Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
São Lourenço
The northernmost break of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, and the one that holds the most size — a long right off a rock platform well out from the beach, with a vertical take-off that mellows into multiple sections. Sources disagree on how big it holds: WannaSurf says 10ft+, local guides say up to 5 metres.
Surf outlook
We don't have a forecast outlook for São Lourenço 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 São Lourenço. 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 São Lourenço, month by month
Estimated from our authored seasonality — not a live forecast.
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec (All-time).
| Month | Surf consistency | Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Janpeak | All-time | 4/3 fullsuit |
| Febpeak | All-time | 4/3 fullsuit |
| Mar | 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 |
| Oct | High | 3/2 fullsuit |
| Novpeak | All-time | 3/2 fullsuit |
| Decpeak | All-time | 4/3 fullsuit |
Does this wave fit your level?
Rated for Levels 5-7 · Best at Level 6.
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Find my Level →Beginner notes
Not a beginner wave despite the softer inside — the take-off is steep, the paddle is long, and clean-up sets from the west push surfers to the sides of the bay. The heavy shore break at high tide is the specific danger getting in and out. Treat Level 5 as the floor even though one source describes the inside as longboard-friendly.
Hazards
- rocks
- shore break
- strong current
- clean-up sets
Nearby spots
The closest graded spots to São Lourenço, straight-line distance.
- Cave~2 km · Level 7
- Pedra Branca~3 km · Levels 5-7
- Coxos~3 km · Levels 4-7
- Reef~3 km · Levels 6-7
- Matadouro~5 km · Levels 3-5
Best months to surf here
In-season months for Portugal, from our editors’ season calendar.
How this spot is sourced
Cross-checked against 5 sources from 2 independent lineages, last checked August 2026.
Sources disagree on wave type, bottom and which way it breaks. Treat those figures as unsettled — we would rather say so than pick one and sound certain.
Two or more independent sources agree on best swell direction, best tide, best wind direction, exact position and typical size.