Surf Portugal - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Europe
POPULATION: 10300000
NATIONALITY: Portuguese
LANGUAGE: Portuguese
CURRENCY: Euro

Portugal is situated in southwestern Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, and is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are also part of Portugal.

Portugal has a mediterranean climate and is one of the warmest country in Europe.

Portugal Surf Spot Map

Portugal has a very mild climate with solid surf often with offshore morning breezes are extremely common, making it a popular surfing destination for surfers from inside and outside Europe. Portugal has a huge variety of waves and swell size and as a result makes an ideal surfing location for surfers of every ability. It is a good place to learn to surf with lots of places offering surf lessons and packages. (You can also learn to surf with us)

Situated west of Spain, Portugal picks up north, west and south swells, making surf conditions very consistent. During winter the swell size is around the 6ft mark but can get to 15ft or more, making it a spot for those looking for challenging surf. There is surf throughout the summer months and you can expect waves of 3-5ft.

There are many different waves and surf over the whole coast so a bit of research before you go is a good idea, just browse the surf map above and explore the coast. The area around Peniche is ideal as the peninsular gives the opportunity to make the best of the weather conditions. A couple of waves to check out while you are surfing in Portugal are Pedra Blanca, Supertubos, Matosinhos and Coxos.

Surfing Portugal - The Good
Gets Heaps of Swell
Uncrowded Waves
Quality Beach and Reef Breaks

Surf Portugal - The Bad and the Ugly
Cold Water
Summer Onshores

Portugal Surfing Conditions

If you have information on surfing in Portugal we would like to know. Tell us how good or bad your surfing vacation was by posting your trip details on our surf forum.

Click the link for some background (non surfing related) information on Portugal

The Best Waves in Portugal for Surfing

Here are the top waves that have been added by members to our Portugal surf spot map. These famous portuguese surfing beaches are surfed througout the year and are know internationally for providing great conditions. If you've not thought about surfing Portugal before then now's the time.

1. Supertubos

Supertubos, or Supertubes, is located south of Peniche on the central Portugal coast. It's a fantastic beach break waves that provides incredible barrels in the right conditions. The wave breaks over sand and can provides left or right hand waves depending on the conditions. In late Autumn and through the Winter, with a solid swell and offshore easterly, Supertubos really turns on the power. It's a well know spot, so be prepared for the crowds when it's cranking. Not suitable for beginners in larger swells. Supertubos

2. Buarcos

Buarcos is a right hand beach break wave that breaks over a sand and rock bed. It's another popular spot with surfers living and travelling along the central Portuguese coastline looking for quality waves. Barcos is recognised as one of the best Portugal surf beaches and a popular location for competitions. A number of the best Portugal waves are located within a short drive from here, it's a great place to make a base when planning trips to other great spots. Buarcos.

3. Matosinhos Beach

Matosinhos is Porto's most consistent surf spot. Unlike the beaches towards Foz there aren't rocks everywhere and the harbor wall at the northern end can provide shelter from the wind. The gently sloping sand here takes some of the power out of the surf making it a suitable spot for all levels of surfer. Beginners could do a lot worse that spending a day or two enjoying waves in late summer and Autumn here. You'll never find waves off the charts here but due to the consistency it makes our list.
Matosinhos.

4. Nazaré

Portugal's premier big wave spot. Works in pretty much all swells, and can hold huge surf. When there are no waves you'd never guess that this picturesque fishing village could be home to such monster waves. Obviously not suitable for beginners, and when it's full on here it should only be surfed by elite big wave surfers. Nazaré

5. Coxos

An amazing powerful right hander, one of the best waves in the famous search region of Ericeira. The wave is a right hand rock reef, it peels down the point relentlessly and is a real classic in the right conditions. It's for intermediate and advanced surfers, and will get busy when the conditions are good. There are a number of waves around that are similar, but Coxos is probably the pick of the bunch. Coxos