Sines surf spreads north and south of the town itself up the relatively unknown Alentejo coast. We think this region is primed to become one of the leading surf zones in Portugal in coming years, and Sines might just be the center of the action.
An introduction to Sines surf
Situated in the Alentejo region, Sines benefits from a unique geographical position that means it’s a pretty good option for surfers. Beaches face northwest, others face southwest, helping them hoover up almost anything happening the Atlantic and twist squally winds into an offshore at various spots.
For the most part, you’re looking at long beaches that have shifting sandbanks up adn down thier length. Lots of folks compare it to the Capraica near Lisbon, but we think the sands of Sines are superior becuase a) they don’t have the crowds and b) the banks are just better overall, with the potential to cook up semi-hollow walls at key spots.
The other highlight of surfing in Sines is the untouched natural beauty of the Alentejo. The coastline here is adorned with golden sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, and most spots are waaaay emptier than what you find around Ericeira and Peniche.
Sines is also home to a vibrant and welcoming – if nascent – surfing community. The beaches south of town now have surf schools and camps that cater to all levels. Plus, there are a few pretty darn fantastic surf camps hidden away in the Alentejo mountains behind Sines taht we think are among the best im the whole of Portugal. Choose those to surf by day, do yoga each morning, and pack in wine tasting and farm-to-table Portuguese cooking.
Oh yea, and there’s the town…Sines offers myriad activities. Explore the town’s historical sites, such as the medieval castle or Vasco da Gama’s birthplace, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Portugal in the maze-like center, between its whitewashed cottages and seafood taverns.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Portugal
Sines surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to surfing in Sines?
Where is Sines?
Sines is a charming coastal town located in the Setúbal District of Portugal. Situated on the western coast, it belongs to the Alentejo region, which is a bit of an outlier on the PT surf scene since it’s not yet anywhere near as famous as the Silver Coast, the Algarve, or the Estoril Coast. More generally, Sines town is sat on a headland that’s just under 2 hours’ drive south of Lisbon and about the same from the southwestern tip of the Algarve at Sagres.
How to get to Sines?
The nearest major airport to Sines is Lisbon Portela Airport, located approximately 160 km away. From the airport, you can take a direct train or bus to Sines, with a journey time of around 2 hours.
Sines is well-connected by rail to other big PT cities. From Lisbon, you can catch a train from Sete Rios station to Sines, with regular services throughout the day. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours. We use Omio to book our train travel in Europe all the time – it’s the best online platform IMO.
Various bus companies operate routes to Sines from major cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. The journey times vary depending on the departure location, but typically range from 2 to 4 hours. The bus station in Sines is conveniently located in the town center.
If you prefer the freedom of driving, Sines is easily reachable via the A2 motorway. The drive from Lisbon takes approximately 2 hours, while Faro is around 3 hours away. We actually think this is the very best option because you’ll almost certainly want wheels to explore the beaches north and south of town to surf – it’s the main joy of choosing the Alentejo region!
Sines surf spots
We’ll start north of town and work our way south, through the beaches of Comporta and then onto the long sands south of Sines itslef.
Praia do Carvalhal
Praia do Carvalhal is probably the best surf spot in the Alentejo region, let alone in the vicinity of Sines. It’s the long, arcing band of yellow sand that’s north of town. Gets great W swell action but works nicely on anytthing from SW thru NW. There are patches of reef that throw out semi-hollow walls on larger days. Summer is for learners, as the whole thing is one sandbank peak after the next, usually cruisy and very forgiving.
Praia do Areão
Praia do Areão lacks a lot of quality because of the shape of the shoreline on the beaches north of Sines. The dunes drop really steeply here, sucking up any water into what’s little more than dumpy beach breaks. There are some sections of the beach where the shelf widens and a low tide can offer lippy little rides and A-frames, but it won’t work well on anything over 5 foot. At least we’ve never seen it. Pretty beach, though.
Praia de Sao Torpes
Praia de Sao Torpes is consideredthe first of the main quality Alentejo spots south of town.
It’s a classic regional setup, with a long beach filtering away from a jetty wall at the north end. That north is end is where you’ll get the best waves, because there’s excellent shelter from oncoming N winds and the sets pluck up nicely into wedgy walls that will barrel when there’s good power coming through.
There’s a really small, fast left on the north side of the breakwater. But it’s the other side that steals the show, because a tubular right works about 100m shy of the concrete when it’s 6-foot+ and offshore. People come up from the Algarve when its working fine becuase it’s a seriously nice wave for upper intermediates and advanced riders.
Summer on Torpes is for the leanrers mainly. There’s girgling whitewash and ankle slappers that are great fun and great for practice, most of which break on sandbars further south from the jetty. Loads of surf schools about and the setting is lovely – think long runs of dunes topped with oats and a few enticing coastal villas.
