Ericeira – São Lourenço

Ericeira · Lisbon coast · Portugal

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Ericeira – São Lourenço (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/ericeira-sao-lourenco.

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São Lourenço is the northern end of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, a small sandy bay with a right-hand reef out at its north end. The take-off sits a long way out, about 300 m off the beach, and the ride can run for more than 150 m. The drop is steep and fast, then the wave slows into easier inside sections. It holds some of the biggest swells on this coast.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, sand and rock
Waves
Rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or step-up; a longer gun on the biggest days.

When it works

✓ A solid north-west swell of 2 m or more with a light east wind, around mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide makes it slow and full, and small swells don't reach the reef.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • currents

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

Watch a few sets from the cliff before you paddle out, because the peak is far out and easy to misjudge. Guides disagree on the tide: some prefer low to mid, others mid on the rise. The slower inside sections are where intermediates can pick off waves.

Getting there

Drive north from Ericeira past Ribamar and follow the signs down to Praia de São Lourenço. There is parking above the beach.

Travel notes

How often it works
It needs a real swell: at least 1.5–2 m of north-west groundswell before the reef starts to break. In return it handles very big days that close out the beaches.
Crowd and vibe
It is usually quiet on weekdays, with a few surfers at weekends. The crowd is mostly experienced locals, so wait your turn.
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 4 km away.
Facilities
The beach has a summer lifeguard, toilets, showers and parking. Restaurants and shops are in Ribamar and Ericeira.
Water quality
Rated excellent in the 2025 official bathing-water classification (APA), and it flies a Blue Flag in 2026.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, W–N works
Size
2–4 m offshore swell; starts at 1.5 m, holds to 6 m
Period
11 s minimum, best from 14 s
Wind
Offshore ENE–SE; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
WNW (285°)

Live cam

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

Nearby spots

All spots in Lisbon coast · All spots

Sources