The Best Time to Surf in Portugal

A Guide for every month and every level

Portugal is one of those surf destinations where you can find waves all year round. With more than 850 kilometres of coastline, different coastlines facing different directions and plenty of beaches within driving distance of each other, there is no single "best" month to surf Portugal. And that’s probably also one of the reasons why Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular surf destinations.

For surfers heading to the Algarve and staying in one of our accommodations, the west coast around Sagres, Carrapateira and Aljezur is particularly interesting because it combines consistent Atlantic swell with beaches that work in a range of conditions.

If you are planning a surf trip to Portugal, you might be wondering: When is the best time to surf in Portugal? Is Portugal surf crowded? What level of surf is Portugal good for? What time of the year are the biggest waves in Portugal? And which part of Portugal is best for surfing? Let's get you those questions answered!

And if you have even more questions, simply contact us or check out our FAQ.

When is the best time to surf in Portugal?

To put it simply: it depends on what you're looking for and your surf experience.

Are you planning your first surf trip, want to learn how to surf and hoping for smaller, more manageable waves? Or are you an experienced surfer looking for big swells and barrels?

If you want to learn how to surf in Portugal, we recommend planning your surf trip from late spring through summer and early autumn. During that time of the year, the waves are usually smaller and more manageable, and the weather is warmer, making it particularly popular with beginners and families.

In autumn and winter, Atlantic storms bring larger swells, creating more consistent and powerful waves that are perfect for intermediate or advanced surfers.

January - February: Winter swells

Winter is when the Atlantic really starts to show its strength. The Portuguese coast receives powerful swells during the colder months, creating exciting conditions for experienced surfers. On the Algarve's west coast, exposed beaches can become challenging, while more sheltered spots can offer better options when the swell gets bigger.

January and February are not really the easiest time for first-timers and beginners, as conditions can change quickly. However, if you are a beginner surfer and still decide to visit Portugal in winter, our surf school makes sure to choose a beach that suits your level, looking at the swell, wind and tide.

Best for: Intermediate and advanced surfers.

March - April: Spring has sprung

Spring is a great time to visit Portugal if you want a mixture of surfing and exploring. The biggest winter swells begin to become less dominant, while the weather gradually becomes warmer. However, the conditions can still vary from week to week, so plan a bit of flexibility.

Intermediate surfers can find a nice balance between having enough swell to make things interesting without the intensity that some winter days can bring, while beginner surfers can benefit from smaller days, depending on the individual beach and the forecast.

Best for: Intermediate surfers, road trips and travellers who want fewer crowds.

May: A great all-rounder

Many people don't consider May as a good time to go surfing in Portugal, even though the weather is getting warmer, the crowds haven’t arrived yet, and there's still plenty of swell.

If you want to combine surfing with exploring Portugal, hiking, eating out and spending time at the beach, May is practically an insider tip. For beginners, this can also be a good time to start surfing, particularly when working with an experienced instructor who can choose the right conditions.

Best for: Beginners, intermediate surfers and tourists looking for a quieter holiday.

June - August: Summer surfing

Summer is Portugal's busiest surf season, especially for beginner surfers. The weather is warm, the waves are smaller, and the conditions are perfect for learning how to surf.

Summer is also the time of the year when the Algarve is the busiest. Many families use the school holidays to travel, especially in July and August. Beaches can become crowded, so an early morning surf session is often a much nicer experience. If you're travelling with children, summer is also a popular time for family surf lessons, although conditions should always determine where and when you surf.

Best for: Beginners, families, first surf trips and warm-weather holidays.

September: One of the best months to surf in Portugal

To answer the question “When is the best time to surf in Portugal?” with a clear answer: September it is. The summer crowds are getting smaller, the weather is still sunny and the swell is slowly coming back and becoming more consistent again.

Beginner surfers will still find many surf spots around the Algarve with great conditions and the increasing swell will provide more options for intermediate surfers, too. September is also a great month for travelling through Portugal.

Best for: Almost everyone.

October: The bigger swells are returning

When autumn arrives, the Atlantic begins producing more frequent and powerful swells again. This makes October particularly attractive to intermediate and advanced surfers.

Even though the selection of beaches is getting smaller, beginners can absolutely still surf in October. Don't worry, at TSE, we work with experienced and qualified surf instructors who know the Algarve inside and out and know exactly where to surf in order to provide you with a safe surfing experience.

Best for: Intermediate surfers, experienced surfers and adventurous beginners with instruction.

November – December: For the swell hunters

So, what time of the year are the biggest waves in Portugal?

The biggest and most powerful swells arrive during late autumn and winter, when Portugal's Atlantic coastline can see some serious surf. This is also the season when Nazaré becomes famous for its giant waves and the big wave surf competitions. Obviously, those conditions are very different from the surf most tourists are looking for.

Along the west coast of the Algarve, the winter swell creates powerful surf, exciting for experienced surfers. However, for beginner surfers this time of the year is not really to be recommended, as the size and power of the ocean simply make the conditions less suitable on many days.

Best for: Experienced surfers and travellers who prefer the quieter side of Portugal.

What is the best month to plan a surf trip to Portugal?

There isn't one answer.

For beginner surfers: May to September is a great time.

For intermediate surfers: September, October and spring can offer a good balance of swell, manageable conditions and challenging waves.

For advanced surfers: Autumn and winter bring the big Atlantic swells.

For a surf holiday with warm weather: June to September is hard to beat.

For fewer crowds: May, June, September or October.

At TSE, surf sessions are planned around the conditions and the level of the group, rather than simply taking everyone to the same beach every day.

So whether you're planning your first time standing on a surfboard or you're coming back to Portugal looking for your next good wave, there is rarely a bad time to visit. You just need to choose the right place, the right conditions and, ideally, a little flexibility.