Swell chasing

You can choose to surf on the south or west coast, so there’s no big mystery. You can surf almost any swell. If it’s a small one from north or west, head to the west coast. When the big stuff is from those same directions, you can search for a spot that handles all the power, or just turn south and relax on medium sized waves.

A south swell can deliver some nice waves on the south coast, but you have to be lucky to score one.

The Sagres area

Located on the southwest tip of Europe, it’s one of the few Portuguese coast jewels that are still safe from the building fever that’s been spreading like a disease. Expect to find empty beaches, amazing landscapes and local people that don’t seem too keen on strangers but be patient and take your time to meet them, respect their culture and habits and you won’t be disappointed. Sagres, it’s just a small village (population 2.000) surrounded by nature. The roads are nice and you can find all the basics: camping, supermarket, restaurants, gas station, bars, surf camps and surf shops.

Accommodation

A brand new hotel – Baleeira – and many other options. Rooms and houses to rent, camp site, surf camps and small hotels, you just need to have a look at your budget and decide. In July and August you need to make your reservations ahead or you’ll be sleeping on the beach. Sagres is so fashionable these days that last summer the Coca-Cola supply was over during August!

Five things to do

• Go out at night and keep getting in and out of the 3 bars that stand by each other on the main street. They are door to door, and they all throw Summer parties at the same time. Don’t pick one, just keep changing all night long.
• If the swell is too small and the north wind starts blowing hard, get a bike and ride it over the hills. Besides shaping up, you’ll get to appreciate the landscape and – who knows? – maybe you find a new spot.
• For a night out with some urban feeling, try Lagos (20km drive) or if you really want a big night out, go to Portimão (60km drive) where you can find big discos and feel the Summer beat with all the tourists and locals looking for some serious fun until the sun rises.
• Go to the local surfshops, restaurants and general commerce. Give your contribution to the local economy.
• Try the seafood and the fresh fish, delicious and not that expensive.

More info in our Surf Tripper’s Guide To Portugal.