What is the best time of year to surf in Portugal?

"When is the best time to surf in Portugal?" is one of the questions we are asked most, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you are looking for. Portugal has waves all year. What changes from season to season is the size of the sea, the water temperature, the wind and the number of people in the water. In this article we explain what each season is like on the coast of Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra, so you can choose the right time to start, to progress or to come on holiday.

Why Portugal has waves all year

The Portuguese west coast faces the North Atlantic, where the storms that generate swell are formed. That swell travels hundreds of kilometres and reaches our coast already organised, in clean "lines". Add a short continental shelf, which makes the waves break with energy close to the beach, and an indented coast, with beaches facing west, north and south. The result: there is almost always a beach that is working. That is why the Lisbon region is one of the best in the world for learning and for training.

Autumn (September to November): the perfect season

If we had to choose only one season, it would be autumn. The first Atlantic storms start sending consistent swell, but still without the force of winter. The water is at its warmest of the year, between 18 and 20°C, because it warmed all through the summer. The north wind of the warm months disappears and the days turn clear, with mornings of offshore wind that leave the waves perfect.

For anyone learning, September and October are ideal: medium waves, pleasant water, emptier beaches after the holidays. For anyone who already surfs, it is the time to catch the best sessions of the year. It is no accident that the big competitions in Portugal take place in autumn.

Winter (December to February): big seas, empty beaches

In winter the Atlantic shows its strength. Swells are bigger and more frequent, and there are days when the most exposed beaches, such as Guincho, become unsurfable. It is the time when the sheltered beaches come to life: São Pedro do Estoril, Poça and other bays on the Linha do Estoril, which go for months without waves, work when the sea is big.

Contrary to what many people think, winter is an excellent time to learn. We choose the sheltered beaches, the groups are smaller and the students have the sea almost to themselves. The water is around 14 to 15°C, which, with a 4/3 mm wetsuit and, on the coldest days, boots, is perfectly comfortable. Between one storm and the next there are weeks of clear weather and quality waves. Also read our article on wetsuit thickness for each season.

Spring (March to May): the transition

Spring is the most irregular season. There are weeks of winter and weeks of summer. Swells gradually lose size, the water starts to warm slowly and the north wind appears on the first warm days. Even so, March and April usually have many good days and the beaches are still quiet. It is a good time to do a pack of lessons and reach summer already catching waves on your own.

At Easter we run our surf clinics for children and young people, using the school break and the mild conditions.

Summer (June to August): small waves, golden mornings

Summer is the season with the least swell. The waves are small, which is an advantage for anyone starting out: there is nothing like half a metre of whitewater for learning to stand up. The great enemy of summer is the nortada, the north wind that gets up almost every afternoon and spoils the surface of the water. The answer is to surf in the morning: between seven and eleven the sea is smooth and the beach is empty. In the afternoon, the beach, shade and rest.

Another important note: Guincho, in summer, is often affected by coastal upwelling, a phenomenon that brings cold water up from the depths. There are days in August when the water at Guincho is 15°C while Carcavelos is at 19°C. One more reason to leave the choice of beach to someone who knows the coast.

Summary: the best time of year for each goal

• First lesson: any time of year, with a preference for September and October (warm water, a medium sea) and for summer mornings (small waves).
• Progress quickly: autumn and winter, when there are waves every day and fewer people in the water.
• Family surf holidays: June to September, always with lessons in the morning.
• Training and competition: October to March, when the sea has size and the video analysis sessions are more worthwhile.

Water temperature through the year

Average values on the Lisbon coast, to guide your choice of wetsuit:

• January to March: 14 to 15°C.
• April to June: 15 to 17°C.
• July to September: 18 to 20°C.
• October to December: 17 to 15°C.

Frequently asked questions

Can you surf in Portugal in winter?

Yes, and very well. With a 4/3 mm wetsuit and the right choice of beach, winter is one of the best times to learn and to progress, with empty beaches and consistent waves.

What is the worst month for surfing?

There is no bad month; there are bad days. August usually has the smallest waves and more wind in the afternoon, but the mornings still work for learning.

What if it rains?

Rain does not stop a lesson; wind and thunderstorms do. If conditions are not safe, we reschedule at no cost. You can see our conditions in the terms and conditions.

Whatever the season, the sea is waiting for you. Book your lesson and we will take care of the rest.