Illustration — no photo of this spot yet
Reef
A short, fast, hollow right on the north side of Praia da Empa — a critical take-off into a barrel that ends where the reef dries out. Popular with bodyboarders. Both sources rate it experts-only, and both flag localism, which is the highest of any Ericeira break in the catalogue.
Surf outlook
We don't have a forecast outlook for Reef yet. The seasonal guidance below is based on long-run averages, not on this week.
Live conditions
We don't have a current forecast for Reef. The seasonal guidance below is based on long-run averages, not on today.
Surf Snapshot
Estimated seasonal guidance — not a live forecast.
When to surf Reef, month by month
Estimated from our authored seasonality — not a live forecast.
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec (High).
| Month | Surf consistency | Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Janpeak | High | 4/3 fullsuit |
| Febpeak | High | 4/3 fullsuit |
| Marpeak | High | 3/2 fullsuit |
| Apr | Moderate | 3/2 fullsuit |
| May | Inconsistent | Spring suit |
| Jun | Inconsistent | Spring suit |
| July | Inconsistent | Boardshorts |
| Aug | Inconsistent | Boardshorts |
| Sept | Moderate | Spring suit |
| Octpeak | High | 3/2 fullsuit |
| Novpeak | High | 3/2 fullsuit |
| Decpeak | High | 4/3 fullsuit |
Does this wave fit your level?
Rated for Levels 6-7 · Best at Level 7.
Take the 2-minute quiz to see if Reef fits you today.
Find my Level →Beginner notes
Level 6 floor. The reef is sharp, shallow and exposed at the surface at the end section, so a fall in the wrong place is a reef injury rather than a hold-down. Localism is real here — both sources name it — so this is not a spot to learn the etiquette on.
Hazards
- sharp shallow reef
- urchins
- rocks
- localism
Nearby spots
The closest graded spots to Reef, straight-line distance.
- Coxosunder 1 km · Levels 4-7
- Pedra Brancaunder 1 km · Levels 5-7
- Matadouro~1 km · Levels 3-5
- Ribeira d'Ilhas~2 km · Levels 3-6
- Cave~2 km · Level 7
Best months to surf here
In-season months for Portugal, from our editors’ season calendar.
How this spot is sourced
Cross-checked against 4 sources from 2 independent lineages, last checked August 2026.
Two or more independent sources agree on best swell direction, best tide, best wind direction, bottom, typical size, wave type and which way it breaks.