Sines
Beach breakAll levels
A long beach south of Sines, easy when small and barrelling on good days.
That corner is the area's big advantage: with a northerly wind, the most common one, the south coast works (Zavial, Beliche, Lagos), and with an easterly, the west coast. In Sagres you can pick a side within ten minutes' drive. It's one of the areas in Europe with the most surf camps and a mild climate all year; the water is 15–16 °C in winter and 19–21 °C in summer on the south coast, a little colder on the west.
Map
Odemira
ReefIntermediate
Waves over rock by the mouth of the Mira river, in a charming village.
Odemira
ReefIntermediate
A wild beach between cliffs, with rock peaks and almost always few people.
Odemira
Beach breakIntermediate
The beach below Zambujeira village, with a left by the rocks.
Aljezur
RivermouthAll levels
A spectacular beach at the mouth of the Seixe river, on the border between Alentejo and the Algarve.
Aljezur
Beach breakIntermediate
A small beach hamlet near Aljezur, with good waves and few people.
Aljezur
Point breakExpert
A bay below cliffs with a fun beach break and a big right point.
Carrapateira (Aljezur)
Beach breakAll levels
A huge beach with dunes and a river at Carrapateira, with peaks all along.
Carrapateira (Aljezur)
Beach breakAll levels
The western Algarve's surf beach: schools, rentals and peaks for everyone.
Vila do Bispo
Beach breakIntermediate
A beach between dark cliffs near Vila do Bispo, with very clear water.
Sagres
Beach breakIntermediate
Sagres' west-coast beach: hollow peaks at low tide.
Sagres
Beach breakIntermediate
A cove below the cliffs of Cape São Vicente, sheltered from the northerly wind.
Vila do Bispo
Point breakExpert
The Algarve south coast's powerful right, which wakes up with big winter swells.
Lagos
Beach breakBeginner
Lagos' big bay: soft waves for learning when a southerly swell arrives.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Torpes | Beach break | All levels | W, SW, NW | E, NE | All tides |
| Vila Nova de Milfontes | Reef | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Almograve | Reef | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE | Mid |
| Zambujeira do Mar | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Odeceixe | Rivermouth | All levels | NW, W | E, SE, NE | All tides |
| Monte Clérigo | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Arrifana | Point break | Expert | W, NW, SW | N, NE, E | All tides |
| Bordeira | Beach break | All levels | W, NW | E, SE, NE | Mid |
| Praia do Amado | Beach break | All levels | W, SW, NW | E, NE | All tides |
| Castelejo | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW | E, SE | Mid to high |
| Tonel | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, SE | Low to mid |
| Beliche | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | N, NW, NE | Mid to high |
| Zavial | Point break | Expert | W, SW, S | N, NW, NE | Low to mid |
| Meia Praia | Beach break | Beginner | SW, S, SE | N, NW, NE | Mid to high |
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.
Which wetsuit to bring
The water is around 15 °C in winter and 20 °C in late summer.
4/3 wetsuit
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
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5 mm booties
Warm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
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Shapers in Alentejo and Algarve
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.