A horseshoe-shaped cove below the cliffs and fishing harbour of Arrifana, on the Algarve's west coast inside the Costa Vicentina natural park. The cliffs and headland shelter the beach, so swells that are too big elsewhere arrive here as small, gentle waves over sand — a favourite for the area's surf schools. Best from autumn to spring with easterly winds.
🌡️ ~18.8°C now · a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Beginner: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
Follow @surfscanners
New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Arrifana. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Intermediate: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Advanced: not suitable for this level
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Arrifana's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 17 km/h — hover or tap either arrow for exact values.
Monthly avg wave height (ft)
Monthly avg wind speed (km/h)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 16° | 16° | 15° | 16° | 17° | 18° | 18° | 17° | 17° | 19° | 18° | 16° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 8.2 ft (2.5 m), with offshore winds around 17 km/h from the NE. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 7.7 ft (2.3 m), with cross-offshore winds around 17 km/h from the NE. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 8.5 ft (2.6 m), with cross-onshore winds around 17 km/h from the NW. Water is ~15°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 5.9 ft (1.8 m), with cross-onshore winds around 17 km/h from the N. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 4.8 ft (1.5 m), with cross-onshore winds around 17 km/h from the N. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.3 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 17 km/h from the N. Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.4 ft (1.4 m), with cross-onshore winds around 19 km/h from the N. Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 4.9 ft (1.5 m), with cross-onshore winds around 20 km/h from the N. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 5.2 ft (1.6 m), with cross-onshore winds around 16 km/h from the N. Water is ~17°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for beginners.
Waves average 6.2 ft (1.9 m), with cross-onshore winds around 15 km/h from the NW. Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for beginners and intermediates.
Waves average 6.8 ft (2.1 m), with cross-offshore winds around 16 km/h from the NE. Water is ~18°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 7.3 ft (2.2 m), with offshore winds around 14 km/h from the NE. Water is ~16°C: a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. A best month for intermediates.
For beginners: Apr–Oct. For intermediates: Oct–Apr. The biggest waves come in March, averaging 8.5 ft (2.6 m), and the smallest in June, at 4.3 ft (1.3 m).
It ranges from ~15°C in March to ~19°C in October, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In March (~15°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional. In October (~19°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty.
Yes. The best months for beginners are Apr–Oct, when waves average around 5.1 ft (1.6 m).
The nearest airport is FAO, and the nearest town is Aljezur, Portugal.
