If you are interested in taking a surfcamp or a surf and yoga retreat in Ericeira, this blogpost will help you decide which one is for you.
Surfing In Ericeira
Everything You Need to Know
The Complete Insider Guide to Surfing in Ericeira
Ericeira is the number one emerging surf mecca in Europe. All around the town you have a huge amount of waves and different surf spots. In this guide you’ll get all the info you need to make the absolute most out of those waves. If you’re planning on surfing in Ericeira, this page is for you.
The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve
That Ericeira is such a special place for surfing was internationally recognized in 2011 when Ericeira became the second world surfing reserve in the world.
The swell consistency, the amount of world class breaks within a short distance, together with Ericeira’s surf culture and unique environment all played part in the recognition. On top of an extremely beautiful coastline with dramatic cliffs surrounding the surf breaks, the water around Ericeira also offers a unique bio diversity.
Till this day Ericeira is the only world surfing reserve in Europe.
The characteristics of Ericeira Surf
First and foremost, Ericerira surf is known for its high density of breaks within a really small distance to each other. However, to be honest, unless you have some pretty serious surf skills, you are not going to be able to surf a majority of the breaks. With this said, regardless of your skill level, there is bound to be a wave for you around Ericeira. And further down in this guide, you can check out exactly which breaks are for you.
On top of the huge density of breaks, Ericeira is also well known for being a swell magnet. Meaning that if there are waves out on the Atlantic, which there usually are, then they are bound to hit the coast of Ericeira. And there are not a lot of shelter for swell or wind at any of the surf spots around. Thus if the Atlantic waves are too big and messy or if its windy, the surf will be big and messy in Ericeira.
When to Go and What to Expect
The most reliable surf and weather in Ericeira is from May till October. But that its the most reliable time for surfing in Ericeira, also means that this time of the year has the most crowds.
From November till April it’s less crowded and the surf can still be really good. But since its storm season out on the Atlantic this time of the year, the weather and surf are fickle. At times it can get very big and messy. Even so big and messy that it can be difficult to surf around Ericeira.
If it’s really big your best option around Ericeira is to surf at praia dos Pescadores, since its protected by the harbor. Other options you have is to drive towards Cascais or Peniche. Both these places are more wind and swell protected than Ericeira.
In the summer the waves in Ericeira are usually smaller and more beginner friendly than during other times of the year. However, that it’s smaller, does not mean that it’s too small. There are very few days of the year when Ericeira doesn’t get any waves at all.
Getting There and Getting Around
The best way to get to Ericeira is to fly into Lisbon. From Lisbon it’s either a 40 min drive to Ericeira, or about an hour bus ride from Campo Grande in Lisbon. If you want to know exact details on how to get from Lisbon to Ericeira, we recommend our blogpost: How to Get to Ericeira from Lisbon
To get around Ericeira and if you want to make the most out of your surfing, we’d recommend getting a rental car. This is because even though all the breaks are fairly close, they are still not within walking distance. Thus it’s hard to reach the various breaks and beaches around Ericeira without a car. Depending on your accommodation of choice you may be close to one or a few breaks, or you may be a very long walk from the ocean.
When it comes to public transport around Ericeira its far in between the buses and they will not take you to the beach. That is unless you are visiting in the summer. During the summertime there is a beach bus (with a special board carriage) connecting all the most popular beaches.
Another great option to move around Ericeira are the applications Uber and Bolt. Bolt is the cheaper one of the two but unfortunately doesn’t have as many drivers as Uber. A bolt ride from Ericeira to Ribamar (7 km) costs around 6 Eur. Normally the Bolt and Uber drivers are happy to fit your board in the car.
Water and Weather Temperature in Ericeira
Unfortunately you shouldn’t expect warm water when surfing in Ericeira. Due to cold Atlantic currents the water temperature around Ericeira is quite stable and cold all year around. In the summer it can get up to 18 degrees and in the winter it can go down to 13. Normally its somewhere in between.
When it comes to weather, the temperature is actually also quite stable all year around. Because Ericeira has an ocean climate influenced by the Atlantic, the summer rarely gets super-hot. And the winters rarely gets really cold. To find out even more specifics, you can check out our post on the weather in Ericeira.
What to Bring When Going Surfing in Ericeira
In the summer shorts and t-shirt is the best choice during the day. But at night it’s good to have a pair of jeans and a pullover. During the colder six months of the year, it’s nice to have a proper jacket to cover you from the cold wind.
If you are really lucky or appreciate wimhof type of cold baths, you may be able to score a summer day without need for wetsuit. However, this rarely happens.
Instead your best bet for a comfortable surf is a 4/3 wetsuit. We actually use 4/3 wetsuits all year around. In the summer its okay if the wetsuit is a bit old, but in the winter you don’t want any water leaking in. 3/2 wetsuits can also work at times during the summer. But if you don’t want to risk it and prefer feeling a bit warm instead of freezing, we recommend 4/3 thickness.
