Surfing

The Southwestern shore of Algarve is a wild and uncrowded stretch of coast yet minutes away from the famous resort of Lagos and Sagres. The Western coast is one of the major surfing destinations for serious surfers from around the globe as the long Atlantic rollers sweeping onto the west coast beaches offering some of the most consistent braks in Europe. Waves break both on the Southern and Western coasts, always providing a surfing alternative according to the swell and within a maximum thirty minute drive.

It is a surfing destination unrivaled anywhere in Europe and unique in the way that it will give you a genuine taste of surfing lifestyle. The surf spots themselves are surrounded by wide and breathtaking scenery, with steep reddish cliffs, wide sandy beaches and no real estate developments or seaside resorts in sight. Major surf spots include Odeceixe, Monte Clerico, Carrapateira, Bordeira, Praia do Amado, Cordoama , and Sagres.

Sagres
Europe's southwestern most point, this peninsula is surrounded by the Atlantic to the south and the west, providing numerous surf spots and surfing options according to swell conditions. Suitable for intermediates. Tonel is the most popular beach, wave size 4' - 6'. Ideal wind direction - East, North east.

Praia do Amado

Most famous surf spot. Large sandy beach with dunes ideal for beginners - this is where many surf schools do their teaching. Wave size 6' - 8' Winter/Spring, 4' - 6' Autumn/Summer. Ideal wind direction- East

Carrapateira/Bordeira

Adjacent to Praia do Amado. Splendid surf spot with sandy beach accessed through a lagoon surrounded by dunes. Perfect for beginners, but watch out for the undercurrent. Wave size Spring/Autumn 2'- 4', Winter 4'- 6' Summer 0' - 2'. Ideal wind direction - SW/SE/E

Arrifana

North of Carrapateira, a scenic surf spot and beach showcased by a high cliff topped by a picturesque village. Beach break, usually half the size of other west coast beaches - good when others are too big. Good right , but it only breaks with at least 1.5 meter swell. Suitable for intermediates. Wave size Autumn/Winter 8' - 12', Spring 4' - 6', Summer 2' - 4'.
Ideal wind direction - All

When the forecast swell gets really big on the west coast (4m+ which happens quite regular in winter) this is the time to head around to the south coast beaches as the swell gets in to the southerly facing Algarve. Meia Praia beach in Lagos is worth a mention here as it faces East so is also good when the wind is westerly.

Zavial

On the south coast this secluded beach only really works with a 6' plus swell on the west coast. Facing south the best wind direction is anything northerly, but on its day this is a classy beach.

Meia Praia

Meia Praia at Lagos is another beach that only really works when there is a 6' plus swell on the west coast. Facing east, the best wind direction is westerly. This is a long beach but the place to surf is at the Lagos end opposite 'Linda's Bar'.