 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.
Experts onlyAutumn to spring
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 São Julião?
- São Julião is a beach break. It wants W swell; catches more than anywhere nearby swell and works best with offshore from the e / se wind.
- Is São Julião good for beginners?
- Yes — it's rated all levels and works for people who are learning.
- When's the best time for São Julião?
- Year-round; biggest and cleanest autumn to winter.
- What should I watch out for at São Julião?
- Strong rips on any size; fast-shifting peaks; busy with schools on small days