Costa Vicentina · Portugal
Surfing Monte Clérigo
A beach break in Costa Vicentina, Portugal, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Monte Clérigo is a small beach village 8 km west of Aljezur, a few kilometres north of Arrifana.
It catches swell all year, with lefts and rights over sand. It's at its best around mid tide with an easterly wind, and it's much quieter than Arrifana.
It suits beginners and improvers on small days. When the swell is big there are strong currents along the beach.
In summer it's a busy family beach with surf schools; from autumn to spring it gets better swell and far fewer people. The village has a couple of restaurants by the sand. Aljezur, about fifteen minutes inland, has more places to stay.
When to surf
Monte Clérigo
Monte Clérigo is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: NW swell, E offshore wind, mid tide.
October to April: Prime
Consistent NW-W swell, mild Algarve winter, fewer crowds
May, Sep: Good
Warmer water, still decent swell, shoulder-season crowds
June to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches and high season prices
The year across The Algarve
Waves near Monte Clérigo
Arrifana
6 kmCosta Vicentina · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced
Odeceixe
12 kmCosta Vicentina · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
Bordeira
16 kmCosta Vicentina · Beach Break · Intermediate / Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Stay near Arrifana or in Aljezur town for the wildest, most exposed part of the Algarve coast - fewer crowds, more wind and swell.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Costa Vicentina guide.
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