Surfing with Northwest Wind in Portugal. From Viana to Zavial
Discover everything about surfing with NW wind in Portugal
Why is northwest wind so decisive?
With a strong northwest wind (NW), many west-facing beaches in Portugal get blown out. Waves break messy and choppy. Far from ideal.
Still, in Portugal, thanks to its unique coastline, you can almost always find a sheltered surf spot where conditions are good. Think of piers, south-facing bays, or early morning sessions with glassy waves.
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Northern Portugal. Surf spots around and above Porto
Northern Portugal is often skipped by travelers, but that’s a shame. There are several spots here that remain surfable even with NW wind:
- Praia do Cabedelo (Viana do Castelo): Sheltered by a long pier. Works with NW wind. Wide beach break with long walls.
- Salgueira Beach (Póvoa de Varzim): Big sandy area with mellow peaks. Great for longboarders and beginners.
- Aguçadoura: Powerful, consistent beach break. Works with light NW wind. A local favorite.
- Espinho & Esmoriz: Espinho = punchy beach break, Esmoriz = multiple peaks. Surfable with weak NW wind, especially in the morning.
Near Porto, you also have Matosinhos – the go-to spot in Northern Portugal where surfing is still good in northwest winds. The harbor wall blocks most of the NW wind. Since Matosinhos is partly sheltered, you’ll need enough swell power: at least 1.2 – 1.5 meters from W or NW.
Central Portugal: Peniche & Baleal
Peniche is one of the most windproof surf zones in Europe. Whatever the wind direction, you’ll almost always find a wave here:
- Molhe Leste: Perfect with NW wind. Protected by a pier, clean fast waves. Best with mid to high tide. Needs solid swell from N or NW, but with W or SW swell it breaks more easily.
- Cantinho da Baía: South-facing bay. NW wind is sideshore to offshore here. Great for progression and longboarding.
- Lagide: Left-hand reef break. NW wind isn’t ideal, but with light wind it’s surfable – especially for mellow, longer rides.
Between Peniche and Lisbon
Ericeira: World Surfing Reserve with options in NW wind
Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve for a reason: more than 10 surf spots within 8 km of coastline, from mellow beach breaks to heavy reef barrels. But… many of them face west, taking the full hit of NW wind.
There are exceptions though:
- São Lourenço: Northernmost spot of Ericeira, in a bay. NW wind is usually cross-shore or slightly offshore. Works well with W/NW swell from 1.5 m+. Long, powerful rights – top for intermediates.
- Foz do Lizandro: Wide, accessible beach break. Surfable with weak NW wind, especially in the morning. Multiple peaks, suitable for all levels.
- Praia do Sul (Praia da Baleia): More sheltered from NW wind thanks to rocks and the hotel wall. Smaller, cleaner waves with the right swell angle. Often underrated.
- Ribeira d’Ilhas: Sensitive to NW wind, but with light breeze early in the day it can still work. A beautiful right-hand point break, best for advanced surfers. With N wind it’s less affected.
Tip: In strong NW winds, combine Ericeira with a trip south (Caparica) or inland Alentejo. But if it’s just a light breeze: São Lourenço and Praia do Sul are your best picks.
Around Lisbon: Costa da Caparica & Cascais
- Costa da Caparica – CDS & Nova Vaga: Thanks to the jetties, NW wind is broken up. Multiple peaks. Best in the morning and with light swell (>0.8m).
- São João da Caparica: Quieter spot, a bit more sheltered. Great for intermediates and lessons.
- Guincho: Only surfable with very light NW wind or super early. Beautiful setting but very wind-exposed.
- Carcavelos: Just below Lisbon, at the mouth of the Tagus. West- to southwest-facing, with full Atlantic exposure. Works best with W–WSW swell of 1.0 to 2.0 meters.
Alentejo: Portugal’s quiet surf gem
Peace, space, and surprisingly good waves. The Alentejo region is often overlooked, but it hides gems that work with NW wind (though N wind is generally better). Especially with W or SW swell:
- Praia do Carvalhal (Comporta): Wide, quiet break. Surfable with W/NW swell. Bank-dependent, but usually mellow and long.
- São Torpes (near Sines): Half reef, half sand. Sheltered by the harbor pier. Barrels with NW swell. Works year-round.
- Praia dos Aivados: Long, empty beach. Nice peaks, good with NW swell and offshore with south wind.
- Malhão Beach: Open beach break, works with good sandbanks. Quiet and beautiful.
- Porto Covo & Vila Nova de Milfontes: Charming coastal towns with several sheltered breaks nearby.
Algarve: south coast as plan B with NW wind
The west coast of the Algarve (around Arrifana, Amado) is wide open to NW wind, but the south coast often saves the day. Provided the swell is strong enough (at least 1.2 – 1.5 m on the west coast), enough waves will wrap around into the south side.
- Praia do Zavial: South-facing bay. NW wind = offshore. Beautiful right-hand walls. Works only with solid W–SW swell. Also see surfing in Zavial.
- Praia da Rocha: Big city beach. Often surprisingly surfable in NW wind. Fun for funboards and longboards.
- Praia do Amado: West coast spot. NW wind = blown out, but early morning glass can be magic.
Frequently Asked Questions about surfing with northwest wind
Not always. It depends on your surf spot’s orientation. At south-facing beaches or near piers, NW can even be offshore.
Use Windguru and check wind direction. South-facing spots + W/SW swell = top combo in NW wind.
At least 1.2 to 1.5 meters on the west coast. Then enough wraps into sheltered bays like Zavial or Praia da Rocha.
Morning. Winds are often lighter and conditions cleaner.
Peniche & Baleal, followed by Matosinhos near Porto. Then Caparica and the south Algarve, if swell is strong enough.
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