Ericeira – Matadouro

Ericeira · Lisbon coast · Portugal

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Matadouro is a reef peak in front of Praia do Matadouro at the north end of Ericeira town, between Pedra Branca and Praia do Norte. It breaks as an A-frame over rock and sand: the left is slower and softer, the right is steeper and more powerful. It suits improving surfers on small days, which makes it popular with surf schools.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Reef break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Crowded
Season
spring, summer, autumn
Boards
A mid-length, fish or shortboard.

When it works

✓ A 1–2 m north-west to west swell with an east wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Big winter swells, which make it heavy and dumpy, and strong westerly winds.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • crowds

Best months

March, April, May, June, September, October, November

Local tips

Walk out through the gap in the rocks in front of the beach. Wear booties for the sea urchins.

Getting there

In the north of Ericeira town, below the cliff between the town and the road to Ribeira d'Ilhas.

Travel notes

How often it works
Regular: it starts working on about 1 m of swell and picks up north-west, west and south-west swells. It is best in spring and autumn; big winter days close it out.
Crowd and vibe
Usually crowded, with surf schools and visitors as well as locals.
Camping and vans
Ericeira Camping at Mil Regos, on the N247 just north of town, is open all year and sits about 200 m from the sea. Next to it, the Mil Regos motorhome area has about 15 places with water and waste disposal. Portuguese law limits motorhome overnight stays to 48 hours outside campsites and bans them in protected areas. Nearest campsite about 0.5 km away.
Facilities
Little at the beach itself. Ericeira town, with cafés, surf shops and schools, is a short walk away.
Water quality
We found no official bathing-water rating for Praia do Matadouro; nearby Praia do Norte was rated excellent in 2025 (APA).

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, WSW–NNW works
Size
1.2–2.2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–SE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best
Faces
W (275°)

Live cam

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

Nearby spots

All spots in Lisbon coast · All spots

Sources