Terceira
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Positives
- 360º swell window
- Epic Santa Catarina
- Empty big wave spots
- Beautiful landscapes
Negatives
- Short-lived, disorganised swells
- E-facing spots need big swells
- Rapidly changing conditions
- Heavy waves, rocks and boulders
- Relatively expensive
Terceira surf travel guide
Terceira simply means the third island but some of its waves are first class. Its north coast waves are super-heavy from the bombie at Vila Nova to the crunching lefts at Quatro Ribeiras where deep, sharky waters meet huge boulders beneath towering cliffs. The rest of the north and west coasts are just as inhospitable while the south coast action focuses on Terreiro, a sectioney right over a jumble of rocks and rubbish. The east coast has the concentration of breaks from the tip at Contendas to the user-friendly and most crowded spots inside the harbour at Praia da Vitoria. In between are some hollow, shallow spots including the incredible A-frame tubes of Santa Catarina. Because the action is concentrated on the east coast, Terceira works year-round but it's the big winter NW swells that really get the east coast spots going. The trouble will be a concentration of surfers at the weekends as only a couple of spots will probably be working.
Surf spots in Terceira
Research the 11 surf breaks in Terceira and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 11 breaks in Terceira.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Terceira
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Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 645,000
- Population
- 245,766
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- European euro (EUR)
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +351
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Portuguese
Electricity
- Plug Type
- f
Visas
Portugal is part of the Schengen visa scheme so Europeans, North Americans and Antipodeans get 90 days and the rest get a visa first.
Getting There
TERCEIRA EC/Portugal rules for visa. Daily 2h30 flights from Lisbon (LIS) to Praia da Vitoria (TER) with TAP or SATA (board charge). Charter flights from Boston, NYC, Canada and some European countries. SATA flies daily to other islands. Boardbags cost as much as a seat! From June to Sept, Atlantico Line ferries cruise between islands; Sao Miguel - Terceira = 5h30.
Getting Around
TERCEIRA Expect to pay $420/wk at Ilha Verde for a group A car. Plenty of driving on slow and winding roads, except for link between Praia da Vitoria (airport) and Angra do Herismo. Beware of cattle on roads at night.
Accommodation
Best is to stay in Praia. Good views from the 3star Hotel Varandas do Atlantico in Praia ($75/n). Pousadas normally $80-100 and any cheaper options have to be searched out. Azores has good dairy products, fish, wines and Europe’s only tea plantation. A good restaurant meal will be $30-40.
Activities
Check the many natural swimming-pools like Biscoitos, set in volcanic rocks. May-October is Portuguese bullfighting season and whale watching time. Great views from Monte Brasil.
Hazards & hassles
Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides are a threat. Locals surfers deserve maximum respect in the heavy waves. Basalt rocks can be ultra-sharp, some shark sightings at Quatro Ribeiras.
Handy Hints
Take a solid gun. If you break your board, there are two shapers in Porto Martins: Lucas makes SL surfboards and Tito does Titushapes. $600-750 for a new board. Spots like Santa Catarina might be destroyed by Tetrapods in new harbour projects. Visit neighbouring islands, especially Sao Jorge.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.