SURFING :   Ericeira is the Mecca of Portuguese surfing. In the earling days it was a small fishing village. Rooms and food were dirt cheap and surrounding towns beautiful with white washed houses and a country vibe to everything. Beaches were unspoiled, car parks non-existing and crowds never a problem. Although it has changed since, it's character remains essentially the same. The spots cover about 20 Km by road and 11 Km by water: They include some of the best reefs, points and beach breaks in Europe. As well as a keen surfer, I'm a avid diver and have researched the bottom conditions pretty thoroughly. Offshore winds for all spots come from the East. Sao Lourenço The portuguese version of Sunset can hold giant surf if the swell direction is correct. Keep an eye out for sneeker sets from West, when it is big. Expect elevator drops and fast hollow sections. North and NW swell is the best and it will hold, a little South wind. Crowd Not Crowded Swell North/North-East Tides Mid Tide to High Tide Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Sand covered Crazy Left A tubey wave on the South side of Coxos Bay. On the S/SW days, hollow, fast and powerful waves breaking over a rocky bottom. The high tide is better Crowd Not Crowded Swell West Tides High Tide Type of Wave Left Type of Bottom Flat Rock Pontinha You can either paddle or walk north from Ribeira d'Ilhas to this break. On North-NW swells the wave can be perfect, but closes out when swell becomes too westerly or too big. Crowd Not Crowded Swell North-West Tides Mid tide to High Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Uneven Reef with Urchins Ribeira d'lhas Versatile bay with various peaks that work on most swells, but are best on West/NW. When good, this boasts one of the longest waves in the area. It is one of the most consistent spots in Summer, holding 1 to 4 meters (2/12 feet). Crowd Crowded Swell North-West Tides All, but is better on Mid-Tide Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Rock Reef It's very hollow and very shallow. Doesn't work everyday. Usually not surfable past two meters. Definitely not for begginers. When it's on, it's pure magic, but no one surfs it a lot, without paying the fiddler. Crowd Crowded Swell West Tides Mid tide Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Uneven Reef Backdoor Normally a Summer Break, that works best on North/NW swells. It holds some vary hollow sections and is sketchy on low tide. Crowd Crowded Swell West Tides Mid Tide Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Uneven Reef Pedra Branca An extremely hollow left reef break, located in front of the camping and caravan park north of Ericeira, which works best on South/SW swells, holding large surf if the swell directions is perfect. The bottom is a rock platform with big holes. The swell comes out of deep water, so peaks with speed and power. It's got a pipelinish look on good days. Work from 1 to 3 meters (3/10 feet). Suicide at low tide ! Crowd Crowded Swell South/South Tides Mid Tide to high Type of Wave Left Type of Bottom Flat rock beds Praia do Norte This will work with all swells directions from 1 to 4 m (3/12 feet), but is best known for the long right from the North. The point is very dry on low tide. Crowd Crowded Swell North Tides Mid Tide Type of Wave Right Type of Bottom Rock sanded Praia do Peixe In a solid swell waves break inside the harbor. Crowd Crowded Swell South-West Tides Low tide Type of Wave Lefts and rights Type of Bottom Sand Furnas This only works with a Big North/NW swell. It is your last chance when everything else in Ericeira is huge and you don't feel like driving. Crowd Crowded Swell North/North-West Tide Tides All Type of Wave Lefts and Rights Type of Bottom Rock Foz do Lizandro When the fickle sand bars settle correctly, this can be a classic river mouth wave from 1 to 3 meters (3/10 feet). It is best on a South/W swell, with a strong backwash at high tide. When it goes off, it can hold size and deal out some power. Crowd Crowded Swell South/South-West Tides Mid tide to high Type of Wave Lefts and rights Type of Bottom Sand Sao Julião This works on most swells directions and tides, depending on the sand flow. This is a small 2-6 ft spot that maxes-out easily. Crowd Not Crowded Swell West Tide Tides High Type of Wave Lefts and Rights Type of Bottom Sand