Baleal
Baleal bay: Portugal's most famous learning beach, full of surf schools and camps.
The bay between Peniche and Baleal island has soft waves over sand, ideal for beginners and intermediates. It faces north, so it works with a southerly wind, exactly when the south side of the peninsula (Supertubos) is bad.
It fills with lessons; in winter or after 5 pm it's easier to find space.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Beginner |
| Best swell | NW, N, W |
| Best wind (offshore) | S, SE, SW |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A minimalibu or funboard for learning; a shortboard in big swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Baleal
The water is around 14 °C in winter and 18 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
A surf-school vibe. Respect the lesson areas.
Surfing style
Soft waves for learning.
Hazards
Crowds and loose boards.
Map
Shapers near Baleal
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Peniche
A reef left in Baleal bay, easy when small and good for everyone when bigger.
Peniche
The «European Pipeline»: heavy barrels over sand and home of a world tour event.
Peniche
A right by the Peniche harbour jetty, with conditions similar to Supertubos.
Peniche
A right point south of Peniche that wakes up in big swell.
All spots in Central Portugal →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.