Azores

Where to surf in Azores

When compared to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Atlantic contains very few islands. The Mid-Atlantic ridge, an underwater volcanic mountain chain, runs the entire length of the Atlantic Ocean, but only breaks the surface in a few places. The nine islands of the Azores sit 1300km (800mi) west of Lisbon, and actually include Portugal’s highest peak on the island of Pico. Although they should be easy to spot, sailors referred to The Azores as ‘the Disappearing Isles’ because of the huge swells that would obscure them from view. It is this kind of reputation that is attracting the seasoned surf traveller to these virgin, wave-drenched shores. These islands are split into three groups: occidental (Corvo, Flores), central (Faial, Pico, Terceira, São Jorge, Graciosa) and oriental (Santa Maria, São Miguel). São Miguel is the most populated and most visited island with the only N-facing beachbreaks in the chain. Surfing was introduced to the islands by Marines from the US army base in Faial in the 60's, however the local waveriding population is still small.

Oriental

São Miguel is the biggest island and home to the most surfers. It’s the only island in the chain with north-facing beachbreaks at Ribeira Grande and probably has the greatest variety of surf spots.

Santa Maria is the furthest island east and has an exposed right reefbreak on the NW coast at Anjos plus some rocky beachbreak on the south coast at Praia.

Central

Terceira simply means the third island, but some of its waves are first class. São Jorge is long (56km), thin (8km at widest point) and extremely steep (1053m at the central peak). Short, rocky platforms called ‘fajas’ are the dominant coastal feature, formed by either lava flowing into the sea or piles of rocks that have fallen from the sheer cliffs.

Visible from all the other islands in the central group, Pico is Portugal’s highest mountain and hides a few north coast breaks for those willing to walk some of the tracks or lucky enough to have access to a boat. Lajes do Pico has a SW-facing reef that picks up all the W and S swell action. Just to the west lies Faial and the rocky east coast breaks at Praia do Almoxarife that take big N and some S windswells. Praia do Norte is the main attraction open to all swells but best on W-NW to wrap down the left point. Graciosa is the most northern and smallest island in the Central Grupo and has a few east coast breaks between Praia and the port of Barra near Santa Cruz da Graciosa. The northwest coast has a couple of reefs to search out.

Occidental

Corvo is a logistical nightmare in bad weather for planes and boats and the cliffs prevent rideable surf along most of the coast – only the southern tip at Vila do Corvo has any waves. Flores has far more potential and the place to start exploring is the west coast and the rocky peaks around Faja Grande and Fajazinha.