Last updated on December 5th, 2023 at 06:01 pm
If you are looking for the best surf spots in Portugal, you came to the right place. In this surf guide to Portugal, you will find all the information you need for your next surf trip, including general travel info, surf seasons, and the best surf beaches in Portugal.
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About Surfing in Portugal
Portugal’s surf scene has been growing fast in the past decade. It built a great reputation in the world’s surf community and became famous for its fantastic waves. In fact, beaches like Ericeira, Supertubos, and Nazare recently put Portugal on the world’s surf map as a home for big waves and epic surf conditions.
Portugal is located in Western Europe, and it is one of the warmest countries on the continent. With its Mediterranean climate and coastline that faces the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal offers a huge variety of surf spots. For instance, you can find here beach breaks, points, and reefs just next to each other. Also, due to the diversity of its coastline, different beaches face different swell directions. Therefore, anyone who comes to surf in Portugal will find the right wave for himself on any given day, regardless of the swell conditions.
To clarify, surfing in Portugal is not only about big waves and massive barrels. If you know where to look, anyone at any skill level can have the best surf trip ever.
The Best Surf Spots in Portugal
Portugal’s coastline is amazingly diverse, and it can be divided into several different areas. In fact, if you look at the map, you will notice that some beaches are facing north, and some are facing south. Therefore, when surfing in Portugal, you can find good surf conditions at any swell and wind direction. In detail, these are some of the best surf spots in Portugal, from north to south:
Porto:
Break type- Beach breaks, points, and reefs.
Skill level- Advanced.
Description- Porto, up north, is the second largest city in Portugal. Due to its location, the water here is colder than the rest of the country. And yet, some of the best surf beaches in Portugal are found in this area. In general, the surf here is rough and definitely not beginner-friendly. The cold water and powerful waves make it a challenging mission for any surfer. The best surf spots in the area are Esphino, Azurara, Esmoriz, Matosinhos, and Cortegaca.
Buarcos, Figueira Da Foz:
Break type- Point break.
Skill level- Intermediate.
Description- Just in the middle of the coastline, between Lisbon and Porto, you will find this small town which hosts one of the best point breaks in the country. In fact, it is probably the longest wave in Portugal. Although you will have to paddle a long distance in order to make it to the end of the reef, your reward will be totally worth it. This right-hand point break opens up softly, section after section, and provides extremely long rides. Moreover, due to its distance from the big cities, you won’t have to deal with any crowds in the lineup. Buarcos is a hidden secret, so surf it while it is still undiscovered, as it is definitely one of the best surf spots in Portugal.
Praia do Norte, Nazare:
Break type- Big-wave spot.
Skill level- Advanced.
Description- Nazare is Portugal’s big wave’s capital. Actually, it is worldwide famous for its big waves, especially after 2011, when Garret Macnamara broke the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed, 23 meters high. Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa broke this record in 2017 when he surfed a 24-meter wave, and finally, the German surfer Sebastian Steudtner rode a 26-meter wave in 2020 and broke the world record once again.
What creates those giant waves in Nazare is an underwater canyon that lifts the winter’s Atlantic swells at a very steep angle. In short, if you are a big wave surfer (or a lunatic), Nazare is your Mecca. Otherwise, know your limits and stay away from the water here.
Peniche:
Break type- Beach break.
Skill level- All levels (except for Supertubos, which is for advanced surfers).
Description- This town, a 1.5-hour drive from Lisbon, is home to one of the most famous barreling beach breaks in the world, Supertubos. Each year in October, this beach hosts the greatest surfers in the world for the Rip Curl Pro Competition. If you are looking for perfect tube rides, this is where you want to be. However, Peniche offers much more than Supertubos. Since the town is situated on a peninsula, it has beaches that face both north and south. Therefore, depending on the swell and wind direction on a given day, you can choose where to surf and get perfect conditions. In the southern part of town, you can surf Supertubas and Bananas, and in the north, you have Papoa and Cantinho da Baia and the breaks of Baleal, Prainha, and Gigi.
(Read more about this spot in our post, surfing in Peniche).
Ericeira:
Break type- Beach breaks, Points, and reefs.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- Ericeira was recently announced as a surfing reserve. In fact, 99% of the people who come to surf in Portugal will hang out in Ericeira, as this is the most popular surf spot in Portugal. On the 5-mile coastline of Ericeira, you will find about 10 different surf spots. Some of these breaks are absolutely top quality. From beach breaks to hollow reef breaks and long rides on the point breaks, Ericeira has it all for any skill level. During the peak surf season (September to December), the swell is consistent, the winds blow offshore, and surfers from all over the world come here to enjoy a true surf town’s atmosphere. Although Ericeira has several great spots, the most famous ones are the reef break at Coxos, the beach break at San Juliao, and Praia da Ampa. For beginners, Foz do Lizandro is the easiest one to learn over a sandy bottom.
(Read more about this spot in our post surfing in Ericeira).
Lisbon:
Break type- Beach break and reef break.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- The Portuguese capital is a famous European tourist destination with great culture, nightlife, and everything you can expect from a big city. In addition, Lisbon has a great surf scene ready to be explored by anyone who comes to surf in Portugal. Yes, there are many locals in the water, and some pollution, but on the other hand, there is an amazing variety of surf spots of all kinds. The most popular spot in the Lisbon area is the beach break at Carcavelos, which is consistent 365 days a year. Also, there is the shallow reef break at Poca, which is amazing for advanced surfers. Finally, the break at Guincho is good for beginners during summertime and advanced surfers during winter.
Algarve:
Break type- Beach break, points, and reefs.
Skill level- All levels.
