Surf spot

Porto da cruz

Forecast conditions and map view for Porto da cruz in Madeira. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Madeira
Coordinates: 32.7687, -16.8210

Metric
Metric	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00	00:00	03:00	06:00	09:00	12:00	15:00	18:00	21:00
Wave height (m)	1.2	1.2	1.3	1.2	1.1	1	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.5	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.8	0.8	1	1	1	0.9	1	1	1.1	1.1	1.2	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1
Wave direction	NNE	NNE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	ENE	ENE	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	N	NNW	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	ENE	N	N	N	N	NE	NE	NE	NE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE	NNE
Wave period (s)	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.2	5.2	5	5.2	5.2	5	5	5	4.9	4.8	4.8	4.8	4.8	4.7	4.6	6.3	6.2	6.1	6.1	5.8	6.3	6	4.5	4.5	4.4	4.4	4.3	4.3	4.5	4.6	4.7	4.8	4.7	4.7	4.8	4.9	5.1	5.2	5.4	5.4	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.7	5.8	5.8	5.8	7.2
Wave energy (kJ)	74	84	90	85	67	62	65	71	69	71	71	71	59	40	36	35	37	39	37	29	22	38	33	32	29	22	21	22	11	11	11	12	13	15	19	22	27	32	46	46	49	36	52	58	66	73	83	80	75	71	69	76	77	74	74	98
Wind speed (km/h)	21.8	21	20.5	21.8	23.5	24.2	23.4	21.3	21.1	21.7	19.6	19.8	21.6	21.5	20.2	18.7	17.7	10.7	10	10.3	11.5	12	7.4	7.1	7.4	5.4	3.1	8.8	13.4	11.7	7.8	6.1	7.3	9.8	11.2	15.3	18.2	19.2	19.8	18.5	18	19.1	21.3	25.2	23.1	22.7	25.7	22.9	24.1	21.5	22	21.5	19.8	19.1	20.9	16.5
Wind direction	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNEOnshore	ENECross-on	ENECross-on	NECross-on	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNEGlassy	NNEOnshore	NECross-on	NECross-on	NECross-on	NOnshore	NNWCross-on	NNWOnshore	NOnshore	NNEOnshore	NNEOnshore	NECross-on	NNEOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NNWOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore	NOnshore

Porto da Cruz, Madeira is a rugged, Atlantic reef/volcanic surf spot on the island’s north coast, known more for power and consistency than for easy-going conditions.

Quick description

Wave type: Predominantly reef break over volcanic rock
Direction: Typically works best with north and northwest swells
Wind: Best with southerly or offshore winds that clean up the wave
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced, depending on swell size and tide
Character: Fast, punchy, and sometimes heavy, with strong local energy and a raw ocean feel

What to expect

A scenic but exposed surf environment with dramatic cliffs and a wild coastline
Waves that can be clean and rippable when conditions line up, but also powerful and unforgiving
A spot that can handle decent size, making it a good option when smaller beach breaks are flat
Volcanic reef and rocks, so board control and awareness are important

Conditions and cautions

Tide sensitivity: The spot can change a lot with tide; some tides make it better, others more dangerous
Entry/exit: Can be tricky because of rocks and surf impact
Hazards: Sharp reef, strong currents, and occasional heavy wash
Crowds: Usually less crowded than mainland Europe surf hotspots, but local etiquette still matters

Overall vibe

Porto da Cruz is a classic Madeira power spot: beautiful, raw, and a little serious. It’s not usually the place for beginners, but for competent surfers it can offer memorable sessions in a dramatic volcanic setting.