Europe's first World Surfing Reserve: a string of reefs and points (Coxos, Ribeira d'Ilhas, Pedra Branca, Reef) plus sandy beaches for learning, 50 minutes from Lisbon. 9 spots within 6 km of Ericeira: 3 beach breaks, 5 reef breaks, 1 point break. 1 suit beginners.
Intermediate: Praia do Sul (Good, 1.5 m, cross-shore around 08:00), São Julião (Fair, 1.9 m, cross-shore around 08:00), Ribeira d'Ilhas (Fair, 1.9 m, cross-onshore around 08:00)
Advanced: Praia do Sul (Good, 1.5 m, cross-shore around 08:00), São Julião (Fair, 1.9 m, cross-shore around 08:00)
Forecast updated 20 Oct, 01:03 UTC.
The spots
Pedra Branca · reef break, advanced, best on W/WSW/SW swell with E/NE/SE wind, mid to high tide. One of Portugal's best lefts: a fast, barrelling slab near Ribeira d'Ilhas. Best on a W–SW swell, offshore wind and a rising mid to high tide. Not for anyone short of…
Ribeira d'Ilhas · point break, intermediate, best on NW/WNW/W swell with E/SE wind, mid tide. Ericeira's most consistent wave and its contest venue: a long, rippable right-hand point over flat reef. Works on most NW swells with E–SE wind; expect a busy line-up.
Cave · reef break, advanced, best on NW/WNW/N swell with E/NE wind, mid tide. Ledgy right-hand slab south of Coxos, one of Ericeira's heaviest waves. Needs a big winter NW swell and offshore wind; a small crew of chargers and bodyboarders only.
Crazy Left · reef break, advanced, best on SW/WSW/W swell with E/NE wind, high tide. Fickle hollow left across the bay from Coxos that only switches on with a strong SW-leaning swell, light offshore and high tide. Rarely works, but excellent when it does.
Coxos · reef break, advanced, best on NW/WNW/W swell with E/SE wind, low to mid tide. Portugal's benchmark right-hand reef: fast, hollow and heavy over a shallow shelf. Best on solid NW swell with E–SE wind, low to mid tide. Experts only, with a…
Praia do Sul · beach break, intermediate. Town beach on the south side of Ericeira, sand with rock patches. Picks up W–NW swell and is cleaned up by north to east winds.
São Lourenço · reef break, advanced, best on NW/WNW/NNW swell with E/SE wind, low to mid tide. Ericeira's northernmost reef: a long, powerful right with a steep take-off that holds very big NW swell. Best low to mid tide; goes fat on high. Experts only when it's…
Foz do Lizandro · beach break, beginner, best on W/WNW/NW swell with E/SE wind, all tides. Ericeira's main learner beach: sandbank A-frames with some shelter from north wind. Good on small to medium W–NW swell; busy with schools in summer.
São Julião · beach break, intermediate, best on W/WNW/NW swell with E/ENE/ESE wind, low to mid tide. Long, exposed beach just south of Ericeira that picks up more swell than its neighbours: sand-and-rock A-frames, best low to mid tide with an easterly wind.
When to surf in Ericeira
Best months for intermediate surfers: March to April, September to December. For beginners: September 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: Ribeira d'Ilhas, Coxos, Pedra Branca. 1 of the 9 spots suit beginners, such as Foz do Lizandro.
Days per month at the best third of the 9 spots for each level, from three years of wave and wind model data.
Questions
What are the best surf spots in Ericeira?
The best-known are Ribeira d'Ilhas, Coxos, Pedra Branca, Foz do Lizandro. In all, 9 spots lie within 6 km: 3 beach breaks, 5 reef breaks, 1 point break.
Where can beginners surf in Ericeira?
Foz do Lizandro: sandy, more forgiving spots. Surf them on small days, ideally with a lesson or near the lifeguards.
When is the best time to surf in Ericeira?
For intermediate surfers March to April, September to December. For beginners September to December.
What wetsuit do I need to surf in Ericeira?
The sea goes from about 15 °C in February (4/3 mm fullsuit) to 19 °C in August (3/2 mm fullsuit).