Intermediate: Carcavelos (Good, 1.3 m, cross-offshore around 08:00), São Pedro do Estoril (Good, 1.0 m, cross-offshore around 15:00), Guincho (Fair, 1.8 m, cross-shore around 08:00)
Advanced: Carcavelos (Fair, 1.3 m, cross-offshore around 08:00), Guincho (Fair, 1.8 m, cross-shore around 08:00)
Forecast updated 20 Oct, 01:03 UTC.
The spots
Azarujinha · reef break, advanced, best on SSW/SW/WSW swell with NNW/N/NNE wind, mid tide. A reef near Parede and Carcavelos that gives a left at mid tide on southwest swell with a north wind. Urchins and rocks, and a regular crowd of locals.
São Pedro do Estoril · point break, intermediate, best on SW/WSW/W swell with N/NNE/NE wind, low tide. Sheltered right-hand reef/point on the Cascais line (Bica/São Pedro). Needs a big NW or a SW swell plus northerly wind; mellow and longboard-friendly, crowded when on.
Parede · point break, intermediate, best on SSW/SW/WSW swell with NNE/NE/ENE wind, low tide. A right-hand point on the Cascais line that is works around low tide on southwest swell with a northeast wind. Often crowded.
Carcavelos · beach break, intermediate, best on W/WNW/SW swell with N/NNE/NE wind, mid tide. Lisbon's famous urban beach break, a train ride from the city. Hollow lefts by the fort and rights mid-beach on a decent W–SW swell with north wind; always packed.
Cresmina · beach break, intermediate, best on W/WNW/NW swell with ESE/SE/SSE wind, all tides. Beach next to Guincho on the Cascais coast, picking up west-northwest swell with a southeast wind. A bit more sheltered than Guincho but still very exposed.
Guincho · beach break, intermediate, best on WNW/W/NW swell with E/ENE wind, all tides. Lisbon's swell magnet: a wide, exposed bay that catches every NW swell. Superb on rare easterly days, but the north wind often wrecks it; heavy with big rips in winter.
Santo Amaro · point break, advanced, best on SSW/SW/WSW swell with NNW/N/NNE wind, high tide. A point in Oeiras that is works around high tide on southwest swell and a north wind. Pollution and rocks are the hazards.
When to surf in Cascais
Best months for intermediate surfers: February to April, October to December. For beginners: October to December. The water goes from about 15 °C in February (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 19 °C in August (3/2 mm fullsuit). Best-known spots: Guincho, Carcavelos, São Pedro do Estoril.
Days per month at the best third of the 7 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Cascais?
The best-known are Guincho, Carcavelos, São Pedro do Estoril, Parede. In all, 7 spots lie within 8 km: 3 beach breaks, 1 reef break, 3 point breaks.
Where can beginners surf in Cascais?
Cascais is mostly for intermediate and advanced surfers: reefs, points or powerful beach breaks. Beginners should take a lesson and stay on the smallest days.
When is the best time to surf in Cascais?
For intermediate surfers February to April, October to December. For beginners October to December.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Cascais?
The sea goes from about 15 °C in February (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 19 °C in August (3/2 mm fullsuit).