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Surfer walking on Carcavelos beach at sunset, near Lisbon

Cascais & Estoril · Portugal

Surfing Santo Amaro

A right point in Cascais & Estoril, Portugal, for advanced and pro surfers.

Right Point · Best Oct-Mar · Advanced / Pro · 3-10 ft

Cascais & Estoril (no photo of Santo Amaro yet) · Photo: Sonse

Santo Amaro is a right point over reef at Santo Amaro de Oeiras, on the stretch of coast between Lisbon and Cascais. It sits inside the river mouth, so it needs a big swell to break, and it's one of the few waves near Lisbon that works when a south-west winter storm comes through.

When it's on, the rights are long and powerful and it suits advanced surfers. On normal days it's flat. The water near Lisbon can be polluted after heavy rain, so check before you go.

TypeRight Point
LevelAdvanced / Pro
Size3-10 ft
Best monthsOct-Mar
Crowd1/5
ConditionsBig SW-W winter swell, N wind

When to surf
Santo Amaro

Santo Amaro is at its best from October to March. Conditions it likes: Big SW-W winter swell, N wind.

October to March: Prime

Consistent NW-W swell, mild city winter

April to May: Good

Reliable swell, warming water, fewer crowds

June to August: Quiet

Smaller waves, packed beaches, strong summer thermal wind at Guincho

The year across Lisbon Coast

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PrimeGoodQuiet

Where to stay near Santo Amaro

Moby Dick students carrying boards on a beach near Sintra
Moby Dick surfers waiting for waves under the cliffsSurf lesson on the sand with Moby DickThe Moby Dick surf lodge in Malveira da Serra, CascaisThe Moby Dick surf house in Colares, SintraRoom with a balcony and hill views at the Cascais lodgeDouble room at the Moby Dick lodge

Moby Dick Surf Camp

Malveira da Serra (Cascais) and Colares (Sintra) · two surf lodges in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

from €325per person, 5 nights with 4 surf lessons, low season, in a room for 3–4
  • Two surf lodges, in Cascais and in Sintra
  • Guincho and Praia Grande about 5 minutes away
  • Transport, board, wetsuit and insurance included
  • Surf and yoga packs
  • Private and shared rooms

Moby Dick has two surf houses in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park: a lodge in Malveira da Serra, five minutes above Guincho, and a renovated house in Colares, near Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs. Lessons last two hours and suit all levels, and the instructors pick whichever beach has the best conditions that day. Packs include transport to the beach, board, wetsuit and insurance.

Surf packs (low season)ForPer person
Surf Break
5 nights, 4 lessons of 2 hours, a tour
All levels€325
Surf and Yoga Break
5 nights, 4 surf lessons, 4 yoga classes, a tour
All levels€400
Best Surf Week of Your Life
7 nights, 5 lessons of 2 hours, a tour
All levels€415
Intensive Surf Week
7 nights, 10 lessons, a tour
Improvers who want more time in the water€540

Prices per person in euros, as listed on the camp's website, for low season (December to April) in a room shared by 3–4. Private rooms cost more, and prices go up in mid and high season (July to September is high). Both houses have a guest kitchen; breakfast is served from May to October and there are group barbecues.

Getting there

Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Cascais & Estoril guide.

Cascais & Estoril surf guide

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