You want to do surf en Algarve in the south of Portugal ? Whether you are from a level surfing beginner, intermediate ou advanced. Then you will locate a place where surf, on the beaches in the Algarve. And yes, there are waves to practice surfing in the south of Portugal. I will explain to you in this practical Guide, in which way you can quickly spot surf spots within this region. Indeed, I am going to present to you many tools important for search et fall on the best surf spots most of them Countries du globe.
The 8 best surf spots in the Algarve
Here are my 8 favorite surf spots in the south of Portugal. There is something for all levels.
- Arrifana :
Ah, Arrifana! Once, perched on the cliffs overlooking this pointbreak, I was dazzled. It is a gem for surfers with its powerful and fast waves. However, it is better to be vigilant: there is a rock to avoid on the wave. For intermediate and beginner surfers, I advise you to stay on the beach break in the middle of the beach. - Bordeira beach :
Praia da Bordeira, an unforgettable memory. At low tide, I made the most of this majestically rolling left bank. But the real magic lies in the fast, hollow rights that come into play at rising tide. - Bunk bed :
During my visit to Beliche, a solid NW transformed this spot into a real gem, offering lefts that were both hollow and powerful. A real treat for tube lovers. This is the ideal place for bodyboarding. - Tonel :
Tonel is one of my favorite stops for its consistency. It was there that I shared a few sessions with local bodyboarders, riding waves that, although average, were full of energy. - Zavial :
Zavial is the kind of spot that challenges you. The right here is fast, stormy, and the line-up is often dominated by protective locals. But the wave is incredible. Be careful, this is not suitable for beginner surfers. - Praia da Luz :
During a stopover at Praia da Luz, I had two options: a fast, shallow left or a more forgiving right, Rocha Negra. The proximity to the river makes every session here unpredictable and exciting. - Meia Beach :
Praia Meia is a relaxed spot, ideal for calmer days. I remember surfing small waves there, especially on the east side of the beach, a real playground for beginners. - Stone beach :
Nestled in the heart of Portimão, Praia da Rocha is a surprise. With a good swell, I was able to catch a few memorable tubes, despite a large crowd.
When to surf in the Algarve?
If you want to go surfing the waves of southern Portugal. So you have to choose the right time. Indeed, depending on the type of wave you want to surf and your surfing level, certain times of the year are more suitable. Here are my recommendations:
For beginners : Summer is the ideal time. The swell is generally calmer, ranging between 0,3 to 0,6 meters, with the south coast offering gentler conditions and often flat seas. The prevailing winds, known as "Nortada", coming from the north-northwest between April and September, can disrupt some spots, but the sheltered beaches remain perfect for those taking their first steps in the water.
For intermediate surfers : Spring and autumn are recommended. The swell on the west coast is more regular, often between 0,6 and 1,5 meters. These seasons offer a good balance of manageable waves and challenges to improve your skills.
For advanced surfers : Winter is your season. With swells varying from 2,5 to 4,5 meters on the west coast, this is the time for those seeking adrenaline and powerful waves. Latter-season winds, coming from the northeast to the southeast, often bring good conditions, although the winds can sometimes be strong.
The Algarve enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. The water temperature in Sagres varies between 14 and 22ºC, so a 3/2mm wetsuit is recommended, and perhaps a thinner wetsuit in summer for warmer days.
In conclusion, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or expert, the Algarve has something to offer every surfer.
The best surf camps in the Algarve
Surf camps are very developed in Portugal and the Algarve is no exception to the rule. Besides, if you go to the Algarve to surf and want to progress quickly. This is definitely the best solution. Here is my selection of the best surf camps in the Algarve.
Hostel on the Hill Algarve in Vila do Bispo
This is one of the most popular surf camps in the region, it's simple and efficient. Perfect for small budgets. It offers 5 days from €330. Here is the link to book: Hostel on the Hill
Tiny Whale Surf Lodge, my favorite
Tiny whale surf lodge is really cool located in Bensafrim. This is a more upscale surf camp. The house is beautiful and well decorated. The surf teachers are all ISA graduates, and offer real coaching with video analysis. It's the perfect place to quickly progress in surfing in the south of Portugal. I advise you to book the 8-day all-inclusive package for intermediate and beginner surfers or discover all their offers by clicking on the button below:
The Surf Experience in Lagos
Here is the last surf camp in my selection, it is “The surf experience”. It is a very popular surf camp in the region. It's the perfect place if you want to go surfing while making new friends. If you like surfing, meeting people and partying. Then this is the ideal place for you. They offer a 5-day all-inclusive package for only €584. Which makes it the surf camp in the Algarve with the best value for money in my selection.
If you don't like these surf camps. Then you can search directly in the search bar below. I'm sure you'll find something that suits you.
