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Surf spot guide · Madeira, Portugal
Two remote righthand boulder points on Madeira's northwest cliff coast, fast and punchy, best on a moderate N-NW swell with easterly winds.
Achadas da Cruz presents two righthand boulder points on Madeira's dramatic northwest coastline, accessed only via a cable car or a long, winding cliff trail. The southern point is the go-to wave, offering fast, slopey walls that peel along the boulder shelf and can run 100-200m when swell is moderate and the wind turns easterly. The northern point switches on during larger W or NW pulses and can produce excellent sections, but entry and exit over boulders in those conditions is extremely hazardous, and most surfers opt to stay out. Both points respond best to N through NW swell in the 0.9-3m range. At the top of that window the southern point closes out and only the north point holds shape, but committing to a boulder entry at size is a serious undertaking. Sharks are flagged as a genuine risk on this stretch of coast. The isolation keeps crowds minimal and the vibe is exploratory rather than competitive.
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Rarely surfed. This is a solo or micro-crew spot by nature given the difficult access and remote location. Expect no one else in the water on most days.
Remote cliff-base explorer spot
Madeira
Rarely surfed left reef at Madeira's northwest tip, fast and hollow over rock ledge, requiring a long paddle from Porto Moniz.
Madeira
Rarely surfed expert right at Madeira's westernmost tip, accessible only by boat or a near-vertical cliff descent.
Madeira
Powerful left point break over boulders on Madeira north-west coast, with freight-train barrels and critical airdrop takeoffs.
+9 MORE →Take the cable car down rather than the cliff trail if conditions look borderline
Save the north point for days when you can commit fully to a boulder entry at size
Stick to the south point on moderate NW swells of 1-2m for the most consistent and manageable sessions
Easterly winds are the key ingredient for clean faces
Bring a helmet if the swell is pushing 2m or above
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
A cable car descends the cliff to the shoreline and is the recommended route. A long, winding trail also reaches the base but is arduous. No formal car park, lifeguard, restrooms, showers, surf school or surf shop on site. Entry and exit over boulders requires care at all times.
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