Surfing Ribeira Grande

Ribeira Grande, on São Miguel's north coast, is a black-sand beach in front of the town of the same name, with a rivermouth at one end. It picks up north and north-west swell well, with short, punchy peaks and sometimes a longer right off the river.

It's the busiest surf spot on the island, with a small local crowd and a couple of surf schools. The water is cool all year and the weather changes fast, so check the forecast often.

It works best from autumn to spring on a north or north-west swell. The town has cafés and places to stay, and the black-sand beach of Santa Bárbara, just west, is the island's other main surf spot.