wavesdays

When to surf · Silver Coast

Nazaré 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 Nazaré
Photo: Alexkom000 · CC BY 4.0

Nazaré

Nazaré has two seasons. November to March is big-wave season, when the canyon fires and people come to watch from the headland, not to surf. The rest of the year the town beach is an ordinary, quiet beach break, fine for learners in the warmer months.

Spring

Spots here

Nazaré
Praia do Norte
Beach break · Nazaré

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.

Experts onlyNovember to March