Surf Madeira - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Portugal
POPULATION: 260000
NATIONALITY: Portuguese
LANGUAGE: Portuguese
CURRENCY: Euro

As tasty as the cake. Sitting alone in the Atlantic, 350 miles west of the Moroccan city of Casablanca, Madeira stands defiantly in the way of any swell coming out of the North Atlantic, and as a result catches the big swells generated.

Madeira Surf Spot Map

Please contribute your experiences and surf spot locations to this Madeira surf map. All information is gratefully received.

Madeira is really not for the beginner, who is better suited to the Canarys. With only one small wave spot on the island, surfers looking for bigger waves should find what they are looking for. The island really lights up on a big swell, the reefs come alive.


Madeira is exposed to the NW Swells that power across the Atlantic from October to April each year, and although November to February guarantees the best conditions there will be surf all year round. Swells can rise and fall quickly so you really need to be paying attention to get the most out of your trip. It is not unusual for the surf to jump 8ft + in a couple of hours. Be wary of the odd surprise set when you are out there.

Top waves on the island include Ponta Pequena, Jardim do Mar and the big right at Ponta do Sol. For the less experienced the two spots to head for are Faja de Areia on the north coast and Machino on the west coast.

Surfing Madeira - The Good
Big Waves
No Crowds

Surf Madeira - The Bad and the Ugly
Not For Beginners
Dangerous Entry And Exit To Surf

Madeira Surfing Conditions

Wikipedia has further information on Madeira.