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Best time to surf in Portugal
The best time to surf in Portugal is Nov–Mar. Average wave height across 41 spots peaks at 2.4 m (7.9 ft) in February (swell from WNW, 11 s period), compared with 1.2 m (4.1 ft) in July. Figures are 2015–2024 monthly averages.
Portugal surf season by month
| Month | Avg. wave height | Avg. period | Swell from | Avg. wind | Days ≥ 1 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2.2 m (7.2 ft) | 10 s | WNW | 9 kt | 94% |
| February | 2.4 m (7.9 ft) | 11 s | WNW | 10 kt | 95% |
| March | 2.2 m (7.4 ft) | 10 s | WNW | 10 kt | 96% |
| April | 1.8 m (5.8 ft) | 9 s | WNW | 9 kt | 91% |
| May | 1.5 m (5.0 ft) | 8 s | WNW | 10 kt | 88% |
| June | 1.3 m (4.3 ft) | 7 s | NW | 10 kt | 80% |
| July | 1.2 m (4.1 ft) | 7 s | NW | 10 kt | 80% |
| August | 1.3 m (4.1 ft) | 7 s | NW | 10 kt | 78% |
| September | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) | 8 s | NW | 8 kt | 81% |
| October | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) | 9 s | WNW | 9 kt | 89% |
| November | 2.1 m (6.8 ft) | 10 s | WNW | 9 kt | 93% |
| December | 2.2 m (7.3 ft) | 10 s | WNW | 9 kt | 95% |
By coast
Porto
Matosinhos, Azurara, Canidelo, Póvoa de Varzim, Ribeira. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.4 m (7.9 ft) in February from WNW.
Lisbon
Carcavelos, Ericeira, Guincho. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.6 m (8.7 ft) in February from NW.
Aveiro
Espinho, Esmoriz, Furadouro, Cortegaça, Praia da Barra, Praia da Vagueira. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.1 m (6.9 ft) in February from WNW.
Setúbal
Monte de Caparica, Praia do Portinho da Costa, Fonte da Telha, São Torpes, Costa da Caparica. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.6 m (8.5 ft) in February from NW.
Leiria
Nazaré, Peniche (Supertubos), Baleal, Amoreira, Praia São Pedro de Moel, Praia de Paredes de Vitória, Praia da Foz do Arelho-Lagoa. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.8 m (9.2 ft) in February from NW.
Coimbra
Figueira da Foz, Barra, Praia da Tocha. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.6 m (8.5 ft) in February from WNW.
Algarve
Arrifana, Sagres, Praia do Amado. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.6 m (8.6 ft) in February from NW.
Faro
Praia Grande (Ferragudo), Faro, Praia do Zavial, Beliche, Praia da Cordoama. Best Nov–Mar; peak 1.4 m (4.7 ft) in February from W.
Viana do Castelo
Viana do Castelo. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.8 m (9.2 ft) in February from WNW.
Braga
Ofir. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.8 m (9.2 ft) in February from WNW.
Beja
Praia do Tonel. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.6 m (8.5 ft) in February from NW.
Lisboa
Areia Branca. Best Nov–Mar; peak 2.9 m (9.5 ft) in February from NW.
Month by month
Surfing Portugal in January
January is peak season: average wave height 2.2 m (7.2 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 9 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 94% of days.
Surfing Portugal in February
February is peak season: average wave height 2.4 m (7.9 ft), period 11 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 95% of days.
Surfing Portugal in March
March is peak season: average wave height 2.2 m (7.4 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 96% of days.
Surfing Portugal in April
April is off-season: average wave height 1.8 m (5.8 ft), period 9 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 9 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 91% of days.
Surfing Portugal in May
May is off-season: average wave height 1.5 m (5.0 ft), period 8 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 88% of days.
Surfing Portugal in June
June is off-season: average wave height 1.3 m (4.3 ft), period 7 s, swell mostly from NW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 80% of days.
