Surfing Almograve

The beach is split in two by Rocha Furada, a rock with a hole through it: Praia Grande to the north is wider, Meia Praia to the south narrower. Waves break over a mix of sand and schist, with lefts and rights between the outcrops and submerged rocks along the bathing area. West to northwest swells work best, and an east to southeast wind is offshore. Because the beach is so flat, the tide transforms it: the sea runs a long way up the sand at high water and drains out fast, leaving pools among the rocks at low tide.

Sources disagree on the best stage, some favouring low tide while the council notes that waves break more as the tide comes in, so start around mid tide and watch how the rocks show before committing. Rips form beside the outcrops. Surf is most consistent from autumn to spring, with December often the pick, and crowds are light even on good days. Beginners should come with a school; lessons are offered on this beach.

Almograve faces a little north of west, so morning light comes from behind you over the village and lights both the waves and the black rock; late afternoon is backlit, and the wet schist reflects the sunset. The clifftop viewpoints above the beach give the classic elevated view over the peaks, with rock ledges in the foreground; from there a 200–500 mm lens covers the lineup.

Down on the sand, Rocha Furada makes a strong foreground for wider frames. The contrast of white water on black schist is what sets pictures here apart from the sandy beaches further north. Water shooting is only for experienced swimmers because of submerged rocks and rips. Keep back from the cliff edges, which are schist and can crumble.

Almograve is about 14 km south of Vila Nova de Milfontes by road, crossing the Mira bridge and passing Longueira. The beach is 500 m from the village, with parking above and three stairways down the cliff to the sand. In the bathing season there are lifeguards, toilets and a beach bar, and the village has restaurants and places to stay. The Fishermen's Trail stage from Milfontes, via Furnas, also ends in the village.