Description- The Algarve is the sunny holiday region of Portugal. It is situated in the most southern part of the country, in the warmest area in Europe. Due to its location, the water here is warmer than in the other areas, and there is a selection of over 50 different surf breaks. Sagres is the surf capital of the Algarve area. This beach town picks up the most swell and offers great consistency and variety of waves. The best spots here are Tonel, Praya do Martinhal, Beliche, and Praya de Luz.
If you are new to surfing and you are looking for beginner waves, check out our post about the best beginner surf beaches in Portugal.
Surf Seasons in Portugal
You can surf in Portugal year-round and always score good waves. However, it depends on which area you go to. Actually, it is kind of tricky, so if you want to score Portugal at its best, pay attention to the following guidelines:
In summertime, between May and September, the sun is always up, but the waves are pretty small. Due to the average swell size of 1-3 feet during these months, it is the best time for beginners to surf in Portugal. However, the exception to that is the southern part of the country, called the Algarve. Since this area is more exposed to the south swells, it actually performs best during the summer, and produces good size waves (unlike the rest of the country).
In winter, between January to April, the weather is cold and wet, and the swells are huge. In fact, during these months, the swell can get up to 10-20 feet (in Nazare, even more) and attracts big wave riders from all over the world. However, if you are not a pro surfer, the winter is just too harsh.
That being said, the absolute perfect time to surf Portugal is during the fall, between September and December. During these months, the swell is extremely consistent and offers good size (3-8 feet average). Moreover, at this time of year, the offshore winds blow almost every day and create epic glassy surf.
To sum up, if you want to surf Portugal at its best, go during the fall, especially in October and November.
Also, be aware that the water in Portugal is very cold all year long, ranging from around 15-20°C, so a long wetsuit is a must.
Surf Camps in Portugal
If you are a beginner making his first steps in the surfing world, the best way to explore the surf beaches of Portugal is at a surf camps. In detail, these are the most recommended ones:
1. Peniche Surf Camp– With a team of professional coaches and years of experience, the camp offers beginner and intermediate surfers a surf program.
For more details about surf camps in Peniche, please click here.
2. Baleal Surf Camp– Baleal Surf Camp is a family business. Established in 1993, it is one of the first surf camps in Portugal. By focusing on customer service and the environment, the camp has an excellent reputation as a place that will make you a better surfer and ensure you have a good time while doing so.
For more details about surf camps in Baleal, please click here.
3. Ericeira Surf Camp– Ericeira Surf Camp offers packages for different surf levels, with the option to combine it with other activities such as yoga, biking, and more.
For more details about surf camps in Ericeira, please click here.
Surf Hotels in Portugal
When coming to surf in Portugal, you want to make sure you stay in the right place, which means as close as possible to the waves. These are some of the most recommended surf hotels in the country:
1. Ribalta Beach Houses, Ericaira– Set 300 m from Sao Sebastiao Beach, Ribalta Beach House offers a garden, a terrace, accommodation with a balcony, and free WiFi.
2. Blue Buddha Beach Rooms & Suites, Ericeira– Situated directly on Ericeira’s beach, Blue Buddha Beach Rooms & Suites feature panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Free WiFi is available. Guests have easy access to surfing beaches, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
3. MH Atlantico, Peniche– Situated 500 m from sandy Consolação Beach, this 4-star hotel boasts views of the Atlantic Ocean. It has 1 indoor swimming pool and 1 exterior swimming pool and offers air-conditioned guestrooms.
4. SoulSurfcamp Portugal– Featuring sea views, barbecue facilities, and free WiFi, SoulSurfcamp Portugal features accommodation attractively located in Peniche, within a short distance of Baleal North Beach, Baleal Sul Beach and Baleal Camping Beach.
For more surf hotels in Portugal, check out our post about the best surf resorts in Portugal, or simply look for deals on Booking.com.
What Skill Level is Required to Surf in Portugal
There are many great surf spots in Portugal, so surfers of all levels can find breaks that suit their skills. For instance, beginners can surf mellow waves in spots like Gigi and Prainha in Baleal. Intermediate surfers, though, will find more challenging waves in Ericeira. And finally, if you are an advanced surfer, you can ride fantastic barrels at Supertubos in Peniche and Coxos in Ericeira.
Which Town in Portugal is Best to Stay At
On a surf trip, it is best to focus on one area to spend more time surfing and less traveling. However, there are many great surf beaches in Portugal, and sometimes it can be hard to choose where to stay. So, considering the waves and the general atmosphere, these are the most recommended locations to stay:
1. Ericeira– Ericeira is a perfect place for a surf trip. The town is surf-oriented, and there are waves for all skill levels.
2. Peniche– Whether you stay in the town of Peniche or in the nearby Baleal, you will have a variety of waves to ride. There are also great surf camps in this area.
3. Algarve– If you want to surf in Portugal in July and August, this area in the southern end of the country gets the best summer swells.
Portugal- Travel Information
Language- Portuguese.
Population- about 10 million.
Currency- Euro.
Calling code- +351.
Time zone- GMT 0/+1 (depending on the time of year).
Pros- A variety of surf spots and big waves.
Cons- cold water.
Conclusion- Final Thought
To sum up, Portugal is an amazing surf destination, maybe the best one in Europe. With such a great variety of surf spots, including a few world-class breaks with a worldwide reputation, it is absolutely a surf paradise. We hope you enjoyed reading this surf guide about the best surf spots in Portugal. Have a wonderful surf trip!
If you are looking for another surf trip close to Portugal, check out Morocco and the Canary Islands from south, or head north to the famous beach breaks in France.
