Carcavelos
Carcavelos is Lisbon's urban performance beach break, a powerful sandbar setup that can produce fast barrels when west swell and light offshore wind line up. It is one of Portugal's most accessible quality waves, sitting close to the train line and city center, which also means crowds arrive quickly. The wave is highly bank-dependent but can be excellent through autumn and winter.
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Strike Score Breakdown
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (270°)
- Direction range
- 240° - 290°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- N (0°)
- Offshore range
- 330° - 45°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Bottom
Sand
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
👥 Summer Holidays (Jun 20 – Sep 13) — expect extra crowds
Frequently Asked Questions
What tide is best at Carcavelos?
Carcavelos works best on a mid tide. The tide chart above shows today’s strike window.
What wind direction is offshore at Carcavelos?
Offshore wind at Carcavelos blows from the N (0°). Anything in the 330° to 45° range grooms the faces; outside it, expect chop or bumpy conditions.
What swell size and direction work best at Carcavelos?
Carcavelos wants W swell (240° to 290°) between 1.2m and 3m, with a period of 14s or more for quality waves.
When is the best time of year to surf Carcavelos?
The main season at Carcavelos is Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Lisbon beachbreak favoring W-WNW winter swells and north offshore winds.
How do I get to Carcavelos?
Fly into LIS, then allow about 20 minutes by road.
What kind of wave is Carcavelos?
Carcavelos is a beach break, a peak with lefts and rights over a sand bottom. Difficulty is rated 5/10.
Best Season
Peak: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Lisbon beachbreak favoring W-WNW winter swells and north offshore winds.
Getting There
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