Surf spots in Ericeira Portugal

Ericeira is often seen as the surf capital of Portugal and offers an impressive variety of surf spots, crammed into just a few kilometers of coast. In 2011 Ericeira was chosen a World Surfing Reserve, the only one in Europe. Although most of the breaks are rock bottomed, the break in front of Ericeira Surf House is a beach break that is perfect for beginners.

Beginners
If you have never surfed before the beaches south of Ericeira are the place to be. Foz do Lizandro and Sao Juliao are typical beach breaks and perfect for beginners. Praia do Sul also provides some beginner possibilities if the conditions are right. Both Foz do Lizandro and Praia do Sul are within walking distance from Ericeira Surf House.

Intermediates
Intermediates can also have fun on the beach breaks mentioned above but they can also choose for the famous, reliable and safe reef break Ribeira d’Ilhas, host of the ASP World qualifying series or for some other breaks north of Ericeira.

Experienced surfers
For experienced surfers, Ericeira and surroundings is like heaven on earth. They can choose from over 15 surf spots in just 8 kilometers of coastline, with the world famous long and hollow wave of Coxos as highlight. Sitting proudly next to it in the quality stakes are the barrels of Pedra Branca, Backdoor, Reef, Cave and Crazy Left.

But don’t forget to explore further up and down the coast as well. If you drive 20 kilometers north, you’ll find the beautiful beach breaks of Santa Cruz and Praia Azul. The famous beach breaks of Peniche are also just an hour drive. To the south, you have Praia do Magoito, Praia Grande and Praia do Guincho. You can even venture further south towards Carcavelos beach and the other surf spots along the Lisbon coast. This is also the place to go when the western swells are too big or blown out.

Consistency
As you can see in the picture below from Magicseaweed, Ericeira is a very consistent year-round surf destination. With a swell consistency of minimal 56%, it’s actually one of the most consistent surf spots on the South Atlantic coast. Hossegor in France for example has a minimal consistency of 41%, Zarautz in Spain 42% and Sagres/Carrapateira in the Algarve 47%. This makes Ericeira your best bet, especially in the summer.

Please note that in this part of the Atlantic you basically always have to wear a wetsuit. The water is here cooler than for example in France during the summer months. A 3/2 (mm) wetsuit is advised from May to November. During the winter months, you should go for a 4/3 with booties.

Watch the video below to get an idea of the waves for more advanced surfers in Ericeira.

Praia do Sul

The beautiful beach of Praia do Sul is located just south of Ericeira, within walking distance from the house. It only works properly when the swells are bigger. The break can be divided into two different waves. The first is a right point/reef break that is only suitable for experienced surfers. The second is a mixed (sand and reef) break that is also suitable for less experienced surfers with smaller swells.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 1 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Left and right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef and sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Northwest
Wind: East

Praia do Norte

Praia do Norte, also called Praia do Algodio, is located just north of Ericeira city center. It is a point/reef break that can produce long rights with good sections. It only works properly with bigger swells.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 2.5 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef and sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Northwest
Wind: East/Southeast
Length of wave: 50 to 100 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: +++/++++

Pedra Branca

Pedra Branca is located at the end of the dirt road in front of the campsite, just north of Matadouro. In the same bay you find two more breaks: Backdoor and Reef. Pedra Branca is a nice fast left, breaking over a flat reef. This wave is characterised by an area of rapid starts, followed by a barrel to the inside. Not recommended at low tide.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 4 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Left reef break
Bottom: Reef and some sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Southwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 50 to 100 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: +++++

Reef

As the name suggests, this wave breaks over a shallow flat reef. It produces powerful and fast rights with awesome tubes if the conditions are right. It can be magical, but can leave wounds (very shallow, 1m)

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 4 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Right reef break
Bottom: Reef
Tide: Mid
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 30 to 70 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 1.5 metres
Consistency: ++
Quality: +++++

Sao Juliao

Sao Juliao is a big sandy beach that is located south of Ericeira. It is an exposed beach break with multiple peaks, both left and right. It is a swell magnet and therefore very consistent, even in summer. It works with swells in all directions and with all tides. When the sand is aligned properly, it can provide some really good waves for both beginners and more experienced surfers. It’s a small wave spot that maxes out easily. If you don’t mind to walk away from the main peak, you can have some waves for yourself.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 6 km
Surf level: All
Wave: Beach break with rights and lefts
Bottom: Sand
Tide: All
Swell: All, ideal West
Wind: All, ideal East
Length of wave: 30 to 80 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++++
Quality: ++/+++

Crazy Left

This wave is located on the south side of the Bay of Coxos and is one of the few lefts in Ericeira. It is a fast and hollow wave breaking over a rock bed with good tubes if the conditions are right.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 7.5 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Left reef break
Type of bottom: Reef
Tide: High
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 80 to 120 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: ++
Quality: ++++

São Lourenço

Sao Lourenco is located north of Coxos beach, about 6 km from Ericeira. It’s a nice sandy beach with multiple peaks. The most consistent one is a powerful right point/reef break with different sections on the right side of the beach. When large it can be a very heavy wave that is considered one of Portugal’s best. On the inside you find a mellow wave that is also suitable for less experienced surfers when the conditions are right. This break needs a bit of swell before it starts working properly, but it can hold a big swell.

Facts
Distance from Ericeira Surf House: 8 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Sand covered rocks and reef
Tide: All, but best with mid tide
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 50 to 150 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 4.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: ++++