Surfing Ribeira d'Ilhas & Coxos

Right Point · Best Sep-Apr · 2-8 ft · Crowd 5/5

NW swell, offshore E wind, all tides, shallow at low

Ribeira d'Ilhas is a long right point over a flat reef just north of Ericeira, and the main reason the area became a World Surfing Reserve. It breaks in fast sections, and international contests are often held here.

There are different takeoff spots depending on the size: an easier inside section near the beach and a longer, stronger outside peak for when the swell is up. It works from waist high to well overhead.

It's best on a north-west or west groundswell with light offshore wind. It's consistent most of the year, so on good days the lineup is crowded and very competitive. Watch the reef at low tide.

Right Point/Reef · Best Oct-Mar · 3-10 ft · Crowd 4/5

Big NW swell, offshore wind

Coxos is a right reef and point just north of Ribeira d'Ilhas, and many surfers would put it among the best waves in Europe. It has a hollow takeoff followed by long, fast walls down the reef.

It needs a solid north-west groundswell and light offshore wind, so it only really works on proper swells, mostly from autumn to spring. The reef is shallow, the paddle-out takes local knowledge, and the crowd is skilled and tight-knit.

It's for advanced surfers only. Watch it from the cliff first and see where the locals sit and how they get in and out.

Right Reef · Best Oct-Mar · 2-6 ft · Crowd 3/5

NW-W swell, low-mid tide

São Lourenço is a short, heavy right just north of Ribeira d'Ilhas. It's fast, thick and shallow, with a steep takeoff and a barrel section on its best days.

It only lines up on the right swell and tide, and doesn't stay clean for long. The lineup is small and territorial. It's for experienced surfers only: watch a full set from the point before you decide to paddle out.

Ribeira d'Ilhas, a few minutes south, is the easier option, and Ericeira has the places to stay.

Left Reef · Best Oct-Mar · 3-8 ft · Crowd 3/5

Clean NW swell, E wind, high tide

Crazy Left is a heavy, hollow left over shallow reef under the cliffs at the south end of Coxos bay, breaking the opposite way to the Coxos right. As the swell grows it gets more dangerous, with sections that close out without warning over a rock bottom.

On a clean swell around high tide, with an east wind, it throws short, thick barrels, and photographers line the cliff to shoot it. It's for advanced surfers only. Watch it from the top first and give the locals space.