Where to get surfboards
Basically everywhere you go in Ericeira you will be able to rent surfboards. Close to all the major beaches (besides Sao Lourenco and Sao Julião) there will be rentals.
If you’re looking for a great deal, we do very cheap rentals (probably even the cheapest in town) at our guesthouse. So shoot us a whatsapp at +351 960 193 585, to get the best deal and see if we have any boards available when you’re in town. Check out our post on surfboard rental in Ericeira to find out more.
Prices
To get an understanding of the price level in Ericeira and how much you will spend during your visit, we’ve made a list of rough estimates. For European standards Ericeira is quite affordable. Especially if you like wine.
- Lunch: 5-15 Euro
- Dinner: 15-20 Euro
- Beer: 1,5 Euro
- Glass of Wine: 2-3 Euro
- Dormbed: 15-25 Euro/day
- Double room 40 – 100 Eur/day
- Surf lessons (in a group): 30 – 40 Eur /lesson
- Boardrentals: 20 – 40 Eur/day
Since Ericeira is very seasonal you can score the best deals in the off season, while the summer months will be a bit more expensive.
What to Eat After Surfing in Ericeira
After a surf it’s normal to be really hungry. Luckily we have some great insider tips on what to eat in Ericeira. If you’re looking for the best restaurants you can check out our page on the best restaurants in Ericeira.
If you instead prefer cooking and want to get really fresh and tasty weggies at an awesome price, we highly recommend the fruit and veggie store; Luis Carlos Alves in Baril. Everyone loves it.
For a good value and authentic after surf lunch, we recommend you to join all the local surfers at O Pescador in Ribamar. If you on the other hand want to do some shopping and have a good meal at the same time, The Intermarché supermarket is your best option. The supermarket actually has one of Ericeiras most popular restaurants, offering an ocean view, a great deal and really tasty food.
Where to Stay
Besides amazing waves, Ericeira is also a really nice place to stay at with lots of great accommodations. And regardless of if you choose to stay in the bustling center or in a more relaxed countryside setting, you will feel the surf atmosphere.
Some of our favorites include the luxurious Lahneez guesthouse and the Olive three hostel with its beautiful garden. If you’re looking for a place with a beautiful ocean view, you of course also have our place; Villa dos Irmãos.
The Surf Spots in Ericeira
Now that you know all the practicalities regarding surfing in Ericeira, lets’ duck dive into the specifics and check out the surfspots:
São Julião – Beginner to Intermediate
Sâo Juliao is a beachbreak of the long and beautiful São Julião beach, a 15 min drive south of Ericeira. The break is highly exposed both from wind and swell, so if its small waves (up to 1.5 m) and the wind is low this is a great option.
However, if its small everywhere else in Ericeira the break can also get crowded. Depending on the mood of the sandbars after the latest storm, there are several peaks, both left and right. Usually São Julião works best around mid-tide. For beginners, low tide is a good time for practicing pop-ups.
The café overlooking the beach has great Portuguese toasts and a beautiful view.
Foz do Lizandro – Beginner to Advanced
Foz do lizandro is a huge beach break with several lefts and rights a few km south of Ericeira. At smaller swells its suitable for any kind of surfer. Beginners especially like it for its forgiving sand bottom which is perfect for practicing popups during low tide.
If the conditions are right it can also provide barreling waves for the highly advanced surfers. Be aware that if there is any place in Ericeira where you risk having your board in two pieces after a surf, it’s at Foz.
Next to the beach there is a boardwalk with several good restaurants and bars.
Praia do Sul - Intermediate
Praia do Sul is located next to the Ericeira city center. It is one of the more wind and swell protected spots around Ericeira. So if its big everywhere else and you want something more mellow, this break can be a good option. The main wave of the break is a right hander that starts outside of the hotel Vila Gale.
Since Do Sul is one of the city breaks, there are several restaurants and cafés available for some after surf snacks. The café at the beginning of the beach (coming from Ericeira) is especially good for sunset watching.
Praia dos Pescadores – Beginner to intermediate
Praia dos Pescadores is the city break of Ericeira. Located in the fishing harbor it’s the most protected break of Ericeira and the only one that works if it’s really big waves. If its smaller than 2 m it doesn’t work, so it rarely works during the summertime.
As its sometimes during the winter the only break that works in Ericeira, it can get crowded.
If you’re surfing the mid-day session at Pescadores, we highly recommend finishing off with a wine soaked lunch at Tasquinha do Joy. Just make sure you already finished your most important chores for the day.
Praia do Norte – Intermediate to Advanced
Praia do Norte is a point/reef break. It’s the last of the city beaches and only works properly during a big swell and special conditions. But when it does work it can provide long rights.
Above the beach there are several restaurants and cafés. Among them the popular restaurant of the fishermen in Ericera.
