Ericeira – Praia do Norte

Ericeira · Lisbon coast · Portugal

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Praia do Norte, also called Algodio, is the town beach at the north end of Ericeira. Waves break over a mix of rock and sand in peaks both ways, often forming an A-frame in the middle, with a wedgy left by the breakwater. It works on small swells and is an alternative when the famous reefs are crowded.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Reef break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Busy
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or fish.

When it works

✓ A 1–2.5 m north-west swell with an east wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Strong westerly winds and very big swells.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips
  • localism

Best months

September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April

Local tips

Check it from the cliff-top car park. Some rocks cover and uncover with the tide, so take care when you paddle in and out.

Getting there

Right below the north end of Ericeira town, between the town and the campsite, with parking on the cliff.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent: it starts working on about 1 m of swell and picks up anything from the north-west and west.
Crowd and vibe
Mostly local surfers. Guides describe the crowd as protective of their home break, so be patient and polite.
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 1 km away.
Facilities
Lifeguards in summer, toilets, showers and parking. All the shops and cafés of Ericeira are a short walk away.
Water quality
Rated excellent in the 2025 official bathing-water classification (APA).

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, WSW–N works
Size
1.2–2.5 m offshore swell; starts at 0.8 m, holds to 3.5 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 (280°)

Live cam

  • Praia dos Pescadores (next to Praia do Norte) · MEO Beachcam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Lisbon coast · All spots

Sources