Guide to Carrapateira surfing holidays

Feb 21, 2014 BY Paul McWilliams

Located in the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast National Park, the small surfing village of Carrapateira sits on the west coast of the southern tip of Portugal. A traditional hamlet, Carrapateira has found a new lease of life as a base for surfers. Carrapateira surfing holidays offer access to a number of local beaches for surfers to explore.

Carrapateira Surfing Holidays Praia do Amado flickr image by Annabelle Orozco

The village has an eco-friendly reputation and has benefited from the boom in surfing and watersports in the area. At just over 20 miles from Lagos and some of the other Algarve beaches, it combines a more isolated surfing experience with the amenities of the Algarve.

The Carrapateira beaches

The Praia da Bordeira is regarded as one of the finest beaches in Portugal, notable for its rugged limestone cliffs and vast sand dunes. Along with the Praia do Amado, these beaches’ Atlantic coast position means they are slightly more exposed to larger winds and swells.

The Carrapateira conditions

This is a very consistent part of the country to surf, largely thanks to its west coast location. With around 150 days a year of good conditions on most of the surf beaches in the area. Large Atlantic swells at low and mid tide produce waves of up to four metres. A sandy and rocky bottom mean this is better suited to more experienced surfers.

Carrapateira surfing holidays Praia do Amado Flickr image by Annabelle Orozco

The Carrapateira location

Being a little distant from the main centres of the Algarve give Carrapateira surfing holidays a little bit of an advantage in terms of crowds, especially during the week and off season. However, the reliable big waves here do draw in surfers at the weekend.

Carrapateira surfing holidays are better suited to more serious surfers looking for a more pure surfing break. While the village has plenty to do, those looking for a more vibrant nightlife scene should try around the coast in Lagos.

 
Alentejo, Algarve, Atlantic Ocean, Carrapateira, Europe, Portugal, Vicentine Coast National Park
Surfing
Environmentally Friendly, Eco, Green
Travel Articles
 

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