Surfing São Miguel

Rivermouth/Beach · Best Oct-Apr · 2-6 ft · Crowd 3/5

N-NW swell

Ribeira Grande, on São Miguel's north coast, is a black-sand beach in front of the town of the same name, with a rivermouth at one end. It picks up north and north-west swell well, with short, punchy peaks and sometimes a longer right off the river.

It's the busiest surf spot on the island, with a small local crowd and a couple of surf schools. The water is cool all year and the weather changes fast, so check the forecast often.

It works best from autumn to spring on a north or north-west swell. The town has cafés and places to stay, and the black-sand beach of Santa Bárbara, just west, is the island's other main surf spot.

Beach Break · Best Year-round · 1-5 ft · Crowd 2/5

S-SW swell, N offshore wind

Populo is a black-sand beach a short drive from Ponta Delgada, on the south coast of São Miguel, and one of the most consistent waves on that side of the island. The peaks are easy and well shaped, and it favours rights.

It faces south, so it needs a south or south-west swell, and a north wind is offshore. It suits a wide range of levels, it's close to town for a dawn session, and it's the place to check when you're not sure what else is working.

Right Point · Best Oct-Apr · 3-10 ft · Crowd 1/5

S swell, N wind, low tide

Ribeira Quente is a point on the south coast of São Miguel, in a small fishing village away from Ponta Delgada. The waves break over cobbles and rock next to the sea wall: a long right on a south swell, and a heavier left that runs along the jetty on other days.

South swells are less common in the Azores, so the right doesn't break often, and it's best around low tide with a north wind. When it's big it gets slabby and serious, and it's for experienced surfers.