Praia da Vieirinha
South of town, this beach break provides consistent waves suitable for all levels of surfers. With a sandy bottom, it’s pretty forgiving and ideal for beginners and intermediate riders when its smaller in the summer months. The best swells for Praia da Vieirinha come from the northwest and west directions, delivering playful and fun waves that tend to be better on the right than on the left. It works best at mid to high tide when the waves become more hollow and offer longer rides.
Porto Covo
Porto Covo is often a good choice in the middel of winter when the heaviest W or NW Atlantic swells push through to the Alentejo. It’s got decent shelter from rocks on the north side and needs more power to work than the other exposed beaches that run north.
Surf camps in Sines
We’ve made no secret of the fact that we think the Alentejo is a rising star on the surf scene of Portugal. One of the reasons we say that is the growing number of pretty excellent camps in the region. There’s still not the overload of the Algarve or Peniche, but what is here is very high quality. Most of the options are based just south of Sines in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
- Alentejo Surf Camp Beginner Surf Camp in Alentejo Region – This 7-day package with the Alentejo Surf Camp is one of the stand-out learner packages in the south of the country. You’ll be based out of a lovely townhouse in Vila Nova de Milfontes and get two – yes TWO! – full surf lessons per day, each over 90 minutes and fully guided. There’s yoga in the morning and evening and all breakfasts and packed lunches are included.
- Rapture Eco Surf Camp 8 Day Surf Camp for All Levels – Brought to you by the seasoned folk at Rapture, this is a camp with a slight difference. It’s an eco camp that’s all about reccnnecting with nature, which it manages fantastically with a location in the charming village of Odemira on the Vicentina Coast. There’s a dual focus on ecology and surf – three surf lessons and workshops in permaculutre, farming, and local crafts.
Where to stay when surfing in Sines?
The way we see it, there are two options. Either stay in Sines itself to be immersed in the history and the town buzz. Or stay outside so you’re closer to the surf spots. Both have thier pluses, but a car rental is probably wise if you’re not based right by the beaches (in fact, we’d say it’s wise anyway, but espeically so if you’re going to be waking up in the town each morning and need transport out).
Here are some hotel suggestions that tick both boxes…
- São Torpes by Campigir – A boutique camp ground with cabins and glamping options in the natural park right behind Torpes Beach. It’s less than 10 minutes’ drive to the surf at Porto Covo and within walking distance to Torpes beach break over the dunes. It’s a great pick for those who like sleeping under canvass.
- Casa do Médico de São Rafael – Our choice for those who want to stay in Sines town would be this lovely B&B on Vasco da Gama Beach. It’s close to the urban sands but also the center, has spacious suites and an onsite terrace bar with views of the Atlantic.
- Comporta Retreat – Okay, so it’s a nearly an hour’s drive north of Sines but we had to reccomend the retreat on Carvahal beach near Comporta. For families or groups who want an epic Alentejo wave on the doorstep and the privacy of thier own Portuguese pad, this one cannot be beaten. The pool is lusssh.
Step-by-step guide to planning your [yoast_kw] trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the [yoast_kw]…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: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): 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 Sines?
The best season for surfing in Sines is probably the fall, when good NW Atlantic sets come thorugh and keep the beaches all the way up to Comporta ticking over with good waves. The biggest swells will be midwinter, which is best for advanced surfers.
- Autumn (September to November) – As the summer crowds disperse and the weather begins to cool down, autumn emerges as one of the best seasons for surfing in Sines. This time of year offers consistent swells, with wave heights ranging from 3 to 6 feet the norm – great for the long beaches up near Comporta. The water is still pleasantly warm, around 18-20°C (64-68°F), so pack a 2/3 and booties.
- Winter (December to February) – If you’re seeking bigger and more challenging waves, winter in Sines is the time for you. With swells reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet, this season attracts experienced surfers looking for the tubes and hollow shoulders. The water temperature lowers to around 15-17°C (59-63°F), so a good quality 4/3 or 5/3 is a must.
- Spring (March to May) – As winter fades away, spring rejuvenates the crowds a little in Sines. This season brings consistent swells, ranging between 3 and 6 feet, perfect for surfers of all levels. The water temperature starts to rise again, reaching around 16-18°C (61-64°F), so you could ditch the thicker wetsuits.
- Summer (June to August) – Summertime in Sines welcomes warm weather and smaller but fun waves. Although the swells may not be as consistent as in other seasons, wave heights range from 2 to 4 feet, making it perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers looking to improve. The water temperatures rise to a pleasant 19-21°C (66-70°F), so something thin or even no wetsuit is a possibility.
Should I rent a car for surfing in Sines?
Unless you’re planning on joining a surf camp, which is a great option, we reccomend getting your own car for any trip to Sines and south Portugal as a whole. That’s because there are so many breaks and many of them are cut off from towns by the coastal reserves, so the only way to the creme-de-la-creme of spots is with your own wheels.
We literally (like August 2023) just booked a car in Portugal for something ridiculous like $15 a day, so it shouldn’t break the bank. Use RentalCars.com to search and reserve.
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!
