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Surf spot guide · Algarve, Portugal
A sheltered sandy bay with occasional fast surf, better in winter systems than as a dependable everyday break.
Martinhal is a sheltered, shallow sandy beach primarily known for windsurfing and freeride conditions, with surf appearing occasionally. When it breaks, the beach offers lefts and rights that can be fast, powerful and sometimes hollow, though rides are usually under 50 metres. Surf is most credible during winter weather systems, when south or southwest winds can create a chaotic beach break and stronger currents. Northerly winds are offshore but can be gusty near shore, while the bay is often nearly flat under those conditions. The gradually deepening sand bottom is bordered offshore by Martinhal islets and rocks.
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The surf lineup is generally lightly populated on weekdays and weekends, although the beach itself is well used during high summer.
Sheltered and lightly surfed
Algarve
Hollow, bowly a-frame beach break at Sagres that fires on rare W-NW swells or a solid S, gets very crowded.
Algarve
Sagres' most consistent beach break - a sandy a-frame that works across all tides and suits beginners to intermediates.
Algarve
Hollow, fast left wedge near Sagres firing on SW or NW swells, with a fierce local crew and punishing steps.
+9 MORE →Look for surf after winter south or southwest weather systems.
Expect very small or flat conditions under northerly winds.
Keep the offshore islets and rocks in mind when choosing where to surf.
Use the maintained path and boardwalks from the beach access area.
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Reach the beach via paved EN268, a maintained path and boardwalks; the unpaved car park has approximately 78 spaces.
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