A village on Madeira's north-east coast and home of the island's surf schools. Praia da Alagoa is a black-sand and boulder beach break below the Penha d'Águia cliff that faces straight into north Atlantic swell, making it one of the most consistent waves on the island. Best for intermediate surfers and up, with punchier peaks in winter.
🌡️ ~23.8°C now · a 2mm spring suit / shorty
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
Local surf community
Local shops, schools and places to stay near Porto da Cruz worth checking out.
Founded in 2004, Surf Clube da Madeira is the island's first surf school. Based at Praia da Alagoa in Porto da Cruz, on Madeira's north coast, our certified instructors offer group and private lessons for all levels, plus board and wetsuit rentals. All equipment is included, and we run transport from Funchal so getting to the waves is easy.
Follow @surfscanners
New spots, best-month tips and the local crews at Porto da Cruz. Tag us in your clips and we'll share them.
Beginner: not suitable for this level
Intermediate: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Advanced: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec
All-time average wind & swell
Dashed line marks Porto da Cruz's known offshore direction. Bright arrow is the all-time average swell direction, colored arrow is the all-time average wind direction at 13 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 |
| 20° | 19° | 19° | 19° | 20° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° | 21° |
Averages from 3 years of daily wave, wind and water temperature data — what a typical year looks like, not a forecast.
Waves average 4.7 ft (1.4 m), with onshore winds around 13 km/h from the N. Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.6 ft (1.4 m), with onshore winds around 12 km/h from the N. Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.4 ft (1.6 m), with cross-onshore winds around 12 km/h from the NW. Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.1 ft (1.3 m), with onshore winds around 12 km/h from the N. Water is ~19°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 3.7 ft (1.1 m), with onshore winds around 14 km/h from the N. Water is ~20°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.4 ft (1.0 m), with onshore winds around 14 km/h from the N. Water is ~22°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.4 ft (1.0 m), with onshore winds around 15 km/h from the N. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.8 ft (1.2 m), with onshore winds around 16 km/h from the N. Water is ~24°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 3.8 ft (1.2 m), with onshore winds around 12 km/h from the N. Water is ~24°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates.
Waves average 4.1 ft (1.2 m), with cross-onshore winds around 10 km/h from the N. Water is ~24°C: boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed. A best month for intermediates and advanced surfers.
Waves average 4.3 ft (1.3 m), with cross-onshore winds around 9 km/h from the N. Water is ~23°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
Waves average 5.1 ft (1.6 m), with onshore winds around 13 km/h from the N. Water is ~21°C: a 2mm spring suit / shorty. A best month for advanced surfers.
For intermediates: Apr–Oct. For advanced surfers: Oct–Apr. The biggest waves come in March, averaging 5.4 ft (1.6 m), and the smallest in June, at 3.4 ft (1.0 m).
It ranges from ~19°C in March to ~24°C in August, averaged over 3 years of daily readings.
In March (~19°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty. In August (~24°C): boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed.
Not really: Porto da Cruz is best suited to intermediate and advanced surfers.
The nearest airport is FNC, and the nearest town is Porto da Cruz, Portugal.
