Surfing Tarrafal de Monte Trigo: The Complete Guide

Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is a sandy-bottom beach break located in Santo Antão, Cape Verde, offering both lefts and rights along the continent's diverse coastline. Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is a remote fishing village on Santo Antão Island accessible only by boat or a long hike. Rated as intermediate difficulty with uncrowded conditions, this beach break is a worthy destination for surfers looking beyond the usual suspects.

Best Conditions

Swell Direction: The ideal swell direction is NW (315°), with workable conditions from W to N (280°–350°). Swells outside this window will either miss the break or produce disorganized waves.

Swell Size: Tarrafal de Monte Trigo needs a minimum of 1m / 3ft to start working and handles swells up to 3m / 10ft before conditions deteriorate.

Swell Period: Look for a swell period of at least 10 seconds, with 14 seconds being the sweet spot. Longer periods deliver more organized, powerful waves with better shape.

Wind: True offshore here blows from the E (90°). The full offshore range spans ENE to SE (60°–130°). Glassy conditions under 4km/h from any direction also produce excellent surf. Plan for early morning dawn patrol sessions.

Tide: This spot works best at mid tide. Optimal tide range is 0.3m–2m.

When to Go

Primary Season: The prime window at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo runs October, November, December, January, February, March (Oct–Mar). This is when swell consistency and direction align most reliably with the break.

Secondary Season: A secondary window opens April, September (Apr–Sep). While not as consistent, patient surfers can still score quality sessions during this period.

Season Notes: Winter NW swells. N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.

Water Temperature: Expect water temperatures around 23°C / 73°F. A shorty or spring suit is recommended for longer sessions.

Getting There

The nearest airport is VXE, approximately 3 hours by road. A boat is required to reach the lineup, costing approximately $50 USD.

Access: N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.

Hazards & Tips

Known Hazards:

🏝️ Remote — Far from help
🚶 Difficult access — Long paddle or walk

N and S exposure, dead offshore in NE trades.

Safety Tips:

Carry a first aid kit and emergency communication. Help may be far away
Allow extra time for the approach and factor in energy for the paddle/walk

Skill Level: This spot is rated intermediate (5/10). Crowd Level: Typically uncrowded (1/10).

Check the Live Forecast

Planning a session at Tarrafal de Monte Trigo? Check the live forecast on Strike Mission to see today's conditions and the 10-day outlook. Our Strike Score algorithm rates this spot from 0 to 100 every day, factoring in swell direction, size, period, wind, and tide — so you know exactly when to paddle out.

Don't leave your next surf trip to chance. Let the data tell you when Tarrafal de Monte Trigo is firing.

*Conditions data sourced from Strike Mission's verified spot database.*