Praia Azul.

Praia Azul sits on a long bay between Peniche and Ericeira, breaking over a rock ledge that produces fast, hollow peaks across its length. The beach offers both lefts and rights, but the defining feature is at the northern end of the bay: a slab reef that throws up a dry-sucking, bowly left on its day and a more regular right that fires with greater frequency. The wave is bowly over supershallow rock, so the left is strictly for surfers comfortable with ledge takeoffs. A consistent spot by local standards, it works best on mid-tide when the ledge has enough water to shape rather than close out. NW swell is the sweet spot, though the window opens through the SW-to-N arc. Easterly winds provide the offshore push this stretch needs. Water quality is compromised by agricultural run-off from the surrounding area, making post-rain sessions inadvisable. Roadside parking is free and access is straightforward. Crowds are genuinely rare here, a contrast to the busier beaches toward Santa Cruz a few kilometres north, but the technical nature of the slab keeps inexperienced surfers off the better sections naturally.