Ribeira d'Ilhas & Coxos · Portugal
Surfing Coxos
A right point/reef in Ribeira d'Ilhas & Coxos, Portugal, for advanced and pro surfers.
Coxos is a right reef and point just north of Ribeira d'Ilhas, and many surfers would put it among the best waves in Europe. It has a hollow takeoff followed by long, fast walls down the reef.
It needs a solid north-west groundswell and light offshore wind, so it only really works on proper swells, mostly from autumn to spring. The reef is shallow, the paddle-out takes local knowledge, and the crowd is skilled and tight-knit.
It's for advanced surfers only. Watch it from the cliff first and see where the locals sit and how they get in and out.
When to surf
Coxos
Coxos is at its best from October to March. Conditions it likes: Big NW swell, offshore wind.
October to February: Prime
Biggest, most consistent NW/W groundswell, cold but firing
March to April: Good
Reliable swell, milder water, shoulder-season crowds
May to June: Quiet
Smaller and patchier, pleasant weather
July to August: Avoid
Small summer swell, packed beaches, high season prices
The year across Ericeira
Waves near Coxos
Ribeira d'Ilhas
under 1 kmRibeira d'Ilhas & Coxos · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced / Pro
Crazy Left
under 1 kmRibeira d'Ilhas & Coxos · Left Reef · Advanced / Pro
Reef
1 kmEriceira Town & South · Right Reef · Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: A handful of surf houses and guesthouses sit right above the point - the closest you'll get to rolling out of bed onto a world-class wave. Book well ahead for the Oct-Nov contest season.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Ribeira d'Ilhas & Coxos guide.
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