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Surf spot guide · Madeira, Portugal
Madeira's most-surfed break, a hollow rock-ledge a-frame known as Chickens delivering bowly peaks and long performance walls on N swells.
Faja da Areia, known locally as Chickens, sits on Madeira's north coast near Sao Vicente and draws more surfers than any other break on the island. The wave breaks over a submerged rock ledge, producing a hollow bowl at the peak that feeds into performance walls running left and right. The bowl section delivers short barrel opportunities before opening into a 50-100m wall suited to turns and off-the-lip work. North swells from NW through NE get the wave moving, with the optimal window on a clean N groundswell. Southerly winds are the standard offshore. Mid to high tide keeps the ledge covered and the wave at its most consistent - the break reads larger in the water than it appears from shore. Entry and exit require stepping over the rock ledge. Roadside parking is available with no other facilities on site. Crowds build fast on good swell, driven by reliable quality and comparatively manageable danger by Madeiran standards, making it the default session for both locals and visitors.
Often crowded, particularly on good N swells. The combination of accessible danger level and reliable quality by Madeiran standards makes this the default destination for locals and visiting surfers.
Accessible Madeiran powerhouse
Madeira
Boulder reef left on Madeira's north coast, best on a solid NW swell, with 50-100m walls for intermediates.
Madeira
A largely ruined boulder-bottom left on Madeira north coast, still capable of fast, freight-train sections on rare W swells.
Madeira
Expert-level left barrel on Madeira's north coast, breaking almost at sea level over a shallow uneven reef.
+9 MORE →The wave consistently looks smaller from the road than it actually is - always check from the water before committing to your session plan
Wear booties to protect against the rock ledge entry and sea urchins
Hit it early morning before the crowd builds on solid N swells
Mid to high tide gives the cleanest wave shape over the ledge
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Roadside parking available. No formal car park, no facilities on site. Entry and exit via the rock ledge - booties recommended.
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