Ericeira Town & South · Portugal
Surfing Pedra Branca
A left reef in Ericeira Town & South, Portugal, for advanced and pro surfers.
Pedra Branca is a short, sharp left over a flat, shallow reef just north of Ericeira town, off Praia da Empa and opposite the campsite. You can see it from the clifftop road.
On a good swell it gets very hollow, and at low tide it turns shallow and dangerous, so mid to high tide is the usual window. It works on a south-west to north-west swell with an east wind. It's popular with bodyboarders and it's for experienced surfers only. The right known as Reef breaks just to the north.
When to surf
Pedra Branca
Pedra Branca is at its best from September to April. Conditions it likes: SW-NW swell, E wind, mid to high tide (shallow at low).
October to February: Prime
Biggest, most consistent NW/W groundswell, cold but firing
March to April: Good
Reliable swell, milder water, shoulder-season crowds
May to June: Quiet
Smaller and patchier, pleasant weather
July to August: Avoid
Small summer swell, packed beaches, high season prices
The year across Ericeira
Waves near Pedra Branca
Reef
under 1 kmEriceira Town & South · Right Reef · Advanced
Ribeira d'Ilhas
1 kmRibeira d'Ilhas & Coxos · Right Point · Intermediate / Advanced / Pro
Coxos
1 kmRibeira d'Ilhas & Coxos · Right Point/Reef · Advanced / Pro
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Ericeira town puts you on foot to Pedra Branca, Reef and the harbour nightlife; Foz do Lizandro (10min south) is quieter and best for beginners and families.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Ericeira Town & South guide.
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