wavesdays

When to surf · Lisbon and Cascais

Cascais in April

Mid-spring. Swell dropping to a friendly size, water slowly warming, and the Easter weekend brings the first national contest of the year to Figueira da Foz. Still quiet on the beaches.

Surfing at Cascais
Photo: Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0

Cascais

For the Cascais town beaches, only a big winter swell wakes them up. Guincho surfs best autumn to spring; through summer it belongs to the wind and kite crowd on the afternoon nortada. Beginners are better off taking the train out to Carcavelos or Caparica in any season.

Spring

Spots here

Cascais
São Pedro do Estoril
Reef break · Cascais

São Pedro do Estoril

A rock-reef break on the Cascais train line that comes alive when a south swell or a large wrapping west swell hits. A long, workable wall favoured by longboarders, and the venue for the national longboard finals.

IntermediatesAutumn to spring, and on the big W swells that shut the open coast