Local Knowledge
The Surf Journal
Twenty-four years of surfing this coast, written down. Which beach works on which swell, what the water feels like in February, what a week here actually costs — the things we get asked on the beach every day.
Surfing Praia do Amado: A Day Trip from Sagres
When the beaches around Sagres are small or messy, the wide valley beach at Amado often has something rideable. What to expect from Praia do Amado surf and how to make a day of it.
Surfing Zavial: A Guide to Zavial Surf on the Algarve South Coast
Most of the year Praia do Zavial is a quiet south-coast beach. When a big winter swell wraps around the cape and the wind blows from the north, it becomes one of the best waves in the area.
5 min read
West Coast or South Coast? How to Choose Where to Surf in Sagres
Sagres sits on the corner where two very different coastlines meet. Here is how to read the swell and the wind and pick the side that will actually have good waves.
7 min read
Surfing Sagres over Christmas and New Year: Planning a Christmas Surf Trip to Portugal
Swapping turkey and tinsel for a wetsuit and Atlantic groundswell? What surfing Sagres over the festive season is really like, and how to plan a Christmas surf trip that works.
6 min read
Wetsuit Thickness for Surfing in Portugal, Month by Month
3/2 or 4/3? Boots or no boots? A month-by-month guide to what wetsuit you need to surf in Sagres and the Algarve, with approximate water temperatures for each month.
6 min read
Winter Surfing in Sagres: Swell, Water Temperature, Wetsuits and Which Coast Works
Bigger swells, emptier line-ups and two coastlines to choose from. What surfing Sagres between November and March is really like, and how to plan a winter trip that works.
7 min read
A Week of Surf and Stay in Sagres: What Your Seven Days Actually Look Like
Not a package list — an honest, hour-by-hour picture of a surf-and-stay week in Sagres, including what happens when the west coast is blown out.
8 min readSurfing Sagres in September and October: The Autumn Swell Guide
Warm water, the first proper Atlantic swells and empty line-ups. Why autumn is quietly the best surf season in Sagres — and how to plan around it.
7 min read
Summer Surfing in Sagres: Your July & August Wave Guide
Heading to Sagres this summer? Here's what to expect from the waves in July and August — swell patterns, water temperature, crowd tips and where to surf.
6 min read
Surfing in Sagres with Kids: A Family Guide
Planning a family surf trip to the Algarve? Here's everything parents need to know about surfing in Sagres with children — age limits, safety, beaches and what to expect.
7 min readYour Complete Guide to a Surf Holiday in Sagres
Everything you need to plan the perfect surf trip to Sagres — from when to visit and where to stay to booking lessons, eating well and exploring beyond the waves.
8 min read
Top 5 Surf Beaches Near Sagres for Every Level
From sheltered bays for your first wave to powerful reef breaks for experienced surfers — here are the five best surf beaches within 15 minutes of Sagres.
7 min read
Do I Need Experience for Surf Guiding in Sagres?
Surf guiding vs surf lessons — what's the difference, what level do you need, and what does a typical guiding day look like?
5 min read
How Much Does It Cost to Surf in Sagres? (2026 Prices Explained)
Lesson prices, rental costs, packages and the extras nobody lists — a transparent breakdown of what a surf trip to Sagres actually costs in 2026.
8 min read
Is Sagres Good for Beginner Surfers? Your Questions Answered
Everything first-time surfers ask us before booking a trip to Sagres — answered honestly by instructors who teach here every day.
5 min read5 Tips to Level Up From Beginner to Intermediate Surfer
You can pop up and ride white water — now what? Five concrete things to focus on to start riding green waves with confidence.
5 min read
Sagres vs Ericeira: Where Should You Surf in Portugal?
Two of Portugal's most famous surf towns, two very different trips. An honest, detailed comparison from a school based in one of them.
9 min readWhat to Pack for a Surf Trip to Sagres
From wetsuit thickness to reef-safe sunscreen — a no-nonsense packing list for your surf holiday in Sagres, Portugal.
4 min read
Surfing Praia da Cordoama: Sagres' Most Versatile Surf Beach
Long, sandy and forgiving — Praia da Cordoama is our home beach and one of the best all-level surf spots on the entire Algarve coast.
5 min read
Best Time of Year to Surf in Sagres, Portugal
Sagres has waves 365 days a year — but each season has its own personality. Here's how to choose the right time of year for your surf trip.
5 min readHow to Learn to Surf in Sagres: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Thinking about catching your first wave in the Algarve? Here's everything a beginner needs to know about learning to surf in Sagres, Portugal.
6 min readReady to Get in the Water?
Reading about it only gets you so far. Our instructors have been putting people on their first wave in Sagres since 2002.