WA
1313 posts
Lived there for 3 months a few years ago and worked as a surf instructor running week long trips starting from Porto and ending up in the Algarve. Plenty of waves around all over the place. Peniche is defiantly the hub and is a great place if you don't mind the smell of fish! As it is a peninsular you can always find somewhere with waves and that is off shore.
The Algarve is a fun place and a bit warmer than the rest of the coast and can be less crowded as you need to hunt for waves a bit more.
WA
8132 posts
Whole coast is sick from Oporto north round into Spain some bigger waves. Further south heaps of points and beachies. Not so many girls compared to France.
Wish I was going :(
196 posts
If you're coming to Portugal, you'll have plenty of options, as we have a pretty long stretch of coastline (if you think how small our country is).
I would however say that august is like the windiest month of the year, but that can be fine, if you also bring a Kite. :p
Last year August was really good since unlike all odds, the winds were always light, which provided really good surf.
I live in Peniche, and it's no longer super smelly. You still have the fish flour factory so you'll always have some smell, but a few years ago the smell used to be so strong that you'd almost puke if you were surfing Supers and you had north wind.
As for other options, you have plenty.
If you want, send me a message and i'll give you some tips on surfing, sight seeing and accomodation.
Last year I ended up SUP surfing a lot of times with a fellow from Israel who also comes to the Breeze.
One thing is for sure. Here in Portugal, if you show some surfing skills and respect, you won't feel the well known SUP hate.
Johnny
WA
252 posts
spent a month surfing in Portugal in summer in the mid-80's, based near Ericeira. Great surf, lotsa seafood, cheap wine, beautiful women, all sitting on the beach tanning, no-one swimming, ços the water's FREEZING! Gulf stream doesn't hit Portugal on the mid-coast, take a steamer & booties.
WA
3 posts
Spent a lot of time in Portugal over the years and I love it, there are so many options, apart from the usual spots peniche and ericeira,the south west corner of algarve is not to be missed,Praia do carripeteria is probably one of the most overlooked beaches around ,it's neighbour Amado takes all the crowds,
The people are friendly ,food and beer is good and cheap, less than €1 for a beer or coffee in the small local villages , how gan u go wrong??? U should love it there
As for Spain , I lived there for over 2 yrs and travelled up and down the coast, get the Footprints surfing Europe book,to find all the good spots,there are so many of them
If u want any info just mail me
WA
202 posts
Thanks. Guys . Fantastic. I'll keep doing the research. SUP surfing , beer , pretty girls , good food and GOLF Does it get better .
ACT
194 posts
I surfed there in the late '80s. Caught some big swells at a break called Coxos (pronounced Ko-shosh).
The local board maker was "Cemente Surfboards' - nice boards, 'cemente' is Portugese for 'seed'.
Steamers-ville water temp wise north of the Algarve.
