Surf spot

Praia do Norte

Forecast conditions and map view for Praia do Norte in Portugal, North Beira. Open the interactive surf map to inspect wind, waves, and nearby spots.

Country: Portugal, North Beira
Coordinates: 39.6106, -9.0860

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)	0.9	0.9	1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	1	1.2	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.3	1.1	1.1	1.1	1	1	1	0.9	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.5	1	1.2	1.6	1.8	2.1	2	2.1	2.1	2.1	2.2	2.1	1.9	2.1	2	1.9	1.9	1.8	1.7	1.8	2	1.9	1.9	1.8	1.5	1.5
Wave direction	NNW	NW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NNW	NW
Wave period (s)	4.5	5.3	5.3	5.2	5.2	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.3	10.3	8.9	8.4	8.6	8.7	8.6	8.6	8.3	8.2	7.8	8.1	8	7.5	7.3	7.5	7.3	7.2	7	7.3	7.3	6.5	6.3	4.8	5.3	6.1	6.5	6.6	7.1	7	6.8	6.8	7	6.8	7.6	7.7	7.8	7.2	7	6.9	6.6	6.5	6.9	6.9	7	6.8	7	6.6
Wave energy (kJ)	32	48	54	58	56	51	48	43	40	197	221	227	232	238	250	255	236	214	145	171	155	108	100	108	95	83	60	68	64	51	22	48	84	181	282	377	387	434	406	414	490	430	435	526	461	390	334	309	258	272	366	358	341	293	223	186
Wind speed (km/h)	7.2	6.1	2.2	2.8	13.5	10.2	8.6	10	10.1	3.8	2.3	1.8	6.6	11.3	3	8.4	7.3	3.4	2.7	3.9	14	9.7	6.1	9.5	9.8	11.8	11.1	16.6	19.6	22.7	22	24.8	30.3	28.8	29.9	22.4	22.4	24	23.5	18.2	16	12	8.7	3.7	16.4	18.6	15.1	13.5	8.3	6.2	3.3	8	13	11.8	9.4	7.2
Wind direction	NNECross-off	NECross-off	NGlassy	NWGlassy	NWCross-on	NNWCross-on	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	ENEGlassy	ESEGlassy	SWGlassy	WNWOnshore	WNWOnshore	NNEGlassy	NECross-off	NNECross-off	ENEGlassy	SSEGlassy	WSWGlassy	WNWOnshore	WOnshore	NCross	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NNECross-off	NCross	NNWCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NNWCross-on	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NCross	NECross-off	WGlassy	NNWCross-on	NCross	NCross	NNECross-off	NCross	NNECross-off	NEGlassy	NNWCross-on	NWCross-on	NWCross-on	NCross	NNECross-off

Praia do Norte, Portugal (North of Nazaré, Beira region) is one of the most famous big-wave surf spots in the world. It’s known less as a casual surf beach and more as a heavy, powerful, world-class big-wave venue.

Spot description

Wave type: Powerful beach break with extreme big-wave potential
Best for: Experienced big-wave surfers only
Main draw: Massive winter swells amplified by the nearby Nazaré Canyon, which can create some of the largest rideable waves on Earth
Conditions: Extremely heavy, fast, and often stormy; can be dangerous even on smaller days
Wave quality: When it’s on, the waves are long, steep, and highly challenging, with huge size and serious hold-down risk

Location and setting

Praia do Norte is on the Atlantic coast, just north of Nazaré in central Portugal, in the historic Beira Litoral area. It faces directly into open Atlantic swell, giving it huge exposure to North Atlantic storm systems. The dramatic cliffs and the nearby lighthouse at Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo are iconic viewing points for watching the waves.

Best conditions

Season: Late autumn through winter, with peak big-wave season typically from October to March
Swell: Large W/NW swells
Wind: Offshore easterly winds are preferred
Tide: Varies by setup, but conditions can change rapidly with tide and swell direction

Hazards

Massive wave size
Strong currents and unpredictable sets
Heavy shorebreak and closeouts
Cold water and harsh weather
Suitable only with proper safety support, such as jet skis, rescue teams, and big-wave experience

Vibe

This is not a mellow longboard spot or a beginner beach. Praia do Norte is a spectacle spot—a place where the world’s best big-wave surfers, tow teams, and photographers gather when conditions line up.