What is the Best Season to Surf in the Algarve?

If you’re dreaming of scoring epic waves in Portugal, you might be wondering: When is the best time to surf in the Algarve? While you can technically surf here all year round, there are two standout seasons that every surfer should have on their radar: autumn and spring. Here’s why these seasons bring the best conditions and why you should plan your next surf trip accordingly.

Autumn: The Undisputed Best Season

If there’s a golden season for surfing in the Algarve, autumn takes the crown. From September to end of December, the ocean wakes up, delivering consistent swells, warmer water, and stable sand banks with fewer crowds. The North Atlantic starts sending solid pulses, lighting up the west and (less consistently) south coasts with cleaner, more powerful waves with W, NW swell direction, hitting perfectly the most iconic surf spots in the Algarve.

The best part? The summer winds die down, creating those glassy morning sessions every surfer dreams of. The day is still very long and the sun is hitting better than summer due to less north wind days, creating also warm currents of water that will let you surf in a 3/2mm wetsuit or even with your swimsuits some days. Bonus: the sunsets this time of year are unreal. Nothing beats watching the sky turn pink after a full day of waves.

Another advantage of autumn is the variety of waves available. While summer limits you to sheltered spots, autumn swells open up a huge range of breaks, from mellow longboard-friendly rollers to powerful, barreling waves, take a look the the best 5 surf spots in the Algarve.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to progress or a seasoned surfer chasing something more challenging, autumn in the Algarve delivers.

Spring: The Perfect Balance

Spring (End of March to June) is another prime time to surf in the Algarve. The winter storms calm down, everythings is green and blossoming. The change of hour makes the day longer and the sun starts hitting like summer. Probably the most beautiful scenary in the Algarve of all year, with swells offering consistent waves without the heavy winter swells, but still delivering some nice waves on the south coast. 

One of the best things about surfing in the Algarve during spring is the variety of surf conditions. Some days you’ll score those perfect small-to-medium-sized waves that let you work on your turns and flow, while other days bring in solid swells for more challenging sessions. The changing conditions keep things exciting, ensuring there’s always something to surf. Strong winds stop, giving glassy conditions many times and offering more surf spots available, spreading out the surf crowd. The only thing is making it a bit worse than Autumn is that the sand banks are still not as stable as after the summer, making the search a bit more unpredictable and some times having stronger currents. But definately, the second best season to surf in the Algarve is Spring. 

What About Summer and Winter?

Summer is great if you’re just starting out. The waves are smaller and more forgiving, perfect for beginners looking to dial in their skills. But for experienced surfers, it can be a little slow, and spots get crowded with tourists and surf schools. Still, if you’re here in summer, you’ll find some fun surf at the right tides and hidden corners. Early mornings and late evenings are your best bet for clean conditions before the wind picks up and the surf schools arrive to the beach.

Winter, on the other hand, is for the hardcore. The biggest, heaviest swells of the year hit the coast, lighting up the more exposed breaks. If you’re up for the challenge and don’t mind a thicker wetsuit, winter can deliver some insane sessions with almost no one out. Just be ready for the occasional stormy spell. The west coast, in particular, comes alive, producing powerful waves that test your paddling strength and commitment (but there is always a good spot shhhh ????...). If you love big surf and uncrowded lineups, winter might just be your season. 

There is also a small secret about winter. The big W NW swells with N NW winds make the best conditions for the south coast, delivering super clean waves, many days for longboarders, but often for shortboard surfers too. 

Final Verdict: Book Your Trip for Autumn or Spring

If you want uncrowded waves, great conditions, and the best overall experience, autumn and spring are the way to go. Honestly, it is hard to decide in between both of these seasons. Either way, you’ll be scoring. So pack your board, grab your wetsuit, and get ready for some of the best waves of your life in the Algarve!

See you in the lineup!