Surfing in Nazaré, Portugal
Nazaré, PortugalNazaré
Nazaré, a charming fishing village on the West coast of Portugal, has gained global fame as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe, particularly for big wave surfing. Its unique underwater geography, including a deep-sea trench, creates monstrous waves that can reach up to 30 meters high, attracting professional surfers from around the world. The town made headlines in 2011 when Garrett McNamara set a world record by surfing a giant wave, and again in 2017 when Rodrigo Koxa broke this record, conquering a 24.38-meter wave. These feats have placed Nazaré firmly on the map as a mecca for extreme surfing.
Unlike traditional surfing, big wave surfing in Nazaré requires unique skills and years of experience. Surfers are towed into these massive waves using jet skis due to the sheer size and power of the waves, which are too risky to paddle into. The town's Praia do Norte is renowned for its challenging conditions, suitable mainly for professional surfers or locals familiar with the treacherous waters. However, for those not ready to face Nazaré's formidable waves, the West coast of Portugal offers several other excellent surfing locations within close proximity.