Activity Snapshot
Activity description
Calhau Surf School was created in summer of 2010, making them the first surf school to operate on Madeira Island! Their extensive surfing experience means that they will try and help you improve your surfing skills as much as possible.
The instructors will develop a suitable program for you that will be adapted to your level of experience and your surfing goals.
You'll be taken out to the best surf spot (depending on the weather conditions) that will be perfect for your surfing skill level.
Below is a list of the spots you could visit:
Praia de Alagoa
Alagoa is in center of Porto da Cruz, here you'll experience a small bay reef break and sand that has quite consistent surf. The best wind direction is from the southwest. Ideal swell direction is from the northwest and north. A left hand reef and a good right hand near the rock when the swell is from northeast. Best around mid tide when the tide is rising.
- Swell: NW/N/NE
- Surf height (m): 0,5 – 2
- Tide: Low/medium
- Wind (kt/s): SW/S/SE
- Wave direction: Left & right
- Surf level: Beginner/intermediate
- Reliability: Fairly consistent
- Type: Reef and beach break
Praia de Maiata
Maiata is a fairly exposed reef break and sand that has quite consistent surf. The best wind direction is from the southwest.
Groundswells and wind swells are equally likely and the ideal swell direction is from the northwest and north. This spot is best around mid-tide when the tide is rising. It is very rarely crowded here.
- Swell: NW/N/NE
- Surf height (m): 0,5 – 2
- Tide: Low/medium
- Wind (kt/s): SW/S/SE
- Wave direction: Left & right
- Surf level: Beginner/intermediate
- Reliability: Fairly consistent
- Type: Reef and beach break
Machico
Machico in Madeira is a quite exposed beach break that has unreliable waves. Autumn and winter are the best times of year for waves. The best wind direction is from the northwest. Windswells are much more typical than groundswells and the best wave direction is from the southeast. The beach break offers both left and right hand waves. Best around mid tide when the tide is rising. Unlikely to be too crowded, even when the surf is up. Take care to avoid the rocks.
- Swell: ENE/E/SE
- Surf height (m): 0,5 – 2
- Tide: Low/medium
- Wind (kt/s): N/ NW
- Wave direction: Left & right
- Surf level: Beginner/intermediate
- Reliability: Inconsistent
- Type: Reef and beach break
