Surf spot

Ilha Deserta

Forecast conditions and map view for Ilha Deserta in Portugal, Algarve. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Portugal, Algarve
Coordinates: 36.9644, -7.8775

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)	0.6	0.7	0.9	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.9	1	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1.1	1.2	1.2	1.1	1	1	0.8	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.4	0.6	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
Wave direction	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	WSW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	WNW	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE	SE
Wave period (s)	4.5	4.7	4.8	4.8	5	4.7	4.8	4.8	4.8	5	5.3	5.5	5.4	5.3	5.3	4.8	5	5	5.1	5.3	4.8	4.6	4.7	4.7	4.8	4.8	4.6	4.5	4.3	4.2	4.2	3.7	3.2	3.4	4.5	4.8	5	4.7	4.2	3.8	3.8	3.9	4	4	4	4.1	4.3	4	3.6	3.9	4	4	4	4	3.8	3.6
Wave energy (kJ)	13	24	37	41	36	28	29	36	49	65	77	91	78	67	58	59	67	69	68	60	44	30	27	23	21	20	18	15	11	8	6	4	5	4	10	10	12	8	13	14	9	7	6	5	4	4	4	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	3	2
Wind speed (km/h)	4.5	3.1	5	11.7	18.4	13.4	8.1	5.1	7.9	7.2	10.1	17.8	19.3	16.3	13.3	9.7	6.9	7.6	9.3	15.6	14.3	14.4	8.7	5.1	5.1	4.2	4.9	6.6	12.9	14.9	15.8	21.6	16.2	11.4	6.5	8.4	9.9	9.5	11.4	16.9	6.2	7.4	5.7	10.8	20.7	17.9	6.2	3.7	8.9	8.6	9.4	12.4	15.7	12.9	6.4	3.2
Wind direction	NNEGlassy	SEGlassy	NNECross	ENECross-on	ESEOnshore	SECross-on	SEOnshore	NECross-on	ENECross-on	NNECross	NECross	ENECross-on	ESEOnshore	SEOnshore	ESEOnshore	NNECross	NECross-on	NCross	NECross	ENECross-on	SEOnshore	SCross-on	WOffshore	NWOffshore	NCross-off	ENEGlassy	NWGlassy	WNWOffshore	SSWCross	SSWCross	NWOffshore	NNWCross-off	NCross-off	NNWCross-off	SSWCross	NCross-off	WNWOffshore	WCross-off	NCross	NNWCross-off	NNECross	NECross-on	NECross	ENECross-on	ESEOnshore	SEOnshore	SSECross-on	NNEGlassy	ESEOnshore	ENECross-on	NECross-on	ESEOnshore	SEOnshore	SECross-on	SWCross-off	NNWGlassy

Ilha Deserta (also called Ilha Barreta) is a secluded sandbar island off the coast of Faro, Algarve, Portugal. It’s not a classic high-performance surf break, but rather a remote, scenic beach/shoreline spot where conditions can occasionally produce small, clean waves depending on swell, wind, and sandbank shape.

Surf character

Type: Open beachbreak / sandbank surf
Wave quality: Can be decent with the right swell, but generally inconsistent
Best conditions:
South or southwest swell
Light offshore winds from the north/northeast
Mid to low tide often works best, depending on sandbar position
Wave size: Usually small to moderate, but can handle bigger winter swells

What makes it special

Very uncrowded compared with better-known Algarve surf spots
Beautiful setting inside the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Long sandy stretches and a wild, undeveloped feel
Great for a quiet surf session if you don’t mind a bit of adventure getting there

Things to know

Access is by boat/ferry or a long walk from the eastern end, depending on conditions and regulations
Because it’s exposed, conditions can change quickly
No facilities on the beach itself, so bring water, food, and sun protection
Watch for currents, shifting sandbanks, and tidal changes

Overall

Ilha Deserta is best thought of as a scenic, off-the-beaten-path surf option rather than a consistent surf destination. If the sandbanks line up, it can offer fun, clean waves in a stunning natural setting.