SURFING
ERICEIRA SURFING
A traditional fishing village, Ericeira maintains its original characteristics and a unique atmosphere that charms all its visitors.
In 2011 Ericeira was elected World Surfing Reserve, the only one in Europe, and is considered one of the best surfing spots in the world with an impressive variety of surf base variety, spread out through kilometres of coastline.
For experienced surfers, Ericeira and its surroundings are like heaven on earth. They can choose from more than 15 surf spots on just 8 kilometers of coastline. Ericeira's surf spots are known for their level of consistency and accommodating all levels of surfers. The quality of the water and the unique beauty that surrounds them makes Ericeira a real gem.
SWELL CONSISTENCY AND WIND OVERVIEW
SURF LESSONS
We are a family owned and operated business.
Ericeira is a charming city with wonderful beaches and perfect for enjoying surfing experiences, so if you like sun, beach, laser and surfing you can not miss this opportunity, we will present you the best surf schools in the city.
Blue Ocean
Surf School
The Blue Ocean Surf School is located on the Ericeira beach of Ribeira Dilhas, located on the north Atlantic coast, a short drive from Lisbon. Ericeira is a traditional fishing village, but it is also internationally recognized as one of the best surf spots in Europe, and currently the second world surf reserve.
PRAIA DO SUL
Praia do Sul beach is located south of Ericeira, not far from the house. The waves only work correctly when the swells are bigger.
The break can be divided into two different waves. The first is a right / break point suitable only for experienced surfers. The second is a mixed break (sand and reef) that is also suitable for less experienced surfers with smaller waves.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 1 km
Surfing level: Intermediate -
Experienced wave: Left and right point / reef break
Bottom: Reef and sand
Tide: Medium - High
Swell: West / Northwest
Wind: East
FURNAS
Furnas only works with a huge swell. It is located right in front of the village center, close the Vila Galé hotel. The wave is for experienced surfers only as it is a hard and dangerous wave, close to the rocks. It can produce good tubes and thick lips. It’s the last possibility when its too big for the other breaks.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 400m
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef
Tide: Low – Mid
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: East/Northeast
Length of wave: 50 to 100 metres
Wave height: 1 to 3 metres
Consistency: ++
Quality: ++++
PRAIA DO NORTE
Praia do Norte, also called Praia do Algodio, is located just north of Ericeira city center. It is a point/reef break that can produce long rights with good sections. It only works properly with bigger swells.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 500m
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef and sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Northwest
Wind: East/Southeast
Length of wave: 50 to 100 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: +++/++++
MATADOURO
Matadouro is located just north of Praia do Norte (and Ericeira) in front of the skate park. It consists of multiple peaks. The main break is a right hander on the north side of the bay. More to the south, you are also able to find some lefts.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 1.6 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Left and right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef and sand
Tide: All
Swell: West/Northwest
Wind: East
PEDRA BRANCA
Pedra Branca is located at the end of the dirt road in front of the campsite, just north of Matadouro. In the same bay you find two more breaks: Backdoor and Reef. Pedra Branca is a nice fast left, breaking over a flat reef. This wave is characterised by an area of rapid starts, followed by a barrel to the inside. Not recommended at low tide.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 1.8 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Left reef break
Bottom: Reef and some sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Southwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 50 to 100 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: +++++
REEF
As the name suggests, this wave breaks over a shallow flat reef. It produces powerful and fast rights with awesome tubes if the conditions are right. It can be magical, but can leave wounds (very shallow, 1m)
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 1.6 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Right reef break
Bottom: Reef
Tide: Mid
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 30 to 70 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 1.5 metres
Consistency: ++
Quality: +++++
RIBEIRA D´ILHAS
Ribeira D’Ilhas is a famous and long right reef break that is considered to be one of the best rights in Europe. It is also the break where many contests are held. The wave consists of different sections and is suitable for both advanced and intermediate surfers. It’s one of the most consistent summer spots, holding 0.5 to 3.5 metres swell.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 3.4 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Rocks and reef
Tide: All
Swell: All swells, ideal West/Northwest
Wind: All, ideal Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 150 to 300 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 3.5 metres
Consistency: +++++
Quality: +++/+++++
SÃO JULIÃO
Sao Juliao is a big sandy beach that is located south of Ericeira. It is an exposed beach break with multiple peaks, both left and right. It is a swell magnet and therefore very consistent, even in summer. It works with swells in all directions and with all tides. When the sand is aligned properly, it can provide some really good waves for both beginners and more experienced surfers. It’s a small wave spot that maxes out easily. If you don’t mind to walk away from the main peak, you can have some waves for yourself.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 3.5 km
Surf level: All
Wave: Beach break with rights and lefts
Bottom: Sand
Tide: All
Swell: All, ideal West
Wind: All, ideal East
Length of wave: 30 to 80 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++++
Quality: ++/+++
CAVE
Cave, also called Sete Bafos, is famous for its hollow spitting barrels. It’s the heaviest wave in Ericeira and very dangerous because it breaks in front of a rock. This right reef break is only accessible for experienced surfers/professionals.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 4.6 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef with some sand
Tide: Mid – High
Swell: West/Northwest/North
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 30 to 70 metres
Wave height: 1 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +
Quality: +++++
CRAZY LEFT
This wave is located on the south side of the Bay of Coxos and is one of the few lefts in Ericeira. It is a fast and hollow wave breaking over a rock bed with good tubes if the conditions are right.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 3.4 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Left reef break
Type of bottom: Reef
Tide: High
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 80 to 120 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: ++
Quality: ++++
COXOS
Coxos is one of the best waves in Portugal and Europe. This powerful right point/reef break is famous for its amazing barrels and only accessible for experienced surfers. It works best with mid to low tide, but be aware of the sea urchins and the tricky entry/exit. It can handle very big waves.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 6 km
Surf level: Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Reef
Tide: Low – Mid
Swell: All swells, ideal West/Northwest
Wind: East/Northeast/Southeast
Length of wave: 150 to 300 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 3 metres
Consistency: ++++
Quality: +++++
SÃO LOURENÇO
Sao Lourenco is located north of Coxos beach, about 6 km from Ericeira. It’s a nice sandy beach with multiple peaks. The most consistent one is a powerful right point/reef break with different sections on the right side of the beach. When large it can be a very heavy wave that is considered one of Portugal’s best. On the inside you find a mellow wave that is also suitable for less experienced surfers when the conditions are right. This break needs a bit of swell before it starts working properly, but it can hold a big swell.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 6.9 km
Surf level: Intermediate – Experienced
Wave: Right point/reef break
Bottom: Sand covered rocks and reef
Tide: All, but best with mid tide
Swell: North/Northwest
Wind: Southeast/Northeast
Length of wave: 50 to 150 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 4.5 metres
Consistency: +++
Quality: ++++
FOZ DO LIZANDRO
On a good day you can get powerful tubes here, but most of the time this break is a forgiving beach break that is perfectly suitable for beginners and intermediates. There are multiple peaks with both lefts and rights, so it’s the kind of wave where you’ll surely find something that pleases you. It is very consistent surf spot.
FACTS
Distance from Lovely Bay Ericeira: 5.8 k.m
Surf level: All
Wave: Beach break with multiple peaks
Bottom: Sand
Tide: All
Swell: West/Southwest
Wind: All, ideal East/Northeast
Length of wave: 30 to 50 metres
Wave height: 0.5 to 2.5 metres
Consistency: +++++
Quality: ++/++++