🇵🇹 CENTRO, PORTUGAL

Nazaré

The biggest waves ever surfed — tow-in big wave paradise

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

Small 2.8ft surf — but short 6s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 2mph onshore wind roughing up the surface — Note: this is outside the peak season for this spot

LOW CONFIDENCEModel-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Why it's SMALL

Swell Direction

Primary swell is 329° — matches the ideal 315° window for this spot

Swell Period

6s — this is wind chop, not groundswell. Waves will be weak and disorganized.

Wind

2mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape

Season

September is shoulder season — spot can still work but swells are less consistent

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

2.8ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

✗ Wind swell

Wind

2mph

ONSHORE

Water

63°F

3/2 wetsuit

Swell Direction

100%

Wind Direction

20%

Primary Swell

2.8ft @ 5.8s

NNW 329°

Secondary Swell

1.3ft @ 7.3s

NNW 341°

9 Day Outlook

3.7ft

TODAY

Sep 11

(9s)

4.3ft

TMRW

Sep 12

(10s)

4.3ft

SUN

Sep 13

(10s)

4.1ft

MON

Sep 14

(9s)

7.4ft

TUE

Sep 15

(8s)

7.7ft

WED

Sep 16

(9s)

7.2ft

THU

Sep 17

(10s)

8.5ft

FRI

Sep 18

(11s)

7.2ft

SAT

Sep 19

(10s)

Best this week: WED Sep 16 — 7.7ft

Best next week: FRI Sep 18 — 8.5ft

Incoming Swell Events

Day 5

solid

Swell building to 7.4ft @ 8s

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)2.6ft

ICON (35%)3.2ft

GFS (20%)No data

Model confidence65%

Updated every 30 mins · Open-Meteo ECMWF + ICON + GFS

About

Nazaré is where the biggest waves ever surfed have been recorded — thanks to a unique underwater canyon that amplifies Atlantic swells into 80ft+ monsters. A spectator destination as much as a surf destination.

The Break

Praia do Norte for the giant tow-in waves — watch from the fort. Praia de Nazaré for more manageable beach break.

Ideal Conditions

NW groundswell 20ft+, strong N winds, specific canyon alignment

Best Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best months highlighted · Current: Sep

Trip Planner

Nazaré Weekend

Weekend · 3 Days

Friday

Fly into Lisbon (LIS). 1.5hr drive to Nazaré. Stay in the old town.

Saturday

Watch from the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo if it is big. Surf the beach break if it is manageable. Fresh seafood dinner.

Sunday

Morning at the fort, drive back to Lisbon, fly home.

Portuguese Atlantic Week

Full Week · 7 Days

Day 1

Arrive Lisbon, drive to Nazaré.

Day 2

Big wave watch or beach break surf.

Day 3

Drive to Peniche — Supertubos world class beach break.

Day 4

Ericeira — UNESCO world surfing reserve.

Day 5

Back to Nazaré if another swell is forecast.

Day 6

Explore Lisbon — one of Europe's best cities.

Day 7

Fly home.

Local Knowledge

The big wave season is October to February — check the forecast obsessively.

The fort viewpoint is free and gives you the best view of the giant waves.

Nazaré town is charming — dried fish hanging from windows, traditional fishing culture.

Combine with Peniche and Ericeira for a full Portuguese surf road trip.