Porto Surf Spots

A surf trip to Portugal does not usually involve exploring Porto surf spots in the North of the country. More often than not, it sets its sights firmly on the famous beaches from Lisbon to Peniche, and why not, the likes of Supertubos & Ribeira D'Ilhas offer some of the best waves in the world.

However, along with this notoriety comes the inevitable drawbacks, most notably crowded peaks and busy beaches. But Portugal is a big country, and it’s naive to focus your attention on one small section of coastline, spread the search a little wider and you’ll find high-quality waves and empty lineups.

One notable destination where the crowds thin to an enviable proposition is Porto. Not instantly recognisable as a world-class surf destination, the waves both north and south of this baroque infused Portuguese city deliver hollow slabs, thundering reefs, and user-friendly beach breaks.

Porto Surf Spots - When to go surf them: 

Best time of year for beginners to surf in Porto: May to September

Best time of year for intermediates to surf in Porto: March to October

Best time of year for advanced surfers in Porto: September to March

1. Luz

Luz is the most accessible wave for surfers staying in the heart of Porto. Walkable from the city centre, the beach is a tourist hotspot and has ample facilities. Needs a large swell to properly come to life and gets rippy when big.

Wave type: Right-hand break

Bottom: Sand/rock

Tide: High tide only

Swell: SW-N

Wind: SE

Length of wave: 100m

Wave height: 2-8 feet

Surfer ability: Intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Luz:

2. Matosinhos

This is the place to head for if you’re arriving in Porto to learn to catch waves. A long stretch of sandy beach delivers perfect peaks for those new to the sport. For surfers with a little more experience, a sheltered reef break offers the chance to challenge your skills. With spots up and down the beach that break on all tides, Matosinhos is the ideal destination for a rewarding day of surfing. 

Wave type: Left and right beach break, right-hand reef

Bottom: Sand

Tide: All tides

Swell: SW-NW

Wind: E

Length of wave: 125m

Wave height: 2-8 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Matosinhos:

3. International Beach

International Beach is a mellow surf spot with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. A clash of surf and city cultures, in the very best of ways, this is a cool place just to come and hang-out, whether you’re in or out of the water. A consistent surf spot in Porto that’s great for learning, International Beach could be the place for you to catch your very first wave.

Wave type: Right and left-hand beach break

Bottom: Sand

Tide: All tides

Swell: SW-N

Wind: SE

Length of wave: 100m

Wave height: 2-6 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner and intermediate

Most popular choice for surfing next to International Beach:

4. Leca

Sitting further north than International Beach and Matosinhos, Leca is the most consistent surf spot in the Porto city area. A real swell magnet of a break, if there are no waves here, give up looking and head into the city for the day.

The harbour provides shelter when it’s windy, and as well as providing protection, the wall also helps to shape the sandbars to produce peaky, dredgy sections.

Wave type: Right and left-hand beach break

Bottom: Sand

Tide: All tides

Swell: SW-N

Wind: SE

Length of wave: 150m

Wave height: 2-8 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Leca Beach:

5. Miramar

A long stretch of beach that offers something for surfers of all abilities, Miramar picks up plenty of swell as it comes aground into this corner of Portugal.

Because it is open it can get blown out but it can also get some nice clean days making it a Porto Surf Spot worth checking out. For beginners and intermediates, the beach breaks are the perfect place to practise getting to your feet or developing your turns. For surfers with more experience, a slabby reef break that produces challenging right-hand barrels comes alive in medium to large westerly swells.

Wave type: Beach break and right-hand reef

Bottom: Sand & reef

Tide: Best on mid-tides, don’t surf the reef too low, it’s shallow

Swell: SW-NW

Wind: E

Length of wave: 125m

Wave height: 2-12 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Miramar Beach:

6. Espinho

The most photographed stretch of water in the north of Portugal, this vibrant village delivers a dose of Portuguese culture with a laid back surfing experience.

The best wave in the area breaks from the jetty and charges quickly to shore as a fast hollow right-hander. A small take-off zone means it can be tricky to get waves, but don't let this put you off, there are lots of options to the north and south making an essential Porto surf spot to experience in a thriving surf community.

Advanced surfers only on the stretches of reef, however the beach breaks are user-friendly and accessible to all standards of surfer. 

Wave type: Right and left-hand breaks

Bottom: Sand and reef

Tide: All tides

Swell: SW-N

Wind: SE

Length of wave: 200m

Wave height: 2-8 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Espinho Beach:

7. Esmoriz

Esmoriz is a tiny city located just 25 kilometres south of Porto. Its beautiful beaches house a collection of quality waves just waiting to be explored. Esmoriz’s position south of Porto means it’s likely to be even quieter than the coastline further north, making the chance of scoring empty, hollow waves a very real possibility.

There are almost too many surf spots to name in this small Portuguese dwelling, but three particular standouts are Silvade, Blue Beach, and Baia, all of which provide a consistent supply of swell for surfers of every ability. 

Wave type: Right and left-hand breaks

Bottom: Sand and reef

Tide: All tides

Swell: SW-N

Wind: SE

Length of wave: 150m

Wave height: 2-8 feet

Surfer ability: Beginner, intermediate and advanced

Most popular choice for surfing next to Esmoriz Beach:

Porto Surf Spots - Need to know info:

Weather: Hot summers and mild winters make Portugal, and in particular Porto,  a year-round wave riding destination 

Water temp: A summer suit (3/2mm) will be more than adequate up until October, in the cooler months slightly thicker rubber (4/3mm) will be necessary

Getting to Porto: Porto is a 2 hour 20-minute flight from London, most UK airports offer cheap year-round deals to this part of Portugal