Matadouro – Beginner to Intermediate
Just outside of the city center of Ericeira, you have the Matadouro break. It’s is a consistent point/reef break and offers lots of fun left and right peaks. Beginners usually surf close to the shore and this beginner part of the break can be quite busy with surf schools. Make sure to where booties if you’re a beginner, since the ground is a bit rocky.
Just above the break you have the popular skate park and boardriders surf shop. Make sure to not miss their legendary open air live music during Fridays in the summertime.
Pedra Branca – Advanced
Pedra branca is the place for scoring barrels in Ericeira, or the place for some serious wipeouts if you’re not a highly skilled surfer. The spot is an extremely powerful left hand reef break. Since it’s a small takeoff zone it can get pretty busy and it’s also highly popular among body boarders.
If you’re not ready to test you barrel skills just yet, the break has a beautiful lookout spot just above it, perfect for barrel watching if conditions are right. Its located opposite of the camping in Ericeira and there are lots of parking space available.
Backdoor and Reef – Advanced
Next to Pedra Branca before you reach Ribeira D’Ilhas you have two advanced spots; Backdoor and Reef. Both of these spots offer powerful right handers that breaks over shallow reef. It’s usually not that crowded here, maybe thanks to the shallowness of the reef.
Ribeira D’Ilhas – Beginner to Advanced
Ribeira is the most popular break around Ericeira and also the busiest. But luckily the break usually has enough peaks to entertain the crowd.
Since Riberia is located in a bay with dramatic high cliffs on either side, the break is not as wind exposed as a lot of other breaks around Ericeira. Since it’s a reef break, it’s also highly consistent.
The main peaks at Ribeira are rights (sometimes really long), but depending on where you’re located, you can also snag a shorter left every once in a while.
When you are surfing Ribeira its important to be cautious of the current as it can be quite heavy during big days. Unless you are an advanced surfer or its really small, you should always enter the water from the black rock (right side of the beach looking from the beach). This way you have time to paddle back towards the beach if the current is heavy. At low tide its best to exit the water next to the black rock, and at high tide its best to exit at the beach. If you are a complete beginner, booties are recommended.
In front of the break there is also a highly popular beach and a busy restaurant located in a beautifully designed wooden building surrounded by a boardwalk. Although the food sometimes leave a bit to be desired, the restaurant has an amazing surf vibe and a chill out area perfect for sunset and people watching. In the same building as the restaurant there are also two surf schools who rent out boards.
Cave - Highly Advanced
Cave is a right hander reef break. It’s the heaviest wave in Ericeira and only for highly advanced surfers. Not only does it break upon an extremely shallow and nasty reef, but also in front of a menacing rock.
Pro surfers have been known to surf here, and also getting injured here.
Crazy Left – Advanced
Crazy left is located on the opposite side of Coxos and is one of few lefts in Ericeira. As the name hints it’s a pretty difficult and dangerous wave unless you know what you’re doing. If conditions are right it can provide some great barrels.
Coxos - Advanced
Coxos is the most famous wave in Ericeira. Its considered the best wave in Portugal and one of the best point breaks in Europe (maybe even the world). Its only for advanced surfers, and when the conditions are right you will see why. Barrels and extremely powerful rides are not rare on a big day.
There is parking space available above the break. And even if the break isn’t compatible with your skill level just yet, we recommend you to stop by for some wave watching.
If you decide to give it a go, make sure to be careful upon exit and entry. There are a lot of sea urchins around.
São Lourenco – Intermediate to Advanced
São Lourenco is the most northerly spot of Ericeira. It’s a right hand reef/point break with a very intense drop. After the drop the wave usually becomes quite mellow. However, during the right conditions, it can provide a long and fun ride.
São Lourenco is supposed to be able to produce some very powerful big waves during big swells. But as the current in the bay can become nasty during bigger swells, you should be very careful giving it a go. Unfortunately, São Lourenco also suffers from some pretty bad localism.
By the beach in front of the break there is a nice café offering all the best Portuguese treats.
Other Surf Breaks
The above breaks are just all the breaks around Ericeira. But if you’re willing to travel a bit further, there are of course lots of other breaks to explore along the Portuguese coast. Some more secret than others. However, we will leave those for you to explore alone. Thus the greater the chances that you will find your private little spot.
Things to Do in Ericeira When Not Surfing
If the Surf in Ericeira is Flat or too big and messy (something that happens more often), Ericeira is a super cozy town that offer lots of other things to do besides surfing. Daytrips to beautiful destinations, amazing yoga shalas, trekking and jogging along dramatic coastal trails are example of things you can do. To read more about all the activities we recommend, you can check out our post on things to do in Ericeira.
Enjoy the surf!
Also Check Out
The cheapest Ericeira surfboard rental. If you are looking for surfboard rental in Ericeira this post is for you.
Everything you need to know about private surf lessons in Ericeira.
