wavesdays

When to surf · Silver Coast

Nazaré in December

Winter sets in. Big, cold and serious on the west coast, with the Nazaré big-wave window open and called on the right forecast. Short days, low crowds. Beginners should stick to sheltered spots and small days or head south.

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.

Winter

Events here

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge1 Nov – 31 Mar
Competition · Nazaré

TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge

A one-day tow-in team contest at Praia do Norte, called by the WSL with 24 to 48 hours notice when the forecast tops roughly 40 feet of face and the wind lines up.

Praia do Norte

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