The Algarve to many is seen as a place to relax on a beach and chill out but it also has some of the best surf in Europe and even gets summer swells which are great for learning how to surf. Situated on the southern western tip of Europe it offers many type of waves for all different times of the year and has some great beach breaks from Arrifana to Faro.
On the southern western tip is the small town of Sagres which offers many options for both the the advanced surfer and the beginner and everyone in-beween. There are lots of Sagres surf camps and surf schools that offer lessons and equipment rental for all and in the quieter more sheltered beaches there is SUP on offer. Lots of these schools and camps also base themselves out of Sagres and travel to many of the beaches we will mention.
It is easily accessible through Faro airport and has a diverse number of towns to stay in from quiet villages to bustling town of Lagos for the night owls. The Algarve is a great place to go on a surf holiday all year round as it offers sun, surf and a great vibe, be that in the towns, villages or deep in the amazing country side.
Source: www.surfholidays.com/blog/
1. Arrifana
One of the most popular beach waves in Portugal and a great fun wave to surf at any level of skill, Arrifana offers a crescent shaped wave and the right hand wave is excellent on a large swell.
The location is really nice and the area great to hang out at, enjoy the surf culture and the beautiful landscapes along the wild western Portuguese coast. The beach can be crowded on a good day ofswell, which is to be expected, but the beach offers a lot on all conditions.
With high tide the wave can go a little soft but on a lower tide it speeds up and can be a great little ripper of a wave.
Photo by Arrifana Surf Lodge
2. Amado
A very popular beach for surf schools and beginner surfers, Amado beach offers a lot of variety on many different wave conditions.
It has great right and left running waves so offers waves for both goofy and regular footed surfers. During a good swell it can get busy by the peak near the car park, but this is no surprise at most great waves in Portugal, locals like to surf too!
Tides do not effect waves and it can be surfed generally all year round, being one of the most consistent in the Algarve as it is open to all Atlantic swells, while still being sheltered by the north west winds.
Photo by CM Aljezur
3. Castelejo
This very isolated beach some 12km north of Sagres offers beautiful views and very consistent swells all year round as it is very west facing.
With Castelejo being so west facing it can beeffected by westerly winds. During summer months Castelejo being sowest facing can catch any small Atlantic swells making it a great summer beach break, making it a great to beach to learn how to surfin the summer sun.
In the autumn it lights up and can be offer world class waves if the winds play ball and the sand bars have had a good time to reset after the winter storms. Withit having multiple sand bars you can catch waves along the whole beach.
Photo by Andy Troy
4.Beliche
A small sheltered beach north of Sagres, Beliche beach offers agreat peak wave with the right swell. It has a car park very close to the beach on the cliff and the walk down to the beach is greatas you enter into the amphitheatre of cliffs surrounding the beach.
The large cliffs make this a spectacular beach to surf at. The best months to surf Beliche are before and after the main summer months.
A treat of a wave and beach to surf for the intermediate to advanced surfer when its working.
Photo by Luis Gamito
5.Tonel
Just west ofthe Sagres town centre and within walking distance.Tonel is a great beach to surf for beginners to intermediates,it's waves are consistent but varied. It provides waves all year round and in winter months can get very swells hitting it which canbe spectacular.
It is sheltered from the north wind and has some great right and left handers to offer all along the beach.Tonel offers a great wave within walking distance of the town and its great bars and restaurants and there are many surf camp options just a stones throw from this great beach.
It is easy to access and a really beautiful beach to surf in the Algarve when the conditions are good.
Photo by Danny Bastiaanse
6.Zavial
East of the town of Sagres, Zavial is one of the best known southern Portuguese waves. it can be fast and hollow and gets offshore winds a lot of the time so can make even smaller swells stand up.
The beach is not as exposed to west winds but does get good swells wrapping around and hitting it. Its a clean hollow wave when it gets good swell and on small swells is great for beginners and intermediates.
On top of all that itis also a great beach just to chill out at and have a relaxing swim when the waves are not breaking on it.
Photo by Nuno Potes
7.Praia de Faro
Praia de Faro is a beach right below Faro situated on a sand spit that offers fairly consistent beginner waves all year round. While the waves are not always huge they are great for learning and it offers good beginner and longboard waves throughout the summer.
It can be reached by bridge from Faro and is a great beach to learn how to surf with good surf schools and surf camps in the area. The beaches run for miles and there are waves for everyone when the swells are good.
Monday to Saturday 09:30 to 18:30