The Algarve is located on the southernmost point of Portugal and remains a year round surf holiday destination for good reason. The hot summer months give way to reasonably cool winters and sumptuous springs ensuring there are always different but compelling reasons to go.
The Algarve coast picks up great Northern swells with particularly large swell windows on the west and southern parts of the coast. Beginners should head there between the months of April and August, whilst the months of November to February are best suited for pro’s.
For beginners one of the best spots to head to is Albufeira. This sloppy beach-break right and left-hander is great fun and usually pretty empty during the week meaning you can surf in peace without the worry of aggravating local etiquette. Added to that the sandy bottom ensures you do not have to worry about the dangers of rocks and coral making it an ideal spot to start your holiday.
For the thrill-seekers amongst you a great spot to head to is Carriagem. This totally epic left and right-hand reef break will definitely satisfy your needs. The waves can reach up to 16 feet and are damn fast. You need to be an experienced to a pro level to ride this which probably explains why it remains fairly empty throughout the week.
Another great spot for the experienced and near pro’s amongst you is Lage do Pescador. You’ll need a boat to access it as the paddle will take an age. The waves here are totally epic but extremely dangerous because of the shallowness of the reef. The left-hand break produces hollow and powerful waves which you surf at your own risk. Needless to say this is usually pretty empty as well.
Julias, on the other hand, is for all levels of surf abilities. This classic left and right-hand beach break is an absolute beauty and worth a stop. In the right conditions waves can reach up to 12 feet and remains reasonably empty through most of the week. Although it mostly consists of a sandy bottom there are some rock outcrops so check from the shore before heading in.
Being a tourist hotspot there are a huge range of accommodation and dining options to fit every budget along with some great restaurants. At the high end of the scale there are the likes of the Sheraton Algarve Hotel near the Albufeira break. At the budget end you can take your pick from the likes of Pateo Village, Solar de Sao Joao and Albufeira Jardim to name but a few.
With almost 300 days of sunshine a year and with the untapped nature with great party scene and rural villages, visiting Algarve is a must. With the consistent all year swells from the Atlantic there will be rare lay days. There are lots of beaches and reef breaks for you to choose and with lots of surf camps around you will definitely learn fun stuffs about Algarve.
About The Author – Josh Aggars writes about beach life, surfing, travel and more. His passion for surfing takes him to amazing places around the World and comes through in his regular articles as he explores all aspects of the sport. He’s known to have the largest collection of flip flops anywhere in the Western hemisphere and never leaves home without at least two pairs of regular and one pair of animal flip flops.
Image by Been Around @ Dubai
