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And we're pretty stoked to say that the more time we spend here, the more we learn about the seasons - particularly the best time for surf. And the more we learn, the more we can share with you good people.  Read on to find out what is is about Portugal in the autumn that our team loves so much...

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Lovely, glassy, wavey. Autumn, we salute you.


Why does our team love autumn so much?

Adam

After a long hot, dry summer in the Algarve the respite of autumn is not just welcomed but very much needed. The land slowly becomes less scorched, the winds die down and switch to a more favourable direction.

The roads, the supermarkets, the beaches and the line ups become a little more manageable and we find the time to see some familiar faces. As the surf size increases, as it starts to line up and as it becomes more powerful the first long range swell is a gentle reminder to work on surf fitness and breathwork. Things just become a little more serious.

As someone who surfs it is the autumn season that excites me the most. Don’t get me wrong, I love the warmth of the summer sun and the longer days, but nothing beats waking up to dew on the grass knowing the winds are light and offshore, the crowds have thinned and all those quiet, lesser-known corners are beginning to have waves. Plus, not having to book a table at a restaurant is a bonus!


Joel

September still has that summer feeling, and some of the warmest sea temperatures with deeper, longer-period swells marking the end of summer slop.

It’s my favourite month, as its the best of both worlds.

AND I can get a parking space in Burgau.


Rach

There is such a magic about Portugal at this time of year, and I have fallen so completely in love with this wild, beautiful part of the world as it starts to get into autumn.

Summer is great an’ all, but it’s intense. It’s busy, it’s Very Hot, and it’s pretty, well, windy. So the surf can be a bit messy. 

Then September rolls around and it’s like a switch is flipped. The wind drops, the waves clean up, the swell comes back and the waves get really, really good. And we’re not just talking about macking west coast, we’re also talking lovely little longboard peelers on the south, and spots starting to work that are too flat. AND the water is about as warm as it gets. 

In the early days of us running the Soul & Surf Pop-Ups here, we always picked weeks that were outside of the main summer season, and the autumn pop-ups were always the ones that felt the most special.


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Ready to do it like the locals and embrace the autumn?


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Why Surf in Portugal in Autumn?

  • The crowds start to thin.  From September, the water is less busy, more peaceful and a little easier to navigate!
  • The weather is still good - sunny, decent temperatures and usually without much rain. Obviously the Atlantic Ocean is never as balmy as the tropics, but the water is at its warmest in September and October (around 20 degrees!) Even in November, it is still mild.
  • There are so many beautiful wild hiking and running trails near us at Soul & Surf.  As the summer heat dissipates, we love to go for long runs and find a quiet spot to meditate and practise yoga.
  • It’s a time of changing swells; after the smaller waves of the summer months and before the biggest and stormiest of winter.  Autumn provides consistent waves, making it perfect for intermediate and experienced surfers. (But don't worry if you are just starting out, there are so many options for learners at all times of the year.)
  • Surf Portugal at this time of year to make the most of the south coast. These bigger swells wrap around Cape St Vincent, lighting up the south coast points and reefs that don’t often work in the summer.  These beautiful spots can offer smaller, mellower conditions, perfect for allowing us to get our longboards out and head to the nose!
  • The winds of the summer start to calm down, and the waves are glassy and clean.  Offshore sunset session anyone?
  • The Rip Curl Pro surf comp is on in October, further up the coast in Peniche.  This is held at Supertubos (one of our favourite waves!*) and is a brilliant event to go and watch.  Peniche is only a four hour drive from us and car hire is cheap, so we love popping up there when we can.
  • September is the beginning of wine harvests across the country, and many vineyards allow you to participate in the harvesting process.  Portuguese wine is delicious, and locally produced wines are still very cheap.

*when it is small. Big Supertubos is terrifying.


Sounds good, huh? Come and see for yourself why we rave about this time of year so much - head on over to our main Soul & Surf Portugal pages to find out more

Ready to book? Do it here>>


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Surf lessons, under a nice cliff, in lovely little waves.


Don't come here in autumn, it's too good.