Surfing in Portugal
SurfScanners covers 13 surf spots in Portugal, including spots in Madeira and Algarve. Of those, 2 suit beginners, 9 suit intermediates, and 11 suit advanced surfers. Across them, the water averages ~16°C in March and ~19°C in October.
Surf spots in Portugal
Nazaré
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Supertubos
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Ribeira d'Ilhas
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Jardim do Mar
Madeira
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~24°C
Praia Grande
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Praia do Amado
Algarve
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Coxos
- Level:
- advanced
- Best months:
- Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Carcavelos
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Costa da Caparica
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Costa Nova
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Porto da Cruz
Madeira
- Level:
- intermediate–advanced
- Best months:
- Intermediates: Apr–Oct · Advanced surfers: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~24°C
Baleal
- Level:
- beginner–intermediate
- Best months:
- Beginners: Apr–Oct · Intermediates: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~18°C
Arrifana
Algarve
- Level:
- beginner–intermediate
- Best months:
- Beginners: Apr–Oct · Intermediates: Oct–Apr
- Water in October:
- ~19°C
Portugal water temperature by month
Average across the spots above, with the coldest and warmest spot's in brackets.
January
~16°C (15–20°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
February
~16°C (14–20°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
March
~16°C (15–19°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
April
~17°C (16–20°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
May
~17°C (16–21°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
June
~19°C (17–22°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
July
~19°C (17–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
August
~18°C (16–25°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
September
~18°C (17–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
October
~19°C (18–24°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
November
~18°C (17–23°C): a 2mm spring suit / shorty
December
~17°C (15–21°C): a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional
Surfing in Portugal: FAQ
When is the best time to surf in Portugal?
For beginners: Apr–Oct. For intermediates: Apr–Oct. For advanced surfers: Oct–Apr. Across the country, waves are biggest in March, averaging 8.0 ft (2.4 m), and smallest in July, at 4.2 ft (1.3 m).
What is the water temperature in Portugal?
Averaged across our 13 spots, it ranges from ~16°C in March to ~19°C in October. The spots differ: Costa Nova drops to ~15°C in March, while Jardim do Mar reaches ~24°C in October.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Portugal?
It depends on the spot: in March, Costa Nova (~15°C) calls for a 3/2mm full suit, boots optional, while in October, Jardim do Mar (~24°C) needs boardshorts or a rashguard, no wetsuit needed.
Is Portugal good for beginner surfers?
Yes. Baleal and Arrifana suit beginners, and the best months for them are Apr–Oct.
Where are the best surf spots in Portugal?
We cover 13 spots in Portugal. Beginner-friendly: Baleal and Arrifana. Intermediate and up: Ribeira d'Ilhas, Praia Grande, Praia do Amado, Carcavelos, Costa da Caparica, Costa Nova, and Porto da Cruz. Advanced only: Nazaré, Supertubos, Jardim do Mar, and Coxos.