Discover also our complete guide to surf camps in Lisbon
Where to stay in the Algarve
If you don't want to stay in a surf camp. So, I advise you to make a reservation on Booking . You will definitely find what you need.
Here are my favorite hotels and B&Bs in the Algarve
- Endless summer surf house : It is a small surf house located in the heart of Vale da Thela very close to Arrifana beach in Aljezur. It's clean and well decorated. I highly recommend you.
- Carrapateiramar Guest House : It's a little further south on the "Costa Vicentina" in the village of Carrapateira, next to the surf spot of Bordeira.
- Martinhal Sagres Resort: The Marthinal is a luxury hotel located on the southern tip of the Algarve in the village of Sagres. This is a very upscale hotel. If you want to treat yourself, this is the place.
If these accommodations do not suit you, you can search directly on booking.com using the search bar below:
Complete list of surf spots in the Algarve
Here is the complete list of surf spots in the Algarve.
- Bunk bed : Offers a combination of rights and lefts in beach break, recommended for experienced surfers.
- Tonel : Offers both right and left waves on a beach break, welcoming to all surfers.
- Zavial : With its point-break offering right and left, it is a privileged place for experienced surfers.
- Mulberry : A sandbank destination for right and left waves, open to all surfers.
- Arrifana : Specialized in straight waves on point-break, intended mainly for experienced surfers.
- Boca do rio : A beach-break spot for experienced surfers.
- Praia da Carrapateira : Ideal for surfing lefts on beach breaks, reserved for experienced surfers.
- Coice : A point-break offering right and left waves, recommended for pros or those who like pure adrenaline.
- Falesia : Spot near a sea wall/pier with left waves, for experienced surfers.
- Gale : Offers a rocky reef for right and left waves, to be discovered by experienced surfers.
- Island of Tavira : Beach-break welcoming right and left waves, open to all types of surfers.
- Desert island : A serene place with a beach break offering both right and left, ideal for all surfers.
- Ilha do farol : A beach break with right and left waves, welcoming to all surfing enthusiasts.
- ingrin : Spot with a rocky reef with left waves, recommended for experienced surfers.
- Juliet : Beach-break offering a combination of right and left, suitable for all surfers.
- Manta Rota : Beach-break for right and left waves, suitable for everyone.
- mistletoe : A beach break with right and left waves, preferred by experienced surfers.
- Martinhal : Beach-break where right and left meet, inviting all surfers to discover it.
- Monte Clerigo : Beach-break spot with right and left waves, ideal for those with some experience.
- Pirate or Ponta do Levante : Offers a rocky reef with right and left waves, recommended for experienced surfers.
- redhead : Spot with a rocky reef that accommodates right and left waves, open to all surfers.
- Stone beach : Beach-break offering a variety of rights and lefts, suitable for everyone.
- Praia do amado : A beach break that offers right and left waves, welcoming all surfers.
- Telheiro beach : Beach break where right and left waves are available, recommended for experienced surfers.
- White Rose : A sandbar for surfing right and left waves, ideal for experienced surfers.
- Three brothers : An exclusively left-hand beach break, reserved for surfers who already have experience under their belt.
- Vale do Lobo : A friendly beach break offering both right and left waves, suitable for all surfers.
- Alvor : Beach-break surf spot offering a combination of rights and lefts, open to all surfers.
- Arcos da mesquita : Unique point-break offering mainly straight waves, accessible to all surfing enthusiasts.
- Barranco : Spot with a point-break that accommodates right and left waves, ideal for all surfers.
- burgau : Beach-break focused on straight waves, perfect for anyone looking for an enjoyable surfing experience.
- Cabanas Velhas : Beach-break spot where you can surf both right and left, suitable for all surfers.
- castle : Beach-break offering right and left waves, welcoming to all surfers wishing to venture there.
- Rabbits : Exclusive spot with a beach break on the right, ideal for all surfers.
- cordama : Inviting beach break with right and left waves, suitable for all levels of surfers.
- Figueres : Versatile beach break offering right and left waves, suitable for anyone who loves to surf.
- strong new : Beach-break with a combination of rights and lefts, open to all surfing enthusiasts.
- Ilha da culatra : A beach-break surfing place offering right and left, welcoming all surfers.
- Fuzeta Island : Characteristic sandbar offering right and left waves, perfect for all surfers.
- Faro Island : Beach-break offering a variety of rights and lefts, ideal for all surfers.
- Energy : Beach-break spot with right and left waves, recommended for surfers with some experience.
- Faro Beach : Beach-break where right and left waves are there, welcoming all surfers.
- Praia do Farol – lado poente : Renowned for its rocky reef and its right and left waves, this spot is recommended for experienced surfers.
