  
SURFING IN PORTUGAL'S LISBON & 'VALE DO TEJO' REGION
 ribeira d'ilhas SURF CAMP - SURF SPOTS
It's repeated so often that it's almost become a cliché but Ericeira really is is the Mecca of Portuguese surfing. This has to be one of the best surf zones in Europe, this stretch of coast could have been designed by a surfer, no more than a few kilometers long, it's crammed with world class reef and point breaks.
The quiet little town of Ericeira is littered with surfers from all over the world and yet the towns inhabitants and local fihermen go about their daily business seemingly oblivious to the epic surf breaking all around them.
FURNAS
A beachbreak that is protected from the northwest swells by some cliffs. It really only works with big N-NW swells, not a great wave in itself but it is an option when everywhere else is maxed out. (see pic right hand column >)
PRAIA DO PEIXE
Again a sheltered spot that breaks alongside the harbour. It can get good but generally it's a bit of a close out with shifty peaks. Offshore winds are from the east.
PRAIA DO NORTE
Consistant wave with good sections, this spot is a swell magnet and picks up swells from just about any direction. When it's on this spot offers excellent long righthanders and can hold good sized waves. When small it's a good newbie and beginner spot. One of the more reliable waves in Ericeira
PEDRA BRANCA
This is an outstanding world class barrel that starts in deep water and then jacks up and slams down into a sharp and shallow reef. Short, powerful and super hollow lefthander that can hold big swells. Optimal swell direction is from the West or Southwest but works in a Northwesterly as well. Offshore wind is from the east. This beast is suicide at low tide and is certainly for experienced surfers only!
REEF
The aptly named 'Reef' is possibly even more radical than Pedra Branca! Short and very heavy, this righthander redefines the word hollow and is a dangerous wave. Again the waves start in deep water and when they hit the reef the peaks have incredible speed and power. Works with a Northwesterly swell. Experienced surfers only. People who surf here often have the scars to prove it.
RIBEIRA D'ILHAS & PONTINHA
A versatile bay with various peaks that work on most swells, the optimal direction being W-NW. When it's good this is one of the longest waves in the Ericeira area with rides of up to several hundred meters. It is also one of the most consistant spots in summer. Popular with longboarders this spot breaks throughout the tide and handles most wind directions, however mid tide is probably the best state to catch it at.
Pontinha is the northern, outside section of Ribera D'ilhas and is usually surfed on a North or Northwesterly swell. The wave can be good but is a closeout when the swell shifts too far to the west. Urchin covered reef, so wear reef boots unless you wanna be digging urchin spines out of your feet for the rest of your trip.
CRAZY LEFT
Doesn't break too often, but when it does it's a perfect hollow left. Powerful and super fast barrels breaking over a shallow reef. Dominated by really hot bodyboarders. Best with a south or southwest swell and easterly winds. Best surfed at high tide and for experienced surfers only.
COXOS
This wave has become on of Portugal's most famous surf spots and rightly so. This has to be one of the best waves in Europe. A world class righthand pointbreak where swells come in from deep water into a small bay with a sharp shallow reef. The result is perfection; the waves hit the reef and then run down the point as fast and powerful tubes. Home of the 6 second tube ride, Coxos can handle big swells and when it's big you can expect strong rips, heavy hold-downs and serious gut-wrenching take-offs. Best with a northwesterly swell, southeasterly winds and a mid-low tide.
SÃO LOURENÇO
Break out the big wave guns! This is one of Portugal's premier big wave spots and is a shifting righthand point break that can hold giant surf. Needless to say it is very powerful wave and, as with most big wave spots, expect long hold downs. You know the surf movie cliché when someone in the lineup yells: 'Outside!'? Well here it actually happens, as big sneak sets from the west come in and totally clean up the usual take off zone. Works best on a North-westerly swell and an easterly wind. You can't beat this spot for 'Fun with guns in the sun ;-)' and the nature of the beast ensures that crowds are never an issue. Do we need to say this is not for beginners?
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ribeira d'ilhas