Ribeira d'Ilhas
Ribeira d'Ilhas is the crown jewel of Europe's first World Surfing Reserve—a long, reeling right-hand point break that has hosted Championship Tour events and produced countless magazine covers. Set against the dramatic cliffs of Ericeira, Portugal, this wave wraps around a rocky headland and offers linking sections that seem to go forever on the right swell. The WSL venue status means crowds can be intense, but the wave's quality justifies the attention. When Atlantic groundswells light up the coast, Ribeira d'Ilhas is European surfing at its absolute finest.
Ribeira d'Ilhas surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- WNW (300°)
- Direction range
- 270° - 330°
- Size range
- 0.8m - 3m
- Ideal size
- 1.8m - 2.5m
- Height multiplier
- 0.92×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- E (90°)
- Offshore range
- 45° - 135°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- all
- Optimal range
- 0.5m - 2m
Water temp
17°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Beach access from village.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Ribeira d'Ilhas?
Ribeira d'Ilhas is a point break in Ericeira, Portugal, that mostly breaks right.
What swell works best at Ribeira d'Ilhas?
Ribeira d'Ilhas picks up swell from the W round to the NNW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the WNW. It starts working at around 0.8m and handles up to about 3m, with the sweet spot around 1.8 to 2.5m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 10s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Ribeira d'Ilhas?
An E wind is dead offshore at Ribeira d'Ilhas, and anything from the NE round to the SE keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Ribeira d'Ilhas?
Ribeira d'Ilhas has a preferred tide range, roughly 0.5m to 2m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Ribeira d'Ilhas?
The most reliable run of swell at Ribeira d'Ilhas comes Sep to Apr. There's a second window in May to Jun too. September-April Atlantic swells. Summer can be small.
How cold is the water at Ribeira d'Ilhas?
The water at Ribeira d'Ilhas averages around 17°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Ribeira d'Ilhas good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 5/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Rocky entry. Gets crowded - WSL venue.
How do I get to Ribeira d'Ilhas?
The nearest airport on our list is LIS, then it's roughly a 45-minute drive. Beach access from village.
What other surf spots are near Ribeira d'Ilhas?
The closest breaks we track are Coxos (1.7 km), Praia Grande (20 km) and Praia do Guincho (29 km), handy when Ribeira d'Ilhas isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Secondary: May, Jun
September-April Atlantic swells. Summer can be small.
Getting There
Nearby Spots
Coxos
🇵🇹 Portugal's best • Heavy hollow right • Ericeira's crown jewel
Praia Grande
Sintra beach break • Consistent Atlantic exposure • Easy Lisbon access
Praia do Guincho
💨 Lisbon's windy outlet • Dual-sport beach • Sintra backdrop
Carcavelos
Lisbon beach barrels • Fast sandbanks • Crowded when good
Supertubos
🇵🇹 Portuguese Pipeline • WSL Championship venue • Europe's heaviest tubes
Baleal
🏄 Europe's surf school HQ • Beginner paradise • Peninsula consistency
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