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Nazaré big waves: Best time and places to watch
Want to see the enormous waves in Nazaré, Portugal? The best time to visit is between October and March, but even in winter, the famous giant waves don’t appear every day.
We’ve visited Nazaré several times, including during the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge in February 2022, when waves reportedly reached 12–15 metres. We’ve also experienced much quieter days, including a sunny January visit with waves of around 6 metres.
The difference between these visits taught us one important lesson: checking the forecast matters far more than simply choosing a winter date.
We’ll show you when and where to watch Nazaré’s biggest waves, how to check conditions before travelling, and why we’d recommend renting a car rather than joining a typical sightseeing tour if the waves are your priority.
And don’t worry if the waves aren’t putting on a show! Nazaré is a lovely fishing town that’s worth exploring in any season, and we’ll help you make the most of your visit either way.
When is the big wave season in Nazaré?
The Nazaré big wave season generally runs from October to March, but that doesn’t mean every day is a spectacle. Large swells sometimes arrive in September or April too, and the timing varies from year to year.
We once visited Nazaré in January and found bright sunshine and “only” 6 metres waves (around 20 feet), which is still enormous when you’re watching from the shore!
We also happened to visit during the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge on 10 February 2022, when the waves were reported to reach around 12–15 metres (40–50 feet). It was quite a different experience from our calmer visits, and a reminder that the conditions matter more than the month alone.
For giant waves to form, several factors need to come together, including the incoming swell, its direction and period, the underwater canyon, wind and tides. Winter storms can produce huge swells, but bigger waves don’t necessarily mean better surfing conditions. Strong offshore winds and rough seas can make them unsuitable even for professional big wave surfers.
The World Surf League (WSL) holds the Nazaré competition during a winter waiting period, which has run from 1 November to 31 March in previous seasons. The actual challenge day depends on suitable conditions, so check the dates and announcements for the season you’re visiting.
If you’re travelling to Portugal in winter, you can book your trip in advance and keep your Nazaré day flexible. Check updated wave forecasts and local reports closer to your visit, then choose your day accordingly. Even during big wave season, sightings are never guaranteed.
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How can you check the Nazaré big waves forecast?
If you’re visiting Nazaré specifically to witness the waves, we recommend checking the forecast before making the trip. Even during winter, the conditions can change quite a lot from one day to the next.
Here are some useful resources to check:
- Gigantes de Nazaré (Instagram account with regular updates)
- Nazaré Waves (forecast and webcams)
- Nazaré Qualifica (sea and wind conditions)
- Hydrographic Institute (sea and wind forecast)
What should you look for in the forecast?
There are a few things worth paying attention to:
- Swell height: The forecast swell height isn’t necessarily the height of the waves you’ll see breaking near the lighthouse.
- Swell period: This is the time between waves. Longer-period swells generally carry more energy and can produce more powerful waves.
- Wind conditions: Strong or unfavourable winds can make the waves messy and dangerous, even when the swell is enormous.
You don’t have to understand every technical detail to plan your visit. We recommend comparing the forecasts with the live webcams and checking local updates about the conditions.
When should you check the forecast?
If your travel dates are flexible, start checking a few days before your planned visit. Look again the evening before and on the morning you want to go. Keep in mind that a promising forecast doesn’t guarantee huge waves, and even if the ocean looks impressive, there might not be any surfers in the water.
That’s why we recommend keeping your visit flexible whenever possible. If you’re travelling from Lisbon, having a rental car makes it easier to choose your day based on the conditions rather than committing to a sightseeing tour weeks in advance.
And if you’re hoping to watch the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, keep an eye on announcements from the World Surf League. Contest dates depend on suitable conditions and are often confirmed at short notice.
Where can you watch the big waves in Nazaré?
There are several beaches in and near Nazaré, but the one with the enormous waves is Praia do Norte. It’s towards the right-hand side of the lighthouse. You can reach it from the higher level near Sitio da Nazaré, and the walk will take around 15 to 20 minutes (longer on competition days).
You can watch from the designated viewing areas around the São Miguel Arcanjo Fort, where the lighthouse is located, but sometimes this area is reserved for press only. In 2022, this area was open, and it was insane to see the surfers and the waves, but also all the equipment used to film and photograph it!
