Nazaré – Praia do Norte

Nazaré · Portugal Centro · Portugal

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Praia do Norte is the beach north of the Nazaré headland, where the Nazaré submarine canyon focuses Atlantic swell into some of the biggest surfed waves on Earth. In winter big-wave teams tow and paddle into giant peaks while crowds watch from the São Miguel Arcanjo fort and lighthouse. On smaller days it is still a very powerful, heavy beach break for experts only.

Level
Experts only
Break
Beach break, sand
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter
Boards
A step-up or gun on most days; tow boards on giant days.

When it works

✓ For normal surfing, a clean 1–2 m west swell with an east wind in the morning, at low to mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ Anything over about 2.5 m is big-wave territory for teams with jet skis and safety crews.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • currents
  • shorebreak
  • rocks

Best months

October, November, December, January, February, March

Local tips

Never surf it alone when it is over 2 m, wannasurf warns. Morning sessions are often offshore. Watch from the fort first, and keep valuables out of the car: theft is reported.

Getting there

Drive up to Sítio, the clifftop part of Nazaré, and follow signs to the lighthouse or Praia do Norte. Parking is above the beach; on big days it fills early.

History

Garrett McNamara surfed a wave recorded at about 24 m here in November 2011. In October 2020 Sebastian Steudtner set the world record for the biggest wave surfed, 26.2 m, and Maya Gabeira set the women's record of 22.4 m in February 2020.

Travel notes

How often it works
Very consistent: the canyon makes it bigger than anywhere nearby, and it is almost never flat.
Crowd and vibe
Few surfers in the water on normal days; on giant days, the line-up is pros only and thousands watch from the cliff.
Camping and vans
Orbitur Valado, near Nazaré, is about 3 km away. Portuguese road law bans motorhome overnight stays outside authorised places in protected areas, Natura 2000 sites and zones covered by the coastal plans, and limits other overnight stops to 48 hours per municipality. Nearest campsite about 3 km away.
Facilities
Lifeguards in the bathing season at the beach. Toilets, cafés and a museum in the fort; shops in Sítio.
Water quality
Rated excellent in APA's latest annual classification, with no Blue Flag.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–NW best, SW–NNW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 2.6 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 13 s
Wind
Offshore NE–SE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high
Faces
W (267°)

Live cams

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

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Portugal Centro · All spots

Sources