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.
Praia do Amado surf is a big part of why the Costa Vicentina is known as a surf coast. Amado is a wide, west-facing beach at the end of a valley just south of Carrapateira, roughly half an hour's drive north of Sagres. It picks up almost any swell, has room for plenty of people and has become one of the busiest surf-school beaches in the region.
If you are staying in Sagres, it makes a great day trip, either as a plan B when the local beaches are flat or simply for a change of scenery.
Why Praia do Amado surf is so consistent
Amado faces west into the open Atlantic and works on swell from north-west round to south-west. That wide swell window is the main reason it is the most consistent beach break in the area. On a small day, when the south coast is flat and even the west-coast beaches near Sagres are marginal, Amado often still has a rideable wave.
The beach is long and has several peaks spread across sandbanks, with rocks at the edges. The banks shift through the year, so the best peak on one visit may not be the best on the next. On a small to medium swell there are lefts and rights for every level. When the swell gets big, it becomes powerful, rips get stronger and it is no longer a place for beginners.
Wind
This is Amado's weakness. It sits in an open valley and is exposed to wind. East and north-east winds are offshore and give the cleanest conditions. The prevailing north and north-west winds blow cross-shore to onshore and can chop it up, which is why, as elsewhere on this coast, the morning is usually the best time to surf. If it is blowing hard from the north, the sheltered south coast near Sagres is the better bet; our guide to the Sagres west coast vs south coast surf choice explains why.
Who Amado suits
On small and medium days Amado suits almost everyone. Beginners get long stretches of white water, improvers get forgiving peaks to practise on, and more experienced surfers can find a bank with some push. That is why so many surf schools and camps use it.
The flip side is that the line-up can be busy, especially in summer and at weekends, with lessons in the white water and a crowd on the best peak. Spread out along the beach and you will usually find room. If you are confident, walk away from the main access point.
Getting there from Sagres
From Sagres, drive north through Vila do Bispo on the road towards Aljezur. Shortly before Carrapateira, a turning on the left leads down a track to the beach. Allow about 30 minutes. There is a large parking area behind the beach, and the walk to the water is short.
Facilities are simple. In season you will usually find food vans or a beach bar, but do not rely on anything being open in winter. Bring water, food and a warm layer.
Making a day of it
Amado works well as a full day out. Surf in the morning, have lunch in Carrapateira, then check the waves again in the afternoon or walk the clifftop paths. The coast around Carrapateira is part of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park and is spectacular, with a cliff road connecting Amado with Praia da Bordeira, another big surf beach just to the north.
On the way back to Sagres you pass the turnings for Castelejo and Cordoama, so it is easy to check them too if the tide has changed or the wind has dropped.
Hiring kit and surfing with a guide
If you are surfing on your own, pick up a board and wetsuit from our rentals in Sagres before you drive north. A wider, more forgiving board is a sensible choice for Amado's beach-break peaks unless the swell is solid.
Amado is also a regular on our surf guiding days. A local guide checks the swell, wind and tide, decides whether it is worth the drive or whether a beach closer to Sagres is better, and takes you there with transport included. It is the easy way to surf the right spot on the right day, especially on a short trip. For more ideas on what else is within reach, see our surf spots guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Praia do Amado from Sagres?
About 30 minutes by car. Drive north through Vila do Bispo towards Aljezur and turn off for the beach shortly before Carrapateira.
Is Praia do Amado good for beginners?
On small and medium days, yes. It is a long beach break with plenty of white water and many surf schools use it. On big swells the waves and currents get powerful and it is better suited to experienced surfers.
What conditions are best for surfing Amado?
A small to medium swell from anywhere between north-west and south-west, with an east or north-east wind, which is offshore. Strong north or north-west wind tends to make it choppy.
Can I surf Amado with FreeRide?
Yes. Amado is one of the breaks we use on surf guiding days, and you can rent boards and wetsuits from our surf centre in Sagres if you want to surf it on your own.