If you can’t be on top of the fort, you’ll find the best place on the elevated position on the cliff. This gives you a fantastic view of the waves and the surfers riding them, and it’s a relaxing spot with good views. Bring sunscreen because even in February, we got sunburned!
For wave watching, stay above the beach and respect any barriers or access restrictions.
Why are the Nazaré waves so big?
So what’s the secret behind these immense waves? They owe their enormous size to a combination of powerful Atlantic Ocean swells and the Nazaré Canyon. This is a deep underwater valley just off the coast, and it’s around a whopping 230 kilometres long, and at certain points has a depth of 5 kilometres! This canyon changes how waves travel towards Praia do Norte, concentrating their energy and helping them grow much higher.
Here’s how it works: waves travel faster over the canyon’s deep water than over the shallower seabed beside it. That difference bends the waves. This is a process known as refraction, and it can bring the energy together near the lighthouse. As the waves reach shallower water, they slow down and grow taller. Coastal currents against the incoming waves amplify them even further.
The incoming swell and local conditions still need to come together, which explains why the same coastline can look relatively quiet on one visit and completely wild on another! The below video explains it in detail!
We’ve visited the small museum inside São Miguel Arcanjo Fort a few times, and the model of the Nazaré Canyon really amazed us! We had no idea just how long and deep the underwater canyon was until we saw it displayed there. It gave us a whole new perspective for what’s happening beneath those monstrous waves!
You can also see the Surfer Wall, where boards used during memorable surfing sessions are displayed alongside information about the athletes. It’s well worth a look!
What are the wave records and surfing events?
Nazaré attracts surfers from around the world, and you might now wonder, what is the largest wave ever surfed so far. The answer is 26.21 meters (86 feet), ridden by German surfer Sebastian Steudtner. This happened on October 29, 2020, and it’s still the current world record.
Watch Sebastian Steudtner surf his world record!
Rodrigo Koxa (with a height of 24.38 meters/79.98 feet in 2017), Maya Gabeira (with a wave size of 22.4 meters/73.5 feet in 2020), and Garrett McNamara (a 23.77-meter/77.98 feet tall wave in 2011) have surfed waves the size any person would run a mile from. Maya Gabeira holds the current record of the largest wave surfed by a female. And not only are the surfers magical to see, butthe jet skis that tow the surfers are a show in itself!
Koxa surfed a wave in December 2025, with a preliminary measurement of 29.15 metres/95.63 feet. This one still needs to be officially validated by Guinness World Records, but that would mean a new record!
Michelle des Bouillons surfed a preliminary technical measurement of 24.99 metres/81.98 feet, which would mean a new women’s world record too! We have to wait a little longer to see if they set a new record!
The TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge
The main surfing competition is the TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, organised by the World Surf League. It uses a tow-in format, where jet skis pull surfers into waves that would be difficult to catch by paddling alone. Watching the drivers position the surfers and pick them up afterwards is quite a spectacle too!
The challenge takes place within a winter waiting period, with the actual day chosen according to the forecast. Check the World Surf League website for announcements rather than planning around a fixed annual date.
We happened to visit during the February 2022 challenge, but you don’t need to attend an organised event to see big wave surfing. Surfers also head out on other days when conditions are suitable.
Can you visit Nazaré on a day trip?
Absolutely! It’s actually a very popular day trip from Lisbon, and there are many tour guides that offer transportation and guided tours. Most tour guides don’t stay in Nazaré very long. You might walk up to the lighthouse and leave, or combine a visit with lunch in the centre. Most tours combine Nazaré with Óbidos, Batalha, or Fátima and this is perfect for most visitors.
Should you book a tour or rent a car?
If your main reason for visiting Nazaré is to see the colossal waves, we’d recommend renting a car rather than booking a typical sightseeing tour. Big wave conditions are unpredictable, and having your own transport means you can choose your visiting day based on the forecast and spend as long as you want watching the surfers.
We use DiscoverCars to compare rental car options in Portugal. It’s worth checking the available cars before your trip, especially if you’re planning to explore other places along the coast. The drive from Lisbon to Nazaré takes 1.5 hours, from Porto it takes 2 hours.
