Surfing Paul do Mar

Paul do Mar is a right-hand reef break in front of the fishing harbour of the same name, a few kilometres west of Jardim do Mar on Madeira's south-west coast. Surfers call it Jardim's younger sister.

On a north-west to north winter swell it throws fast, powerful and sometimes barrelling rights over a rock bottom, and it can go from fun to very heavy as the swell builds. Harbour and sea-wall works have changed the wave over the years, so it doesn't break as often or as well as it used to. The currents are strong. It's for experienced surfers, and the harbour wall is the place to check it first.