Last week, I went to a surfing session in Guincho for the first time. My friend Miguel is used to surf there, but shamefully, I had never surfed there, even though it is a spot 30 minutes from my house, in Lisbon. As you all may know, I'm not a pro surfer (not even close ahahah), but I enjoyed this surf session so so much that I decided to make a small list of my favorite surf spots in Portugal. Don't be disappointed if I didn't include the more well-known spots, like Nazaré or Ericeira, it's not that I don't like surfing in Ericeira (I don't think it's going to happen in Nazaré) but usually there are so many surfers there that I get more annoyed than pleased. And I avoid surfing irritated, it's not good for the skin :D
Costa da Caparica
Costa da Caparica is basically my playground, with a long sandy coastline. It’s a spot where you can easily find some waves, usually, I go super early (around sunrise), as during the day it gets crowded. The northern part tends to be busier, especially closer to Lisbon, while the southern end offers more solitude and exposure to NW and W Atlantic swells. The sandbanks and groyne breaks shift with the tides, meaning conditions can vary, but the jetties provide some consistency.
Praia de Santa Rita
Praia de Santa Rita is a hidden gem to escape the crowds. Located north of Santa Cruz, 40 mins drive from Lisbon, this exposed beach break picks up plenty of swell. The waves are not the best, but for me it's one of the most beautiful beaches around Lisbon, uncrowded, and as the sandbanks shift with the seasons, creating multiple peaks that break both left and right, it's always like surfing on a new wave.
Praia da Areia Branca
Probably the best waves I have ever surfed were here. Located south of Peniche, it benefits from consistent Atlantic swells and offers a mix of sand-bottomed beach breaks and rocky reef sections. The waves here can range from gentle rollers to punchy peaks that challenge me a little bit. The west-facing orientation ensures exposure to a variety of swell directions, making it a reliable option year-round.
Carcavelos
Any Portuguese surfer who sees Carcavelos here will say I'm crazy. The truth is that Carcavelos is always very crowded, but very crowded, the waves are usually either huge (for my level of surfing) or tiny and the water is not exactly clean (most of the year). But the truth is that since I started volunteering at the adapted surf association, I have enjoyed being on this beach more and more. I don't always love surfing there, but I'm getting a weird hate-love relationship with this wave.
Also, it is worth remembering that it was there that I broke my surfboard, which later led to the birth of Van der Waal
Almagreira, Peniche
Praia da Almagreira is a wild and rugged surf spot just north of Peniche, less crowded than the town’s busier breaks. It’s an exposed beach break with a mix of sand and rock-bottomed waves, and from time to time my friends and I drive there to make a full surf day. Almagreira’s natural beauty is amazing, surrounded by cliffs and dunes, giving it a raw, untouched feel. There’s no lifeguard service, so be mindful of the conditions before paddling out.
Rodrigo, one of our surfers, will strongly disagree on this one, as his favorite spot is Molho Leste, also in Peniche.
Malhão, Vila Nova de Mil Fontes
Last week I spent 4 wonderful days in Vila Nova de Mil Fontes and loved surfing at Malhão beach. I don't know why, but even with good weather and throughout the weekend I surfed almost always alone, or with one or two other people. The beach features multiple peaks, making it suitable for all levels, though the waves can get heavy when the swell is big. The sandbanks shift, creating different setups throughout the year.Last week I surfed a cool right in the middle of the beach, but further north, a good left was breaking well too. If you’re looking for a wild, scenic surf experience away from the crowds, Malhão is a solid choice.
As always, this is a very personal overview of my favorite surf spots in Portugal. There are many missing, such as Sagres, Figueira da Foz, among others, but part of the adventure is also the search for these points. I will update this post as soon as I have (or remember) other spots.