- PRAIA NOVA : Beach-break predominantly right, open to all surfers.
- Salema : Sandbar offering both right and left waves, welcoming all surfers.
- Figueira Valley : Traditional beach break suitable for all surfers looking for a peaceful session.
- Albufeira : Beach-break combining right and left waves, ideal for beginners thanks to its gentler waves.
- Armação de pêra : Point-break offering right and left waves, this spot is accessible to surfers of all levels.
- Meia Praia : Welcoming beach break with right and left waves, particularly suitable for surfing novices.
- Altura Beach : Beach-break offering a combination of rights and lefts, a preferred destination for beginner surfers.
- Beach of Bordeira : A sandbank characterized by its right and left waves, this place is welcoming to all surfers.
- Carriagem : Mysterious spot with a rocky reef whose type of wave is not clearly identified, reserved for professionals or surfing kamikazes.
- Lage do Pescador : Renowned for its rocky reef and its left waves, this spot is recommended for the most daring surfers.
Surfline, the weather condition website
Surfline is a weather forecast site and smartphone application for surfing. This website has an international reputation, Surfline broadcasts all surf forecasts for all waves for surfing, on all continents. For this, it remains an important tool if you do not know where to surf in the Algarve. Clearly, no matter which continent you are located on, the website Surfline will find a surf wave in the area.
However, the website not only provides surfing weather conditions, you will also be able to benefit from some recommendations on the waves as well as photographs published by members. That said, we recommend that you consult all the books or the stormrider website in order to have good recommendations on the surf waves of the planet. This is also what we will develop later in this article.
The free version of Surfline remains complete, however you can subscribe to a paid subscription if you wish to extend the weather condition period for surfing to 15 days.
Stormrider, the ideal tool to know where to surf in the Algarve
Stormrider has always been the best guide to surf the world. Initially, the stormrider surf guide was only available in magazine version. It's series of reviews which details much of the waves on the planet. For this reason, the best thing to do is to have one of the paper publications of the stormrider guide magazine. Indeed, it is somewhat lonely planet to surf. The journals are available on Amazon
Nevertheless, stormrider is also accessible in format digital. Indeed, you can find a lot of information by browsing their specialized website, in order to know where to surf in the Algarve as well as on all the oceans of our land. Particularly the application section "trip plan". Inside this section you can plan all your surf trip in the Algarve. This will give you the means to find a surf spot in all countries and regions of the world, for example in the Algarve.
And then, you will have the opportunity on the "trip planer" to make a research wave to surf taking into account the wave consistency, surf suit size to use and period of the year where you want to start to travel to surf. This is a feature really handy when you don't know where to surf.
The surfer's favorite app for forecasting the wind, Windguru
In case you are looking for a wave to surf in the Algarve. So the website specialized at the level of wind forecast, windguru is made for you. Indeed, it comes in addition to magicseaweed. Windguru is more accurate compared to wind conditions. However, depending on the country or the area of the globe in which you want to surf, this application will give you more or less reliable information. For this reason, we advise you to use Windguru in addition to magicseaweed or stormrider.
Be careful, the Windguru site turns out to be less easy to understand than several different instruments advanced in this post. However, it will be easy for you to find a video tutorial on the web, to help you understand the weather forecast.
Where to surf in the Algarve, finally
You now know the three useful devices in order to know where to surf in the Algarve. As a result, you will easily find a wave to practice surfing in the Algarve. Whatever on what ocean or on what the sea you plan to practice surfing, you will find a surf beach with these tools.
So, all you have to do is put your wetsuit Or your bikini, grab your surfboard favorite and go slip on the beach that you discovered. Never forget to respect the rules when you are at a surf spot. What will prevent you hurt or hurt another person. Then take your waste starting from the surf beach, let's try to hold our surf spots own. Then, when you are not from the area where you want to practice surfing, you will have to respect the local surfers.
Want to locate more surf waves? Check out these different guides:
Hello I am RomainFounder everybodysurf.com, a platform dedicated to the world of surfing. With over 10 years of experience in surfing, I co-founded surf camps in Morocco and Sri Lanka, two world-famous surfing destinations. Over the years, I have acquired an in-depth knowledge of the surf market and particularly surf travel. In addition to surf camps, I actively work with Margaux Soulie in the development of its surf & yoga trips for women.
For me, surfing is much more than just a sport. It's a culture, a way of life that involves travelling, discovering new waves, new cultures, exploring local cuisines, and being part of a global community of enthusiasts.
On everybodysurf.com, I share my surfing tips, gear recommendations, travel experiences and my views on the economics of surfing. I'm delighted to share with you everything I've learned about this incredible sport and its strong culture.
