Achadas da Cruz

Porto Moniz · Madeira · Portugal

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Achadas da Cruz (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/achadas-da-cruz.

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Below the high cliffs of Achadas da Cruz, on Madeira's north-west corner, a rocky headland gives two rights over flat rock. The better one is short and fast, with a steep drop and hollow sections. It is one of the most consistent spots on the island. It is remote and quiet, and the few locals know it inside out.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Quiet
Season
winter, autumn
Boards
A shortboard.

When it works

✓ A medium north-west swell of 1.5–2.5 m with a south-east to south-west wind; it works at most tides.

When it doesn't

✕ Strong north-east trade winds blow across it, and very big swells close it out.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • localism

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

Go with someone who knows the way down and the entry over the rocks. Sources disagree on the best wind: surf-forecast says south-west, The Surf Atlas says east.

Getting there

Down the steep cliffs from the village of Achadas da Cruz, off the ER101 west of Porto Moniz.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent: surf-forecast calls it usually a safe bet in autumn and winter, and wannasurf says it breaks about 150 days a year.
Crowd and vibe
Usually empty. The Surf Atlas says locals have it wired, so be patient and polite.
Camping and vans
The council-run Parque de Campismo do Porto Moniz sits in the Ribeira da Janela valley, about 100 m from the beach there, with showers, toilets, a laundry and a cooking area. It reopened in 2026 after several months of repairs; it is the only campsite on Madeira. Nearest campsite about 6 km away.
Facilities
None at the spot; small shops and cafés in Achadas da Cruz and Porto Moniz.
Water quality
No official bathing site is listed here. The nearest, Porto Moniz, was rated excellent in the EU bathing-water assessment (EEA data from APA and the regional government) for the last three seasons.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, W–N works
Size
1.5–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 1.2 m, holds to 3.5 m
Period
10 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore E–SSW; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
NW (305°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Madeira · All spots

Sources