The Algarve is the perfect year round destination with excellent waves and fantastic weather.
The West Coast is by far the best destination as it picks up the predominant northwesterly swells.
It is a famous for perfect peaks on beautiful beaches and its amazing coastline.
The south coast tends to have nice waves during the bigger winter swells, but the further you get from the west coast the smaller they become and the more tourist orientated it gets.
It is these two very different coasts that make for such a special surfing location. With one coast facing predominately west and the other south if there is any swell around, there will always be waves somewhere.
Depending on the swell direction it only takes an ocean swell of 2 or 3 feet for the better breaks to start working.
Summer on the west coast will usually see clean waves from waist to chest high although it can be busy on the beaches.
Either side of summer the west coast produces consistent swell that can be nicely over head.
The winter months are fantastic with comfortable water temperatures and sunbathing as well.
The south coast starts to get better here as big northwest swells come in.
The west coast can have regular 15ft swells and Carrapateira has been known to hit 25ft!
But don't worry! This is one of the areas main advantages. The west coast is usually bigger than the south coast.
So, if the west coast is too big for you then a short 15-minute drive from Carrapateira (Praia do Bordeira) and Praia do Amado (host to ASP pro events) will find you on the south coast where the waves will usually be smaller. The further along the south coast, in general, the smaller the waves.
Remember sun cream – If the air temperature is only showing 15 degrees and the sun is out – you will get burned without it!
Trip: Portugal Xmas 09
By Arne, From 2009-12-29 to 2010-01-05
My first trip together with Andre to the Algarve. Lots of wind, rain and swell, but also some nice days with clean waves and some sunshine. Temperatures were mild, (about 18° inside and outside the water.
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Trip: Portugal Algarve Xmas 09/10
By lafitenia64, From 2009-12-29 to 2010-01-05
Trip: Lagos 08
By ceej91, From 2008-10-18 to 2008-10-25
Lagos, Portugal with Extreme Holidays....leant to surf! caught my first green wave and turned down it straight away! was awesome!
....oh and the people and nightlife werent too bad either :)
TEAM JEEP 08!
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Trip: Near home
By deep blue, From 2008-02-05 to 2008-02-28
Trip: Portugal
By Pisco23, From 2007-08-20 to 2007-09-03
Haven't been to portugal for over 5 years, now returning with kids - so it will be interesting to see how we can work around them and their totalitarian eating-sleeping regime. and my surfing. I guess I'll hi the water whenever I can, i More...
monte clerigo
On a bigger swell it's not suitable for inexperienced surfers as the rip can be pretty strong.
5-6ft and clean, pretty heavy beach break.
Saw one guy get dragged right over onto the far side but he got out before he hit rocks ;)
Another was pulled out to sea to the right again but god knows what he was up to!
The reefs to the left look lovely but looked a bit shallow when I was there.
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comment by wounded gull, 2008-02-01 12:39:03