Figueira da Foz
Point breakIntermediate
A right by the Mondego's south jetty, a regular contest venue.
The key to the area is the Peniche peninsula: because it has beaches facing north and others facing south, there's almost always one side with an offshore wind. Ericeira and the rest of the open coast face west and work with an easterly wind; Ericeira's reefs need a north-west swell and a good level. Water is 14–15 °C in winter and 17–19 °C in summer.
Map
Figueira da Foz
Point breakIntermediate
A series of long rights sheltered by Cape Mondego, which work in big swell.
Marinha Grande
Beach breakIntermediate
A village among pine forests with sand and rock waves, and far fewer people than Nazaré or Peniche.
Nazaré
Beach breakExpert
The most famous giant wave in the world, amplified by the Nazaré submarine canyon.
Peniche
Beach breakBeginner
Baleal bay: Portugal's most famous learning beach, full of surf schools and camps.
Peniche
ReefIntermediate
A reef left in Baleal bay, easy when small and good for everyone when bigger.
Peniche
Beach breakExpert
The «European Pipeline»: heavy barrels over sand and home of a world tour event.
Peniche
Beach breakIntermediate
A right by the Peniche harbour jetty, with conditions similar to Supertubos.
Peniche
Point breakExpert
A right point south of Peniche that wakes up in big swell.
Torres Vedras
Beach breakAll levels
A surf town between Peniche and Ericeira, with lots of beaches and a bodyboarding tradition.
Ericeira (Mafra)
ReefExpert
A powerful right north of Ericeira that needs big swell.
Ericeira (Mafra)
ReefExpert
Ericeira's most famous and heaviest right: barrels and powerful walls over rock.
Ericeira (Mafra)
ReefIntermediate
A long, regular right over rock, an international contest venue.
Ericeira (Mafra)
ReefExpert
One of Ericeira's few lefts and, when it works, one of the best waves in Portugal.
Ericeira (Mafra)
RivermouthAll levels
Ericeira's sand beach, at the mouth of the Lizandro river: waves for everyone.
Conditions at a glance
| Spot | Wave type | Level | Best swell | Best wind (offshore) | Tide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabedelo | Point break | Intermediate | NW, W | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Buarcos | Point break | Intermediate | NW, N, W | N, NE, E | All tides |
| São Pedro de Moel | Beach break | Intermediate | W, NW, SW | E, NE | Mid |
| Nazaré (Praia do Norte) | Beach break | Expert | W, NW | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Baleal | Beach break | Beginner | NW, N, W | S, SE, SW | All tides |
| Lagide | Reef | Intermediate | NW, N, W | S, SE, SW | Mid to high |
| Supertubos | Beach break | Expert | W, SW, NW | N, NE, E | Mid to high |
| Molhe Leste | Beach break | Intermediate | SW, W | N, NE, E | Low to mid |
| Consolação | Point break | Expert | W, NW, SW | N, NE, E | Low to mid |
| Santa Cruz | Beach break | All levels | W, NW, SW | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| São Lourenço | Reef | Expert | NW, W | E, SE | Mid |
| Coxos | Reef | Expert | NW, W | E, SE, NE | Low to mid |
| Ribeira d'Ilhas | Reef | Intermediate | NW, W | E, NE, SE | Mid |
| Pedra Branca | Reef | Expert | W, SW, NW | E, NE, SE | Mid to high |
| Foz do Lizandro | Rivermouth | All levels | NW, W | E, NE, SE | All tides |
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 14 °C in winter and 18 °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 Central Portugal
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.