Portugal

Why Portugal

Portugal is the most beginner-welcoming, intermediate-progressing, advanced-capable coast in Europe. Within 30 km of Ericeira you can paddle out into knee-high whitewater at Foz do Lizandro, then drive to Coxos for an overhead point that demands a Level 5 minimum.

When to go

• **Sept–Nov:** Goldilocks. Warm water, consistent swell, smaller crowds than summer.Sept–Nov: Goldilocks. Warm water, consistent swell, smaller crowds than summer.
• **Apr–May:** Spring storms thin out; quality intermediate sessions.Apr–May: Spring storms thin out; quality intermediate sessions.
• **Jun–Aug:** Smaller, beginner-friendly. Crowded.Jun–Aug: Smaller, beginner-friendly. Crowded.
• **Dec–Mar:** Big winter Atlantic. Advanced only at most breaks.Dec–Mar: Big winter Atlantic. Advanced only at most breaks.

The Algarve

Three hours south, the southern tip of Portugal is a two-coast region: when the exposed west coast at Sagres and Aljezur is blown out, the sheltered south-facing beaches around Lagos stay clean. That daily west-or-south choice makes the Algarve a strong mixed-ability base in its own right.

Getting around

Fly into Lisbon for Ericeira, or Faro for the Algarve. Rent a car — almost every camp runs daily shuttles, but a car opens up Peniche (Supertubos) and the spread of Algarve breaks.