Nazaré
Centro, Portugal
Beach breakExpert
Home to the biggest and heaviest waves ever ridden, a deep-water submarine canyon that focuses Atlantic groundswells into walls of 50–100ft, shattering world records every winter.
Typical Conditions
The Surf Window
Swell Window
OptimalW (270°)
WindowSSW–NNW (210°–330°)
Size4-10ft
Wind
NE
Offshore
Tide
Any
LowMidHigh
Season
October–March
JFMAMJJASOND
The Wave
Type
Both
Bottom
Sandy beach (wave energy from deep canyon)
Shape
Enormous, heaving walls, not a barrel wave, a moving mountain
Length
200–500m
Skill Level
- •Who it's for: Elite big-wave specialists (at size); Advanced (on 6–10ft days)
- •Why: The canyon amplifies swells to unimaginable scale, at size, this wave can kill even experienced big-wave surfers.
Hazards
- •Extreme wave size, hold-downs measured in minutes
- •Strong rip currents in the canyon
- •Jet-ski support and inflatable vests required at size
- •Spectator cliffs can be dangerous in storm conditions
Local Tips
- •The Nazare lighthouse at Praia do Norte is the world's best big-wave watching spot, accessible to the public.
- •On 6–10ft days it's a powerful, fun beach break; on 20ft+ days it's a spectacle of human courage.
Location
39.6027, -9.0746