One of the fastest growing civil parishes in the Algarve and all of southern Portugal, Praia da Luz has seen a huge amount of development in recent years. It’s easy to see why the parish is popular with ex-pats and holidaymakers, thanks to the stunning beaches and conditions. But there’s another side to the town with some of the more exposed areas making Praia da Luz surfing holidays very popular.
Situated just six kilometres from the larger town of Lagos, the main part of the Praia da Luz is more suited to family holidays. However, with a right to left beach break of between 50 to 150 metres on a good day, Praia da Luz surfing holidays offer something exciting for surfers.
The wide, arcing beach has always dominated the settlement here. These days you’re far more likely to see tourists than fisherman but the beach is still at the heart of everything. It has a picturesque charm and is flanked by rocks at its western end.
The right to left break is hollow and fast. That, combined with a mixture of sandy and rocky bottom makes it suitable for more experienced riders. A big swell and the larger Algarve tidal range can produce some pretty big waves of one to two metres and although the waves are very crowded at the weekend, during the week it’s usually quieter.
During the winter is the best time to surf, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the November to March prevailing wind comes from the north, and there are obviously fewer crowds. This being the Algarve, the weather never really gets that bad, although the summer time does have its obvious advantages.
Of course, Praia da Luz surfing holidays, as with all surf trips in the Algarve, mean you are pretty close to a number of other top breaks and swells to check out during your trip.