Surfing Praia do Amado

Amado is a classic exposed beach break with lefts and rights over shifting sandbanks along roughly a kilometre of beach. The usual pattern is A-frames in the middle, a longer right off the north end and punchier, hollower peaks towards the south. It faces west-northwest and lights up on north-west to west swells with a decent period, holding up to around double overhead. East and north-east winds are offshore, and the cliffs give some shelter from the north wind.

Mid to high tide is generally best; low tide runs faster and dumpier. In summer the waves are small and friendly, and the whitewater inside suits beginners; autumn and winter bring the most consistent clean sessions and more power. Rocks sit under the sand in places and are not always visible, so ask a school or a local where they are. Bigger swells create rips. Summer days and weekends bring schools and plenty of surfers, but the beach is big enough to spread out.

The parking area sits right above the sand, which gives an easy elevated angle over the middle peaks at 200–400 mm. For the full sweep of the bay, climb to the clifftops at either end; from there the lineup is further off and 400–500 mm helps. Because the beach faces west-northwest, mornings put the sun behind you and light the waves from the front.

By late afternoon the sun drops over the sea and shots from the land turn backlit, with glare and silhouettes. That is when shooting from the water pays off: facing the beach, you get surfers against the red and ochre cliffs in warm, low light. The water is manageable with a housing on small and medium days, but watch the rips once the swell builds. Along the clifftop route towards Bordeira there are wide views of the coast for establishing shots.

Carrapateira sits on the N268 between Aljezur and Vila do Bispo, around an hour and a half from Faro airport or 25 minutes from Sagres. From the village, follow signs south to Praia do Amado; the drive takes about five minutes and ends at a large parking area above the beach, with wooden steps down. There is a beach café, surf schools with board rental and lifeguards in summer; for restaurants and accommodation, head back to Carrapateira.