🇵🇹 CENTRO, PORTUGAL

Nazaré

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

SMALL

Live Conditions

Conditions Summary

4ft waves — but short 9s period indicates wind swell, expect choppy conditions — hitting at the ideal angle — 6mph 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 333° — matches the ideal 315° window for this spot

Swell Period

9s — short-period swell. Waves will have less power than a true groundswell.

Wind

6mph onshore — light but will soften wave shape

Season

July is off-season — rare for this spot to get quality waves

Data Confidence

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

At the Break

3.7ft

LOW CONFIDENCE

Model-only forecast, no buoy nearby

Period

Mid-period

Wind

6mph

ONSHORE

Water

68°F

Spring suit

Swell Direction

85%

Wind Direction

Primary Swell

4.0ft @ 9.3s

NNW 333°

Secondary Swell

0.3ft @ 12.3s

W 281°

9 Day Outlook

4.4ft

TODAY

Jul 28

(9s)

3.3ft

TMRW

Jul 29

(8s)

2.4ft

THU

Jul 30

(7s)

3.2ft

FRI

Jul 31

(6s)

3.5ft

SAT

Aug 1

(7s)

3.3ft

SUN

Aug 2

(7s)

3.0ft

MON

Aug 3

(6s)

3.1ft

TUE

Aug 4

(5s)

4.5ft

WED

Aug 5

(6s)

Best this week: today — 4.4ft

Best next week: WED Aug 5 — 4.5ft

Model Breakdown

ECMWF (45%)3.5ft

ICON (35%)4.0ft

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: Jul

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.