On contest days it will be busy, and you might have to walk pretty far to the cliff-top. You can keep following the signs to Farol da Nazaré, but at some point the local police might guide you to an area when you can park.
You can also take a bus to Nazaré, and the journey takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Flixbus has a service, or you can take the Rede Expressos from Sete Rios station in Lisbon. You can also take a bus from Porto Campanha Bus Station to Nazaré, but the journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours one way.
What if there is no big-wave surfing?
There is still a lot to do in the fishing town of Nazaré, and it’s the perfect destination for a day trip! You can visit the much calmer Praia da Nazaré and see dried fish and fishermen. There are plenty of restaurants along the coast which stunning views over the ocean.
You can take the Nazaré Funicular, which runs between the funicular station at the Nazaré beach (Praia) and the viewpoint at Sítio da Nazaré. From the higher level you have some amazing views over the Portuguese fishing town.
If you’re curious about what else to do, where to eat and where to stay, you can read our travel guide about Nazaré.
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How big are the waves in Nazaré today?
Wave heights change throughout the day, so check the Nazaré Waves forecasts and live webcams for current conditions. Make sure you’re looking at Praia do Norte, where the famous giant waves break, rather than the main town beach.
Can you see big waves of Nazaré in July?
July is outside the main big wave season, so don’t plan a summer visit around seeing the famous waves. There may still be surf, but the enormous winter swells are a different experience. There’s plenty to enjoy in Nazaré without them.
When can you see the big waves at Nazaré?
The big wave season in Nazaré is in winter, between October and March. January and February are usually the best months.
Can you swim in Nazaré?
You can swim at Praia da Nazaré, the main town beach, when conditions allow. Check the beach flags and follow lifeguard advice: a yellow flag means swimming is prohibited, while a red flag means you must stay out of the water. Praia do Norte is not suitable for swimming because of its powerful waves and dangerous currents. Don’t assume that smaller waves mean it’s safe.
Can beginners surf in Nazaré?
Yes, local surf schools offer beginner lessons when conditions are suitable. Book with a qualified instructor who can choose an appropriate location and assess the sea conditions. Surfing Nazaré’s giant waves is a specialist activity for highly experienced big wave surfers, not a beginner lesson!
Do surfers go out every day during big wave season?
Not necessarily. Large waves don’t automatically mean suitable surfing conditions, and wind and sea conditions can prevent surfers from going out. You might see an impressive ocean without anyone surfing it.
Can you guarantee big waves on a tour?
No, a tour cannot guarantee natural wave conditions. Check whether the itinerary includes Praia do Norte or the lighthouse area, and how much time you’ll have there. A sightseeing tour that stops in Nazaré isn’t necessarily a dedicated wave-watching trip.
Make Nazaré part of your Portugal trip
We’ve visited Nazaré several times, and it’s a place we’re always happy to return to. Watching the surfers is an incredible experience, but we also enjoy taking our time around town and stopping for something to eat with a sea view.
If you’re exploring by car, you could combine Nazaré with the monastery in Alcobaça or the medieval streets of Óbidos. Choose one extra stop so you have time to enjoy both places without rushing.
Browse our recommended day trips from Lisbon and choose an itinerary that gives you time at the sights you most want to see. Or, if you’d like help fitting Nazaré into a longer holiday, explore our Portugal travel planning services. We’ll help you put together a route that suits your interests and pace.
Other beautiful cities and sights north of Lisbon:
- 10 amazing tips for what to do in Óbidos Portugal
- 12 Things to do in Nazaré Portugal: Our favourite spots
- Watch the Nazaré big waves in Portugal; Things to know before you go!
- Buddha Eden; The largest, most beautiful oriental garden in Europe
- Discover the stunning Mafra National Palace
- Lisbon to Ericeira: A local guide to Portugal’s favourite surf town
- 10 Things to do in Caldas da Rainha
- 15 things to do in Tomar
- Visiting Fátima, Portugal: What you need to know
- Visit or stay at Aldeia da Mata Pequena in Portugal’s stunning countryside
- Stunning nature at Berlengas, Portugal + 8 things to do
- Celebrate the amazing Carnaval Torres Vedras in Portugal
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