Surf photography in Portugal
Portugal's coast is made for surf photography: cliffs above the line-up, headlands that put you level with the wave and a lighthouse above Nazaré's giants. For each spot: where to stand, when the light works and what lens to bring.
Where to shoot, spot by spot
The first vantage point, the best light and the lens range for each guide.
- MatosinhosSeafront promenade mid-beachMorning · 70–400 mm · Matosinhos, Porto
- EspinhoSand just south of the casino groyneMorning · 200–600 mm · Espinho, Greater Porto
- Figueira da FozBeach just south of the Cabedelo jettyMorning · 70–600 mm · Figueira da Foz, Centro
- NazaréForte de São Miguel Arcanjo terracesMorning · 70–600 mm · Nazaré, Oeste
- PenicheSand in front of the Supertubos peaksMorning · 100–600 mm · Peniche, Oeste
- SupertubosSand in front of the main peaksMorning · 100–600 mm · Peniche, Oeste
- BalealSand at Cantinho da BaíaAll day · 70–500 mm · Peniche, Oeste
- EriceiraBeach and car park at Ribeira d'IlhasMorning · 200–600 mm · Ericeira, Mafra
- Ribeira d'IlhasCliff tops above the bayMorning · 300–600 mm · Ericeira, Mafra
- CoxosCliff tops by the car parksMorning · 200–500 mm · Ericeira, Mafra
- Foz do LizandroSand in front of the central peaksMorning · 70–500 mm · Ericeira, Mafra
- Praia do GuinchoSand in front of the working peakMorning · 300–600 mm · Cascais, Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
- CarcavelosWater's edge in front of the peaksMorning · 70–500 mm · Cascais line, Lisbon
- São Pedro do EstorilSand east of the pointMorning · 100–600 mm · Cascais line, Cascais
- Costa da CaparicaSand beside the town groynesMorning · 70–500 mm · Almada, south of Lisbon
- São TorpesNorth end, looking south along the peaksMorning · 200–500 mm · Sines, Alentejo
- Praia da Vieirinha – Vale de FigueirosSand facing the main peaksMorning · 200–500 mm · Sines, Alentejo
- Porto CovoClifftop at the top of the staircaseMorning · 100–400 mm · Costa Vicentina, Sines
- Praia dos AivadosOn the sand, level with the peaksMorning · 200–500 mm · Costa Vicentina, Alentejo
- Praia do MalhãoOn the sand, level with the peaksMorning · 200–500 mm · Costa Vicentina, Odemira
- Vila Nova de MilfontesLighthouse point at Praia do FarolMorning · 100–600 mm · Costa Vicentina, Odemira
- Praia da FranquiaAvenida Marginal above the beachMorning · 300–600 mm · Costa Vicentina, Odemira
- Praia das FurnasOcean-side sand at FurnasMorning · 200–600 mm · Costa Vicentina, Odemira
- Praia do AlmograveClifftop viewpoints above the beachMorning · 200–500 mm · Costa Vicentina, Odemira
- ArrifanaFortaleza da Arrifana viewpointMorning · 200–600 mm · Aljezur, Costa Vicentina
- Monte ClérigoNorthern clifftop looking south-westMorning · 200–500 mm · Aljezur, Costa Vicentina
- Praia do AmadoParking area above the beachMorning · 200–500 mm · Carrapateira, Costa Vicentina
- CordoamaMiradouro de CordoamaMorning · 200–600 mm · Vila do Bispo, Costa Vicentina
- SagresClifftop above Tonel by the access rampMorning · 150–600 mm · Vila do Bispo, Algarve
- TonelClifftop by the access rampMorning · 150–500 mm · Sagres, Vila do Bispo
- ZavialWestern end of the beach, facing the rightMorning · 200–600 mm · Raposeira, Vila do Bispo
Light on an Atlantic coast
Most of the coast faces west. In the morning the sun is behind you and lights the face of the wave; late afternoon turns spray gold and surfers into silhouettes. South-facing spots in the Algarve are backlit most of the day.
Lenses
From the sand or the cliffs the peak is usually 100 to 400 metres away, so a 100–400 mm or 150–600 mm zoom does most of the work. Only swim with a housing where there is a safe channel and you know the spot.
Surf photography journal
- What camera do surf photographers use? Bodies, lenses and housings
- Water got into your camera or housing: what to do right now
- How to get great photos of your surf session
- How to photograph surfing from the water: a practical guide
- How to choose a surf camera housing, plus 10 options for 2026
- Camera settings for surf photography: where to start
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to photograph surfing in Portugal?
Nazaré's lighthouse on big winter days, the cliffs above Ribeira d'Ilhas and Coxos in Ericeira, the beach at Supertubos for barrels and the cliffs of Arrifana and Sagres in the Algarve. Each guide lists its own vantage points.
What lens do you need for surf photography in Portugal?
A 100–400 mm or 150–600 mm zoom covers most spots from land. Nazaré's giants and far-off reefs reward 600 mm or more. Water shots need a housing and a wide lens, and only make sense where there is a channel.
When is the light best for surf photos in Portugal?
Early morning on west-facing beaches, when the sun is behind you and the wind is often offshore. The last hour of daylight gives golden, backlit spray. Autumn and winter add lower sun and cleaner swells.
How do surfers get the photos you take of them?
On Makai you post your photos with the beach tagged, so surfers looking at that beach find your work and can message you. At the beaches Makai covers, publishing a shoot also matches your previews with surfers who logged a session there at the same time.