November Is the Best Month to Surf Here (And We’ll Argue With Anyone Who Says Otherwise)

Ask any surfer on this coast which month they’d pick if they could only have one, and most of them will say November. We certainly would.

Summer gets all the attention, but summer waves here are often small and the line-ups are busy. By November the North Atlantic has woken up. The swells are more consistent, the mornings are often glassy, the water still holds some of the summer’s warmth, and the crowds have gone home. You’ll paddle out with a handful of locals, not half of Lisbon.

Here are our five favourite spots, all within easy reach of the Quinta, and how we’d choose between them.

Furnas: for easy, happy surfing

Long, mellow lefts that just keep going. Furnas is the spot for a relaxed session where you catch more waves than you can count and come out grinning. The best bit might be afterwards: grab a post-surf drink at Yabalu and watch the river meet the sea.

Best for: beginners to intermediates, longboarders, anyone who wants a fun, easy morning.

Pico Loco: for when you want a challenge

This is a reef break for advanced surfers only. When it’s on, it serves up big, clean, powerful waves that are worth the drive and the nerves. Know your limits and respect the reef.

Best for: experienced surfers chasing size and quality.

Aivados: our hidden gem

The least known spot on our list, and the hardest to get to. That’s exactly why we love it. Once you’re there, it works for all levels, and you might well have it to yourselves.

Best for: all levels, and anyone who likes a little adventure on the way.

Malhão: the most beautiful (and the most demanding)

Wild dunes, dramatic cliffs and a long stretch of open beach. Malhão is the most beautiful spot on this coast and the most challenging. It picks up a lot of swell, so it can be powerful. On the right day, there’s nowhere we’d rather be.

Best for: confident surfers who want a session they’ll remember.

São Torpes: the safe bet when everything else is too big

A sheltered bay that stays manageable when the rest of the coast is maxing out. The gentle waves make it great for longboarders and for days when the swell is just too much elsewhere. Afterwards, go for the best lunch on the coast at Arte e Sal. You’ll have earned it.

Best for: longboarders, beginners, and big-swell days.

How we do surf days

We don’t have one surf instructor; we work with different local surf schools depending on the beach and the conditions. That way you’re always surfing with people who know that break inside out. Vera’s out there more often than not. She’d never miss a November swell.

What to bring

Your enthusiasm, mainly. The surf schools provide boards and wetsuits. If you bring your own, pack a good full suit, because the water is fresher than you’d expect after summer. Bring a towel for the drive home, and an appetite.

November is short. The best swells don’t wait. Come and catch a few with us.