Surfing Portugal in July
July is off-season: average wave height 1.2 m (4.1 ft), period 7 s, swell mostly from NW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 80% of days.
Surfing Portugal in August
August is off-season: average wave height 1.3 m (4.1 ft), period 7 s, swell mostly from NW, wind averaging 10 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 78% of days.
Surfing Portugal in September
September is off-season: average wave height 1.4 m (4.7 ft), period 8 s, swell mostly from NW, wind averaging 8 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 81% of days.
Surfing Portugal in October
October is off-season: average wave height 1.8 m (5.9 ft), period 9 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 9 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 89% of days.
Surfing Portugal in November
November is peak season: average wave height 2.1 m (6.8 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 9 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 93% of days.
Surfing Portugal in December
December is peak season: average wave height 2.2 m (7.3 ft), period 10 s, swell mostly from WNW, wind averaging 9 kt. Waves reach at least 1 m on 95% of days.
Best months by spot
| Spot | Region | Best months | Peak average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amoreira | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Areia Branca | Lisboa | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Arrifana | Algarve | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Azurara | Porto | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Baleal | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Barra | Coimbra | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.3 ft) (Feb) |
| Beliche | Faro | Oct–Apr | 0.8 m (2.8 ft) (Mar) |
| Canidelo | Porto | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Carcavelos | Lisbon | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Cortegaça | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Costa da Caparica | Setúbal | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Ericeira | Lisbon | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Esmoriz | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Espinho | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Faro | Faro | Nov–Apr | 1.0 m (3.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Figueira da Foz | Coimbra | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.6 ft) (Feb) |
| Fonte da Telha | Setúbal | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.3 ft) (Feb) |
| Furadouro | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.3 ft) (Feb) |
| Guincho | Lisbon | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Matosinhos | Porto | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Monte de Caparica | Setúbal | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Nazaré | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Ofir | Braga | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Peniche (Supertubos) | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia Grande (Ferragudo) | Faro | Nov–Mar | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia São Pedro de Moel | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.3 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia da Barra | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia da Cordoama | Faro | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia da Foz do Arelho-Lagoa | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.9 m (9.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia da Tocha | Coimbra | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.6 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia da Vagueira | Aveiro | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.6 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia de Paredes de Vitória | Leiria | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.3 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia do Amado | Algarve | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia do Portinho da Costa | Setúbal | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia do Tonel | Beja | Nov–Mar | 2.6 m (8.5 ft) (Feb) |
| Praia do Zavial | Faro | Nov–Mar | 1.4 m (4.7 ft) (Feb) |
| Póvoa de Varzim | Porto | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
| Ribeira | Porto | Nov–Mar | 1.9 m (6.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Sagres | Algarve | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) (Feb) |
| São Torpes | Setúbal | Nov–Mar | 2.5 m (8.1 ft) (Feb) |
| Viana do Castelo | Viana do Castelo | Nov–Mar | 2.8 m (9.2 ft) (Feb) |
Common questions
What is the best month to surf in Portugal?
February has the biggest average swell in Portugal: 2.4 m (7.9 ft) from WNW at 11 s. The wider window with consistent waves is Nov–Mar.
When is surf season in Portugal?
Surf season in Portugal runs Nov–Mar, when average wave height stays at or above 2.1 m (6.8 ft) across the spots we track. Outside that window the average drops to 1.2 m (4.1 ft) in July.
Can you surf in Portugal in winter?
Yes. In December the average wave height is 2.2 m (7.3 ft) with waves of at least 1 m on 95% of days, so there are rideable waves, but swell is smaller and shorter-period than in Nov–Mar.
Method: hourly significant wave height, peak period and direction for 2015–2024 at the open-water model point nearest each spot, averaged by month across 41 spots. Direction is a height-weighted vector mean. Data: ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis (waves: ERA5-Ocean) via Open-Meteo.com, CC BY 4.0. Computed 2026-10-10.