How to Surf in Beira Litoral, Portugal

Beira Litoral in northern Portugal stretches from Estremadura almost to Oporto. Much of the coast is undeveloped and unexplored. Offering a wide array of waves, Beira Litoral is the perfect place to stage your own surf exploration.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surfboard
• Wetsuit
• Car
• Map
• Portuguese phrasebook

1. Gas up the jetski and get towed in at Nazaré. Underappreciated and undersurfed, Nazaré breaks over 8 meters. Watch for clean up sets and extremely strong currents.

2. Poke around the coast. The next established wave north of Nazaré is São Pedro de Muel, over 80 kilometers away. Between them lay hundreds of undiscovered spots on the open coastline. Camping on the beach isn’t recommended, but the nearby forest is wide-open.

3. Pretend that you’re in the WCT at Cabedelo. The former contest site holds up just as well as it did when the pros were there. Camp in the surrounding area or stay in nearby Figueira and hang out with the locals.

4. Head to the north side of Figueira to Buarcos. Big, smooth and consistent, this long righthander is surprisingly uncrowded; surprisingly, because it is a gorgeous wave. Carve your heart out here.

5. Try your hand at Espinho. It’s crowded, but for a reason. One of the best spots in northern Portugal, Espinho offers carving waves, tubes and fast rides.

Tips & Warnings

• Many other spots break in this area. However, a car is essential to find them.
• Surfing can be dangerous or evenly deadly. Make sure to familiarize yourself with your equipment before surfing.
• When exploring new spots, respect the locals, and make sure that you are constantly aware of your surroundings. Conditions can change very quickly.

Resources

• Weather and Wave Forecasts