Summer in Aljezur brings the warmest water (19-21°C), the most consistent beginner-friendly waves (2-4ft), and the longest days on the coast. It also brings the Nortada — a strong north wind that chops up the surf by late morning — and crowds at the popular beaches. The surfers who enjoy summer most are the ones who learn to work around both.
The Nortada: the thing nobody tells you
The Nortada is a thermal wind that blows from the north-northwest along the Portuguese coast every summer. It typically starts building around 10-11am, peaks in the afternoon, and drops in the evening. On strong days, it can blow 25-30km/h onshore, turning clean waves into choppy mess.
This is the single biggest factor shaping summer surf in Aljezur. It's not a dealbreaker — it just changes how you plan your day.
Dawn patrol (before 9am) is the answer. Early mornings are often glassy or light offshore. The waves are small but clean, the water is calm, and you'll share the beach with a handful of other early risers. Set an alarm, surf for 90 minutes, and you've had the best conditions of the day before most people have had breakfast.
Evening sessions (after 6pm) are the backup. The Nortada often drops as the land cools, and the last two hours of daylight can produce surprisingly good conditions. The light is beautiful, the beach has cleared out, and the water stays warm from the day's sun.
Midday to mid-afternoon is typically the worst window for surf. Use it for lunch, a siesta, or exploring the town and coastline.
Summer wave conditions
Summer swell is predominantly NW, in the 2-4ft range. It's smaller and less powerful than the rest of the year, which is actually ideal for learning. The waves break gently, the intervals are short, and there's minimal current compared to autumn and winter swells.
Flat spells happen. You might get 2-3 days where the swell drops below 2ft and there's not much to ride. This is rare in a full week, but possible. When it happens, it's usually brief — the next pulse of NW swell arrives within a day or two.
For beginners, summer conditions are close to perfect. The waves are forgiving, the water is warm, and the sandy bottoms mean safe wipeouts. For intermediates, it's about wave selection and timing — catch the dawn patrol on a solid 3-4ft day and you'll find waves worth riding.
Best summer spots
| Beach | Summer strengths | Crowd level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrifana | Most sheltered from Nortada — the cliffs block north wind | Busy (peak summer) | All levels, wind protection |
| Monte Clérigo | Family-friendly, manageable waves, beautiful setting | Busy | Beginners, families |
| Amoreira | River mouth creates interesting banks, less crowded | Moderate | Intermediates, escape crowds |
| Vale Figueiras | Wide beach, rarely crowded even in summer | Low-moderate | All levels, space |
Arrifana is the standout summer spot because of wind protection. The bay faces south-southwest and is flanked by high cliffs on either side, which block the Nortada. When every other beach has choppy onshore, Arrifana can still be rideable. The trade-off: everyone knows this, so it gets busy. Arrive early.
Vale Figueiras is the crowd escape. The dirt road and lack of facilities keep numbers down. The beach is enormous — even on a busy day, you can walk 5 minutes down the sand and surf alone. The wave is more exposed to wind, so it's best on calmer mornings, but the space makes up for it.
Dealing with crowds
Summer is peak season. Arrifana's car park fills by 10am on weekends. Monte Clérigo's beach gets packed with families by midday. This is just the reality of July and August on the Costa Vicentina.
How to beat it:
- Go early. Before 9am, even Arrifana is manageable. By 10am, it's a different story.
- Go north. Amoreira and Vale Figueiras are always quieter than the two main beaches.
- Go on weekdays. The weekend influx from Lisbon and the Algarve makes a real difference. Tuesday morning vs Saturday morning is a different experience.
- Skip the midday peak. Most beachgoers arrive between 11am and 4pm. Dawn and evening sessions avoid the worst of it.
Parking and logistics
Book accommodation early. Summer in the Aljezur area fills up, especially Arrifana and Vale da Telha. If you're coming in July or August, book months ahead.
Arrive at the beach early. Arrifana has a single car park that fills fast. Monte Clérigo is similar. If you're surfing dawn patrol, parking is never a problem. By mid-morning, you might be walking.
Bring everything you need. Beach facilities are minimal — a café at Arrifana, one at Monte Clérigo, nothing at Vale Figueiras or Amoreira. Pack water, snacks, sunscreen, and shade.
Wetsuits in summer
Water temperature in summer ranges from 19-21°C. That sounds warm, but after an hour of surfing you'll want neoprene.
A 3/2mm wetsuit is right for most of summer. On the warmest days (late July, August), some people switch to a spring suit or even board shorts with a vest. We provide 3/2mm wetsuits for all summer rentals and can advise on whether you'll want the full suit or something lighter.
Early June and late September bookend the summer season with slightly cooler water (17-19°C). A 3/2mm is comfortable for the full range.
A typical summer surf day
6:00 — Wake up. Check conditions from the window or a quick look at the forecast.
6:30 — Drive to the beach. The roads are empty. Park right at the front.
7:00-8:30 — Surf. Clean, small waves. Light wind or glassy. Maybe ten other surfers spread across the beach.
9:00 — Coffee and breakfast back at your accommodation, or at one of the beach cafés if they're open.
10:00-17:00 — The Nortada builds. Beach time, explore the coast, hike the Rota Vicentina, visit Aljezur's castle, take a rest day. The surf is choppy — don't fight it.
18:00-20:00 — Optional evening session as the wind drops. Golden hour light on the water. The beach is emptying out.
This rhythm — early surf, long midday break, optional evening session — is how locals and regular visitors structure their summer. It works.
Who summer suits
Beginners get the most from summer. The waves are the smallest and most forgiving of the year. The water is warm. Conditions are predictable. If you've never surfed and want to try, June through August is the time.
Families benefit from the warm water, safe beaches, and long daylight hours. Kids can bodyboard in the shallows while parents surf. Monte Clérigo is particularly good for this.
Intermediates will enjoy summer if they commit to dawn patrol. The small swell rewards technique over power — good for practising bottom turns and trimming on clean, waist-to-chest-high waves.
Advanced surfers may find summer frustrating. The swell is small and the good windows are short. If you're chasing proper waves, the shoulder season or winter will deliver more.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth surfing in the afternoon wind?
Rarely. Once the Nortada is fully established (usually by noon), the surf is choppy and frustrating. Your energy is better spent resting for an evening session or the next morning. Some people bodyboard or SUP in the afternoon wind, but for surfing, early and late are the productive windows.
Can I surf without a wetsuit in summer?
Technically yes — the water reaches 20-21°C in August. But most surfers wear at least a spring suit or thin full suit. After 45 minutes in the water, even 20°C feels cool when you're not moving. A wetsuit also protects you from board rash and sun. We recommend at least a 3/2mm for sessions over an hour.
How often are there flat days in summer?
Complete flat days are uncommon — maybe 2-3 days per month. More often, the swell drops to 1-2ft, which is still surfable on a big board but not very exciting. A week-long trip in summer will almost always include several good surf days. Two weeks is even safer.
Is Aljezur too crowded in summer?
The main beaches (Arrifana, Monte Clérigo) get busy, but "busy" in Aljezur is still calm compared to Peniche or the Algarve south coast. And there are always quieter options — Vale Figueiras and Amoreira stay uncrowded even in peak August. The dawn patrol habit solves most crowd problems.
Planning a summer trip? Tell us your dates and levels, and we'll deliver boards and wetsuits to your door — plus honest advice on where to surf that morning. See our pricing.