October reminds the Costa Vicentina it faces the open Atlantic: more swell than summer, water toward 18°C, and thinner crowds after holidays. You trade warm tiny summer surf for power, mood, and storm days when coffee beats a hero paddle-out.
October quick stats
| Factor | Typical October in Aljezur |
|---|---|
| Air temperature | About 15–22°C |
| Water temperature | Around 18°C |
| Wetsuit | 4/3mm (Apr–May and Oct band) |
| Swell | Bigger and more consistent than summer—1–3m common; 4m+ possible in storms |
| Crowds | Much quieter than Jul–Aug |
| Daylight | Roughly 11 hours |
| Best for | Intermediate+ surfers; people who like hiking in mild weather between sessions |
Context: winter surfing Aljezur for the next step colder, and best time to surf Aljezur for the full calendar.
Wave conditions
October sits in the shoulder toward winter: NW swell becomes more regular and more powerful than in June–August. 1–3m surf is common when systems line up; during storms, 4m+ can appear—exciting from the cliff, not always inviting in the lineup.
Wind is less dominated by summer Nortada, but onshore and storm winds still happen. Morning often offers the cleanest window; after frontal passages, conditions can shift fast—check live reports, not yesterday’s memory.
Tips:
- Respect the jump in energy vs summer; the same break behaves differently.
- Beginners should choose small days and mellow peaks—or wait for summer-style pulses between systems.
- Spot primer: Arrifana plus the complete guide to surfing Aljezur.
Board selection: as waves get punchier, volume and length matter; see what surfboard should I rent.
What to wear
~18°C water: switch to a 4/3mm wetsuit for comfortable sessions. Boots help on reef and on windy days; hood is usually optional in October unless you feel the cold.
Our seasonal thickness breakdown: wetsuit guide Portugal.
Crowds and accommodation
Crowds drop sharply after summer—weekday lineups can feel almost private compared with August. Weekends still bring Portuguese visitors, but nothing like peak season.
Accommodation is easier to book short-notice, and nightly rates are usually below July–August highs—strong value if you are here for waves.
Where to stay in Aljezur covers villages and access.
If you are visiting from a country where October means hooded 5mm and numb feet, Portugal’s ~18°C water will feel almost luxurious in a good 4/3mm—until a windy day reminds you it is not summer. Pack a beanie for the car park, warm socks, and something windproof for post-surf; those small comforts change how motivated you stay across a week of bigger surf.
Beyond surfing
October hiking on the Rota Vicentina is excellent: mild air, dramatic skies, and trails without summer heat. Photography rewards early and late light; cafés in town feel local again.
More land ideas: non-surf activities, best restaurants.
Rain, roads, and the dirt-track beaches
October can bring proper Atlantic weather—squalls, muddy paths to more remote breaks, and cooler air that makes changing out of a wetsuit less pleasant if you are unprepared. A changing robe, a dry bag for keys, and a towel that actually dries matter more than in August. Some access roads get rough after rain; take it slow and do not assume a rental car with low clearance belongs on every track. If conditions look huge, there is no shame in watching from the cliff—October is a month for judgment, not points.
Why October might be right for you
Pick October if you want real swell, quiet beaches, and cooler air without full winter harshness. Skip it if you need warm water and guaranteed beginner mush every day—high summer is kinder for that.
Surf Rental Aljezur offers 4/3mm wetsuits in the shoulder months (Apr–May, Oct) and free delivery of soft-top boards and suits to Aljezur, Arrifana, Vale da Telha, and Monte Clérigo (broader Costa Vicentina — ask case-by-case). See pricing (Board only €25/day €85/wk, Full €35/€120, Premium €45/€150; two-week bundles on the pricing page). Contact with dates.
Is October too big for beginners in Aljezur?
Some days, yes. Pick small forecast windows or protected spots; avoid storm days if you are still learning.
4/3mm wetsuit for October in Portugal?
Yes—for ~18°C water, a 4/3mm is standard on this coast in October.
How crowded is Aljezur in October?
Much quieter than summer—one of the calmer months in the lineup.
Are storms a problem in October?
Occasionally—you can get big seas and strong wind. Use judgment; no wave is worth a bad call.