Surfing Costa Vicentina

Right Point · Best Sep-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 4/5

W-NW swell, NE offshore wind (sheltered from N), mid tide

Arrifana is a horseshoe bay below high cliffs on the Costa Vicentina, the best-known surf spot on the west coast of the Algarve. It picks up a lot of swell and holds size well, and the bay is sheltered from the north wind that blows most days.

The main wave is the right at the north end of the bay, which peels from the point toward the harbour wall over uneven rock. It's fast and heavy, with boulders on the inside, and the takeoff spot gets crowded and competitive. It's for experienced surfers.

Further into the bay the beach break is easier, and that's where beginners and improvers sit. It's best on a solid west or north-west swell. On good days the car park fills with surf camps and people in vans.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-5 ft · Crowd 3/5

Small-mod swell, E offshore wind, all tides

Amado is a wide, open beach just south of Carrapateira and one of the most consistent spots in the Algarve. The peaks move along a long stretch of sand, so there's room for everyone.

There are softer peaks for improvers and faster, hollower banks further along. Because it's so exposed, it gets big and messy quickly when the swell rises, with strong rips and shorebreak. Several surf schools work here, so the lineup is a mix of students and locals.

There are no shops or houses by the beach, so bring what you need. Carrapateira, a few minutes north, has cafés and places to stay.

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

W-NW swell

Bordeira is a huge, open beach at Carrapateira, backed by dunes and a river. It picks up a lot of swell, and its sandbanks can produce powerful, hollow peaks.

With so much beach, the banks move all the time and a short walk can find you a different wave. On small days it's gentle, on bigger days it gets heavy, and the rips are strong once there's any size. It suits intermediate surfers and up.

Autumn and spring usually bring the best banks and swell. The walk over the dunes from the car park keeps the crowd small, and the river behind the beach is good for a swim on flat days. Carrapateira village, above the beach, has a few cafés and guesthouses.

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-7 ft · Crowd 1/5

Moderate W-NW swell

Cordama is a beach a few kilometres north of Arrifana, with short, hollow waves when the banks are good and a couple of other peaks nearby that get bigger as the swell rises.

It's reached on a dusty dirt road with no signs, so it gets far fewer people than Arrifana. A medium west to north-west swell is best.

There are no facilities at the beach, and Arrifana, a few minutes south, has cafés and surf schools.

Beach Break · Best Sep-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

NW swell, E-SE offshore wind, low to mid tide

Castelejo is a long beach under dark cliffs on the west coast, a few kilometres from Vila do Bispo, with Cordama just to the north. It picks up almost every swell and has several peaks over sand and rock.

It's at its best on a north-west swell with an easterly wind, from low to mid tide. On bigger days it's powerful, with strong currents and rocks at the southern end.

The road down from Vila do Bispo is narrow but paved, and there's a restaurant on the beach.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-6 ft · Crowd 2/5

NW swell, E offshore wind, mid tide

Monte Clérigo is a small beach village 8 km west of Aljezur, a few kilometres north of Arrifana. It catches swell all year, with lefts and rights over sand. It's at its best around mid tide with an easterly wind, and it's much quieter than Arrifana.

It suits beginners and improvers on small days. When the swell is big there are strong currents along the beach.

In summer it's a busy family beach with surf schools; from autumn to spring it gets better swell and far fewer people. The village has a couple of restaurants by the sand. Aljezur, about fifteen minutes inland, has more places to stay.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-6 ft · Crowd 2/5

NW swell, E offshore wind, low to mid tide

Odeceixe is the northernmost beach of the Algarve, where the Seixe river meets the sea and marks the border with the Alentejo. The beach sits between two cliffs, with the river curling round behind the sand.

The waves are mostly gentle peaks over sand, best from low to mid tide with an east wind. It's a good beach for learning, and the calm river is popular with families.

It gets busy in July and August. The rest of the year there are few surfers.

The village of Odeceixe, a few minutes inland, has guesthouses and restaurants.