Surf spot guide · Terceira, Portugal
Exposed reef right off a cliffy headland on Terceira's west coast, needing precise NW swell and SE wind to fire.
High Waves
Large waves up to 2.6m expected at Ponta do Queimado. Peak conditions around 9:00 PM.
Exercise extreme caution when entering the water. Strong currents and large waves present. Warning valid until 9:00 PM.
Ponta do Queimado is a reef break sitting at the base of exposed cliffs on the northwest tip of Terceira, the most isolated and fickle wave on the island. The main wave is a right-hander that wells up off the uneven submerged reef and throws steep, fast walls when the conditions align. A less reliable left runs off the south end of the point. The break demands a clean NW swell to wrap around the headland and a southeasterly offshore to hold the face, and even then the window can be fleeting. Wave faces are steep at takeoff with a quick, surging feel driven by the welling-up reef structure, running through sections of 50 to 100 metres before closing out over shallow rock. At 1.2 to 3 metres the break comes to life, but anything overhead pushes it toward expert territory given the isolation and heavy water movement. Rip currents run hard off the point in both directions and there is no defined channel, making paddle-outs taxing and exits awkward. Crowds are almost nonexistent given the drive and the demanding nature of the spot.
You’re seeing the next 3 days. A free account opens all 14, which is the difference between checking tomorrow and planning a trip.
Almost always empty. The remote location, technical entry, and fickle conditions keep all but the most dedicated local surfers away.
Isolated, sketchy Atlantic reef for experienced surfers only
Terceira
High-performance boulder-bottom right on Terceira's south coast, best on W swell, with steep faces and sections depending on tide.
Terceira
Fast, powerful left off deepwater cliffs on Terceira's north coast, demanding overhead swell and experts only.
Terceira
Boat-access bombora on Terceira's north coast: a banana-shaped offshore reef delivering massive, hollow rights on W-NW swells.
+9 MORE →Only paddle out when conditions are exactly right - NW swell with SE offshore and mid-to-high tide to cover the worst of the reef
Scout from the clifftop before committing as rips can make it difficult to exit
Go with a partner given the isolation and lack of channel
The right at the north end is significantly more consistent and less dangerous than the south-end left
Check Contendas and Porto Martins first - Queimado is a last resort for most local surfers
HAZARDS · KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
Free car park and roadside parking above the cliffs. Rough foot path down to the water over rocky ground. No facilities of any kind. Isolated stretch of coast with no lifeguard coverage.
Open in Maps