wavesdays

When to surf · Lisbon and Cascais

Cascais in August

Still peak season and still small, but the first autumn pulses sometimes arrive late in the month. Water is at its warmest. The Sintra bodyboard world-tour event runs at Praia Grande in early September, on the shoulder of the month.

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.

Summer

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