Surf in Nazaré today
Nazaré and the Silver Coast, Portugal · 6 spots ranked
Pedra do Ouro is the best choice in Nazaré today: waist high, 10-second swell, light offshore wind, rated fair.Nazaré is close behind.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 November
Nazaré is the best choice in Nazaré tomorrow: ankle to knee high, 11-second swell, light offshore wind, rated fair.Praia Velha is close behind.
Surfing in Nazaré
Nazaré is two different places. Praia do Norte, north of the headland, is where the underwater canyon turns big Atlantic swell into the largest ridden waves on earth - a spectacle, not a session, for almost everyone. The town beach south of the headland is an ordinary Portuguese beach break, and the coast north of it - Paredes, Pedra do Ouro, São Pedro de Moel - is a string of exposed beaches that take the same swell at a human scale.
The question most people actually have is whether Praia do Norte is doing its thing today, and if so, where the surfable version of that swell is. This page answers both from today's forecast, using the same model as the app.
Where should a beginner surf in Nazaré?
São Martinho do Porto - the enclosed bay just south - barely breaks, which is exactly why schools use it. Nazaré's town beach on a small summer day is the other option.
Praia do Norte is not a surf spot for anyone reading this. Even on a modest day the shorebreak and the current are dangerous, and on a big day it is a tow-in wave with a rescue team.
When is the best time to surf Nazaré?
October to February is when the canyon works: big north-west groundswell from Atlantic storms. Summer at Praia do Norte is small and often closed out; the town beach and São Martinho are the summer options. The coast north of Nazaré works on the same swells and is worth the drive when the north side is too big.
Common questions
Is Nazaré big today?
The forecast at the top of this page shows Praia do Norte's size today. Anything over about four metres with a long period is a big day; the record waves need much more.
Can a normal surfer surf Nazaré?
The town beach, yes, on a small day. Praia do Norte, no - not on any day. Its shorebreak and current are dangerous even when the swell is modest.
Where is the best place to watch the big waves?
The Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo on the headland, above Praia do Norte. Go early on a forecast big day; the road fills.
When is Nazaré's big-wave season?
October to February, on north-west groundswell from Atlantic winter storms. Days over ten metres are rare and forecast well in advance.
Where can a beginner surf near Nazaré?
São Martinho do Porto, the sheltered bay ten minutes south, or Nazaré's own town beach on a small day.