Peniche & Baleal · Portugal
Surfing Baleal
A beach break in Peniche & Baleal, Portugal, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Baleal is the long bay between Peniche and the little island of Baleal, which is joined to the mainland by a sandy strip. The bay faces north-west and is sheltered from the biggest swells, so it has small, rideable waves most days of the year.
That makes it one of the busiest learning beaches in Portugal. Dozens of surf schools work along the sand, and the softer peaks at the Cantinho da Baía end are where most of them go. Further towards the island the waves get stronger.
It works on any tide. In summer, when the rest of the coast is flat, there is usually still something here.
When to surf
Baleal
Baleal is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: N-NW swell, SE offshore wind, all tides.
October to March: Prime
Consistent NW-W swell, mild city winter
April to May: Good
Reliable swell, warming water, fewer crowds
June to August: Quiet
Smaller waves, packed beaches, strong summer thermal wind at Guincho
The year across Lisbon Coast
Waves near Baleal
Lagide
1 kmPeniche & Baleal · Left Reef · Intermediate / Advanced
Molhe Leste
3 kmPeniche & Baleal · Beach Break · Intermediate / Advanced
Supertubos
3 kmPeniche & Baleal · Beach Break · Advanced / Pro
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Baleal has most of the surf houses and puts you on the north-facing beaches; Peniche town is closer to Supertubos and Molhe Leste and has the restaurants. Everything is 10 minutes apart by car, so a base on either side works.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Peniche & Baleal guide.
Peniche & Baleal surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.