The best family surf beaches in the Algarve

Updated on 6 September 2024

With its temperate climate, stunning beaches and an enviable location with south and west coast surf breaks to choose from, the Algarve is our favourite destination for family surf holidays in Portugal. It’s also just a three-hour direct flight from our HQ in Cornwall, and an easy hop from plenty of European airports. 

The most convenient base on the Algarve is Sagres, just 1.5 hours’ drive from Faro. This cool, small surfy town boasts its own huddle of breaks catering for various conditions and surfing abilities, as well as easy access to a huge range of surf spots along the south and west coasts. So, when the westerlies are howling you can seek shelter on the south coast, and when the easterlies groom the Atlantic swells, head up the rugged west coast. 

Follow any track seaward and you’re bound to find a sublime surf beach, but to get your started, here are some of our favourite spots to hit the waves, feel the sand between your toes, or sip a cocktail and spectate, on your family surfing holiday in the Algarve.

Praia da Mareta

Sandwiched between two headlands in Sagres, and sheltered from the westerlies, Mareta is usually a great beginners’ spot with much mellower waves than many of the town’s other surf breaks. Despite the crowds, it’s a great spot for a family beach day, with a line-up of cafés serving ice cream and snacks by the shoreline. During the summer months the surf is often small, or even flat, but when the southerlies push through (usually in winter), it can produce quality overhead waves on its day.

Praia do Tonel

On the west side of town, at Tonel you can hit the waves or spend the days playing in the rock pools and soaking up the scenery of Cape St. Vicente and the lighthouse. Suited to more advanced surfers, the rip currents can be strong, but you are rewarded with peaky left and right handers that get more hollow as the tide drops out. With a cool beach bar bang on the sand, it’s one of our favourite beaches in Sagres to hangout and play beachball between surfs. 

Praia do Beliche

Sitting to the west of town, Beliche is an absolute beauty. It’s small and sheltered, producing excellent waves on its day – but can be small and crowded with learners in summer. It’s worth seeking out whatever the conditions; just be prepared for the steep descent from the car park if you’ve got young kids in tow. 

Praia do Zavial

Zavial is one of the most famous breaks in the Algarve, and lies nearly 10km down the coast from Sagres. South facing, it picks up any swell moving up across the Atlantic, producing fast and sizeable waves. Whether or not your skills meet the demands of the surf, it’s a great beach to visit with the family, with lots of sheltered spots to hunker between the rocks and a great beach café overlooking the waves. On a smaller swell, it can also be a beginner-friendly place; to escape the crowds head along the beach away from the main peak. 

Praia do Martinhal 

Footsteps from the luxury family villas at the Martinhal resort lies the most protected of Sagres’ beaches. Huddled under the cliffs, facing away from dominant swell directions (from the SW), it’s a paradise stretch of sand with calm waters to enjoy safe bathing with the kids, as well as other watersports including kayaking, SUP and windsurfing. 

THE WEST COAST OF THE ALGARVE

It’s just ten minutes’ drive from Sagres to Vila do Bispo, where you can veer off onto the west coast and discover numerous breaks that catch the full brunt of the westerly swells. Our favourites include:

Praia do Castelejo

Surrounded by towering black rock escarpments that contrast with the white sand, Castelejo offers consistent surf. However, at high tide there is almost no beach.

Praia da Bordeira

The stunning Bordeira lies just past Carrapateira, along the wild and gob-smackingly beautiful Costa Vicentina Natural Park. With over 3km of pillowy white sands, Bordeira is the longest beach in Aljezur, so there’s plenty of room to pick your own peak. There’s also a lefthand point break that can handle a decent swell and gets hollow on some rides.

Praia do Amado

While the wave quality here depends on the sandbanks, this is a firm favourite despite summer crowds. The peaks nearer the car park are busier, but carry on along the beach for a little more space. It’s also an incredible location for watching the sunset from the warm, red rocks. 

Praia da Cordoama

Cordoama beach is an extensive stretch of sand protected by cliffs, offering consistent peaks, which are better with a small swell. It’s quite isolated with some rips and rocks to watch out for. Stop and soak up the views from the Cordoama viewpoint.

Praia da Arrifana

The popular Arrifana is home to a vibrant Portuguese surfing community. Protected by steep cliffs from all but westerlies, it can hold some size. However, if you don’t want to dabble with the local crowds, it’s worth going to watch the experts take on the barrelling right hander in big swells. 

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