Nazaré is where surfing's largest waves are ridden—a Portuguese beach break that produces mountainous surf thanks to the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater trench that amplifies Atlantic swells to terrifying heights. Waves of 80-100+ feet have been documented here, and the world record for largest wave surfed continues to be broken at this spot. The wave breaks on sand, making it marginally more forgiving than reef breaks, but the size, power, and chaos are beyond anything else on Earth. Tow-in required at size.
Difficulty
6/10
Crowd level
3/10
👥 Easter Break (Mar 28 – Apr 13) — expect extra crowds
Access: Beach/jet ski
🏄 Europe's surf school HQ • Beginner paradise • Peninsula consistency
🇵🇹 Portuguese Pipeline • WSL Championship venue • Europe's heaviest tubes
🇵🇹 Portugal's best • Heavy hollow right • Ericeira's crown jewel
🏆 WSL venue • Accessible quality • Ericeira crown
🏆 WSL CT venue • World Surfing Reserve • Europe's premier point