The Surf Window

Guincho

Lisboa, Portugal

Beach breakAdvanced

The wildest and windiest beach break near Lisbon, a powerful, exposed stretch of Atlantic coast beloved by kitesurfers and advanced surfers who surf it in the brief calm before the afternoon gale.

Typical Conditions

The Surf Window

Swell Window

N
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size4-10ft

Wind

NE

Offshore

Tide

Any

LowMidHigh

Season

October–March

JFMAMJJASOND

The Wave

Type

Both

Bottom

Sand

Shape

Powerful, hollow beach-break peaks

Length

75–150m

Skill Level

  • •Who it's for: Advanced
  • •Why: Powerful, hollow beach break that becomes impossible in the afternoon wind, timing is everything.

Hazards

  • •Strong afternoon NW–N winds, can arrive suddenly
  • •Rips on bigger swells
  • •Cold water in winter, wetsuit required
  • •Occasional jellyfish

Local Tips

  • •Surf at dawn, the glass-off before the wind arrives is Guincho at its finest.
  • •Located 30 minutes from Lisbon inside the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park; the palace at Sintra is worth combining with a visit.

Location

Map showing the location of Guincho in Lisboa, Portugal

38.7362, -9.4708