Region 01 · 13 spots
Surfing in
Portugal
Portugal has 13 spots in The European Surf Atlas, from Nazaré to Tonel. The best months are Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec, and the water runs from about 15 °C in winter to 19 °C in summer.
- Best months
- Jan · Feb · Oct · Nov · Dec
- Water
- 15° / 19°
- Spots
- 13
- Levels
- 4 beginner4 intermediate3 advanced2 expert
Average of all 13 spots. Single spots can work outside the peak.
The spots
- 001NazaréSpectator spotPraia do Norte, Nazaré · Beach break peak
Home of the biggest waves ever surfed, focused by a deep sea canyon and best watched from the fort.
Big-wave pros only - 002BalealPraia do Baleal, Peniche · Beach break
A sheltered bay behind Baleal island with soft peaks, the heart of Portugal's surf camp scene.
Beginner friendly - 003LagideLagide, Baleal (Peniche) · Reef
A long walling left over reef right in front of the car park, Baleal's step up from the beach.
Intermediate and up - 004SupertubosPraia do Medão, Peniche · Beach break
Europe's heaviest beach-break barrel: hollow, fast and shallow, and on its day as good as anywhere in the world.
Advanced - 005Molhe LestePeniche harbour, Peniche · Sandbar by jetty
A right that runs off Peniche harbour wall and can throw some of the region's best barrels.
Advanced on big days - 006CoxosRibamar, north of Ericeira · Reef point
Heavy, hollow right-hand reef point and the showpiece of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve.
Experts only - 007Ribeira d'IlhasEriceira · Reef point
Long, reliable right-hand reef point and Ericeira's main contest venue, rarely without a wave.
Intermediate - 008Foz do LizandroEriceira · Beach and river mouth
Sandy river-mouth beach break south of Ericeira, the area's go-to spot for learners and small days.
Beginner to intermediate - 009CarcavelosCascais, west of Lisbon · Beach break
Lisbon's best-known beach break: punchy peaks inside the Tagus mouth, cleaned up by north winds.
All levels - 010Costa da CaparicaAlmada, south of Lisbon · Beach and jetty
Long sandy coast with groyne-shaped banks right next to Lisbon, with a peak for nearly every level.
Beginner to intermediate - 011ArrifanaAljezur, Algarve · Reef point
A heavy right point over boulders beneath tall cliffs, with a sandy beginner beach right beside it.
Point advanced, beach beginner - 012AmadoPraia do Amado, Carrapateira · Beach break
A wide, consistent west-facing beach with shifting peaks, the surf school classroom of the Costa Vicentina.
Beginner to intermediate - 013TonelPraia do Tonel, Sagres · Beach peaks
Sagres' home beach, open to S to NW swell and partly sheltered from the north winds that ruin the west coast.
Improvers; advanced when big
Swell window, offshore wind, tide, size, hazards, access and a Plan B for every spot are on the spot cards in the atlas.
Getting there
Fly to Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO) or Faro (FAO). Lisbon is under 1 h from Ericeira and about 1.5 h from Peniche. By road from Spain via the A25 or A6 motorways.
A car or van is close to essential. Rede Expressos buses link Lisbon with Peniche, Ericeira, Nazaré and Lagos but rarely reach the breaks.
Bases: Ericeira, Peniche/Baleal, Nazaré for big days, Sagres or Aljezur in the southwest. Surf camps and hostels in all of them.
The European Surf Atlas
All 13 spot cards for Portugal, plus 7 more regions.
The wind table tells you which spot is offshore today, the van and camping rules keep you out of trouble, and every card names a Plan B. 115 pages, €24.90 incl. VAT.