When to surf · Silver Coast

Nazaré in February

Still full winter, still the biggest surf. Storms roll through in sequence. The Algarve's south coast is the fallback when the west is closed out, and the Nazaré big-wave window is open.

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

1 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

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