Where's a good place to surf on the Portuguese Atlantic coast?

Question

Hello... am a reasonably good beginner, but need to find somewhere that is not 6ft and barelling - I went to Nazare last October and nearly died!!! So am looking for somewhere safer!!! My parents live in San Martino (5k from Nazare) - does anyone know of anywhere that might be similar to say, N Devon??

Thanks,

P

Answer 1

have you tried the Algarve before, that is always supposed to be a good surf.

Answer 2

Ericeira, not too far from Lisbon I think, they hold competitions there every year

Answer 3

Dont know. But if you are ever in SoCal, check out Pismo Beach

Answer 4

Yes, Nazare and other beaches in the north of Portugal are just for pros... You'll have better luck in the southwest coast of Portugal, places like S. Torpes, Milfontes, Aljezur, Arrifana and Carrapateira. This is the Alentejo region coast and the Algarve west coast. Besides being a surfer's paradise, they're among the best kept secret beaches in the whole of Europe, they're still intact and preserved from big buildings and stupid resorts, it's just a wonderfully wild and natural stretch of coast, pure Mother Nature.

The Algarve south coast has ridiculously small waves unfit to do any surfing and it's all spoilt by over-development and mass tourism.