Santa Cruz
A surf town between Peniche and Ericeira, with lots of beaches and a bodyboarding tradition.
Santa Cruz has several beaches in a row between low cliffs, with sand and rock peaks. It's a town with a strong surfing and bodyboarding tradition and has hosted international contests.
It works with a west swell and an easterly wind.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, NE, SE |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Medium |
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 shortboard or fish; a funboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Santa Cruz
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 AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
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 large local community and some localism according to reports. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Varied beach break.
Hazards
Rocks and currents.
Map
Shapers near Santa Cruz
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Ericeira (Mafra)
A powerful right north of Ericeira that needs big swell.
Ericeira (Mafra)
Ericeira's most famous and heaviest right: barrels and powerful walls over rock.
Ericeira (Mafra)
A long, regular right over rock, an international contest venue.
Ericeira (Mafra)
One of Ericeira's few lefts and, when it works, one of the best waves in Portugal.
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.