The Jardim do Mar Surf is probably the best on all of Madeira island. It’s a big right hander with loads of attitude and some neighboring gems.
An introduction to Jardim do Mar surf
Pros, do this: Think Madeira; think Jardim do Mar. Surf wise, this is the epicenter of this majestic island in the middle of the Atlantic. The epitome of the region’s iconic right-hander point breaks, it is sheer quality when a NW swell teams up with a decent easterly offshore. We’re talking huge, 20-foot+ walls of water that rip right into a pebbly bay, ultra-rippable, ultra-fun.
But the times have not been so kind to the Jardim do Mar surf crews. Where once the spot was plied by eager locals pretty much everyday throughout the winter months, it’s now something of a monstrosity. The reason? The construction of a huge concrete seawall here in the noughties has changed the nature of the wave. It’s taken lots of the natural seabed and forced the swell to refract inward quicker and faster. Basically, Jardim do Mar is still epic but it’s now downright scary and is really for experts only.
That said, there are some really nice breaks just around the headland from Jardim do Mar itself that you can cruise to when the going gets too tough.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Madeira and surfing in Portugal
The Jardim do Mar surf at a glance
The good:
- It’s a really powerful wave
- Hollow and sectiony righty
- Good nearby breaks to explore
The bad:
- The jetty has made it pretty dangerous
- Broken boards area always a risk
- Local crews have it wired
What’s in this guide to Jardim do Mar surf?
A guide to the Jardim do Mar surf spots
Here, we’ll take a look at the main break in Jardim do Mar: Jardim do Mar itself. And we’ll reveal just a few of the top spots around it so you have the choice if things look a little too big out there.
Jardim do Mar
Jardim do Mar is the surf break you’re after here. It’s actually the name of the village that stands just there above the breaks. A pretty little village at that. The whole place sits on a lovely plinth just above the Atlantic, facing directly west into the main swell channel. That means groundswells come here first when they come to Madeira, which should be a clue as to just how reliable this wave can be.
However, there’s a caveat: The wave at Jardim do Mar is now a different beast to what it once was. The creation of a huge, bending concrete seawall has turned into a more fierce creation. The work essentially raised the seabed and made the whole end zone really shallow. Getting caught on the inside now means dealing with massive concrete piles instead of Madeira’s natural rock.
More practically, the wave can now only be ridden for about one 1.5 hours just before low tide. That’s when there’s just enough depth to the flick out area for you and board to get away unscathed. Problems aside, there’s no question that Jardim do Mar surf remains some of the best on the island. This is a heavy, heaving right hander that offers speed and big bottom turns into a fast and hugely rippable shoulder.
Ponta Pequena
Ponta Pequena has sort of taken over from where Jardim do Mar left off once the giant seawall was built in that it hosts most of the local rippers today. It’s a good break, but hard to get to since you have to walk a rocky coast road. It’s another right-hand point that gets nice and sectiony if you make the fast drop in and then mellows out towards the middle of the bay. The whitewash and boils will show you where the paddle channel is, don’t worry about that.
Paul do Mar
Paul do Mar is a pretty cool break that forms off the manmade walls by the Madieran ocean road just north of Ponta Pequena and Jardim do Mar. To get there you just have to keep driving a little (5 minutes through the tunnel, no more) from the Jardim do Mar surf spot itself. Generally smaller than its more famous bro, Paul do Mar, it’s a mushier right that offers some fun shortboard riding.
Where to stay when surfing in Jardim do Mar
There are some great stays to be had in the Jardim do Mar area, especially for those who like self-catering and sea views…
SolMar
A roomy self-catering place that’s one row back from the seawall, SolMar is a great option for groups of up to four surfers. The piece de resistance here is the grassy garden, where you can BBQ in the evening after a long sesh on the rights.
Esterinha’s Dream House
Peer over the big balcony from Esterinha’s Dream House and you should be able to check what the surf is saying down in Jardim do Mar. Yep, Atlantic views on the front row combine with a lovely modern interior that’s comfy yet functional at this stunning surf pad.
Contemporary Studios with Pool
The Contemporary Studios with Pool are a stunning modern stay that boasts an almost-infinity pool with visions of the black-rock Madeiran cliffs. The surf breaks right below so you’re super close. Oh, and we love those noir, slate bathrooms!
We’ve also got a complete guide to the very best surf camps in Portugal right now.
Step-by-step guide to planning your jardim do mar surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the jardim do mar surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp. Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Rent a car. If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step four: Enjoy!
When to surf in Jardim do Mar?
Winter is the top time to surf in Jardim do Mar. The swell is strongest in the mid Atlantic from October to March. The best direction here is NW, which happens most in December and January, which is when you can also score some good E winds to help the wave shape up more at low tide. You won’t have to worry about thick neoprene – Madeira is warm enough for a 2mm in the coldest months and just boardshorts in the summer, but booties can help here with getting in and out.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
