Porto da Cruz – Maiata

Machico · Madeira · Portugal

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Porto da Cruz is a village on Madeira's north-east coast and, with Machico, one of the island's two main surf hubs. At Maiata beach, of black sand and volcanic rock, punchy rights and lefts break over a rocky reef near the promenade. It is more exposed than Machico, so it is bigger and stronger in winter. On small days it is fine for improving surfers.

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

When it works

✓ A north to north-west swell of 0.8–1.5 m at low to mid tide on the rise, with a south-west wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Above about 1.5 m the current gets too strong and the beach closes out.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • rips
  • pollution

Best months

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

Local tips

Several surf camps are based here and rent boards. Check the water rating after rain: Maiata's recent results have been weak.

Getting there

In the village, with parking a few metres from the beach.

Travel notes

How often it works
Fairly consistent in winter with north swells; small in summer.
Crowd and vibe
Usually 10–20 surfers, busier at weekends and on holidays.
Camping and vans
There is no campsite on this side of the island. The nearest licensed forest camping area is at Ponta de São Lourenço near Caniçal (permit needed); the only campsite is in Porto Moniz.
Facilities
Cafés, a promenade and surf camps in the village.
Water quality
Maiata was rated sufficient in the latest EU bathing-water assessment, poor the season before and excellent before that (EEA data from APA and the regional government), so avoid surfing after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
NNW–NNE best, WNW–ENE works
Size
0.9–1.5 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 2.2 m
Period
9 s minimum, best from 12 s
Wind
Offshore S–WSW; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
low, mid best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
NNE (25°)

Live cam

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

In the guides

Nearby spots

All spots in Madeira · All spots

Sources