Most people picture the Algarve in July: busy beaches, hot sand and calm blue water. But many surfers who know Sagres well will tell you their favourite time is the opposite end of the year. From November to May the beaches empty out, the swells get more consistent, and the line-ups belong mostly to people who are there to surf.
If you are thinking about a surf trip to Sagres outside the summer, here is what to expect, month by month and practically: water temperature, wetsuits, daylight, weather and how to get the most out of every session.
Sagres sits on the south-western tip of mainland Portugal, at the corner where the west coast meets the south coast of the Algarve. That geography is the main reason it is such a good winter destination.
In winter the North Atlantic sends bigger and more frequent swells. On many coasts in Europe that means days when it's simply too big or too stormy to surf. In Sagres you have two coastlines facing in different directions within a short drive. When the west coast beaches such as Castelejo, Cordoama and Bordeira are too big or too windy, the south-facing beaches around Sagres, such as Tonel, Zavial, Beliche and Mareta, are often sheltered and much more manageable. When the swell is small, the west coast picks up whatever is around.
This is why a good surf school in Sagres can find a suitable wave for beginners and intermediates on most days of the winter, even when the forecast looks wild. It is also why local knowledge matters more in winter than in summer: knowing which beach to choose on which day makes all the difference.
The Atlantic around Sagres is cool all year, and winter is no exception, but it is milder than many people expect. Typical average sea temperatures, based on long-term data from sea temperature services such as seatemperature.info and weather2travel, are roughly:
| Month | Average sea temperature |
|---|---|
| November | around 18°C |
| December | around 17°C |
| January | around 16°C |
| February | around 15°C |
| March | around 15°C |
| April | around 16°C |
| May | around 16–17°C |
These are averages, so individual days can be a degree or two warmer or colder.
For most people a 4/3 mm full wetsuit is the right choice from December to April. In November and May many surfers are happy in a 4/3 or a good 3/2. If you feel the cold easily, booties are worth packing for January to March. If you take surf lessons, a wetsuit and board are usually included, so you only need to think about this if you plan to surf on your own.
Winter days are shorter, but probably longer than you think. Around mid-December, the shortest days of the year, the sun rises in Sagres at about 7:40 and sets at about 17:20 (Portugal time). By mid-February sunset is already after 18:00, and by mid-April, after the clocks go forward, it is after 20:00.
| Mid-month | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|
| November | 07:14 | 17:25 |
| December | 07:41 | 17:19 |
| January | 07:48 | 17:42 |
| February | 07:24 | 18:15 |
| March | 06:47 | 18:42 |
| April | 07:02 | 20:10 |
| May | 06:28 | 20:36 |
Times are calculated for Sagres and rounded to the minute.
In practice this means one longer session in the middle of the day, when it is warmest, or two shorter sessions if the tides line up. Afternoons end early in December and January, which leaves time for dinner, a stretch session or simply resting before the next day.
The south-west Algarve is one of the sunniest parts of Europe, and winter often brings crisp, bright days with daytime temperatures in the mid-teens Celsius. That is warm enough to sit outside at lunch in a sweater, and a very different winter from northern Europe.
It is not the tropics, though. Winter is also the season when Atlantic storm systems pass through, so expect some rainy and windy days, especially between November and February. Evenings and nights are cool, so bring a warm jacket, a hat for after the surf and layers. A towel poncho is very useful for changing on windy car parks.
The biggest difference between summer and winter in Sagres is the number of people. Beach tourism almost disappears outside the summer months, so the beaches are quiet and the line-ups are calmer. Learning is easier when you are not sharing whitewater with dozens of other beginners, and intermediates get more waves per session.
The people who come to surf in winter tend to be passionate about it. Many are on longer trips, and some combine surfing with remote work. You will find a smaller, more focused community in the water and around town.
Winter is usually also the best time for value. Flights and accommodation in the Algarve tend to be cheaper outside the summer season, and some surf camps offer simpler, budget-friendly winter packages.
Our surf camp is open from March until mid-December, and our Winter Surf Package is built for exactly this kind of trip: 7 nights in a simple dorm, 5 surf lessons with certified instructors, board and wetsuit, and daily transport to the best beach for the conditions. It's no frills, but it's great value for passionate surfers. Have a look at our guide to the best surf spots in Sagres, or book your winter surf trip.