Best Time to RideSpot. Plan. Ride.
Loading spots and maps…

Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas

Ericeira, Lisbon District (Mafra), Portugal

Sports: Surfing, Tow foiling

Best time to go: January–March

Ribeira d'Ilhas is a small bay a few kilometres north of Ericeira, on the Atlantic coast north-west of Lisbon. The area is part of a designated World Surfing Reserve. North-west and west swells wrap onto a flat reef of rock and sand and peel as a long, fairly forgiving right-hand wave. Easterly and north-easterly winds blow offshore, and the bay offers some protection from the northerly winds that are common in summer.

The wave can be ridden on a wide range of swell sizes, which makes it one of the more consistent spots in the region and a common choice for contests. The bottom is rocky, so wear booties if you are unsure of the entry, and take care around the rocks at the edges of the bay at low tide. Paddling out is usually easy via the channel. Autumn to spring brings the best swell, with cooler water that calls for a full wetsuit. It is often crowded with surf schools and locals, so keep to the line-up order and avoid dropping in.

Month by month at Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas

  • January: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3 m, water 15°C, air 15°C (nights 10°C), 22 sunny days, 13 rainy days
  • February: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.9 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 10°C), 22 sunny days, 10 rainy days
  • March: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3 m, water 15°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 26 sunny days, 16 rainy days
  • April: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 2.2 m, water 16°C, air 19°C (nights 12°C), 27 sunny days, 11 rainy days
  • May: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 14°C), 30 sunny days, 8 rainy days
  • June: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 7 rainy days
  • July: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 18°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 31 sunny days, 3 rainy days
  • August: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 1.6 m, water 18°C, air 24°C (nights 18°C), 31 sunny days, 3 rainy days
  • September: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 1.8 m, water 17°C, air 23°C (nights 17°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
  • October: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.2 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 16°C), 23 sunny days, 12 rainy days
  • November: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.6 m, water 18°C, air 18°C (nights 13°C), 22 sunny days, 13 rainy days
  • December: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 16°C, air 16°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 12 rainy days

When is the best time to go surfing & tow foiling at Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas?

January–March, when the waves are biggest.

How warm is the water at Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas?

15°C to 18°C over the year: a 4/3 full suit in the warmest month, a 5/4 with boots in the coolest.

How windy is Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas?

About 111 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in January.

Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).

Spots near Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas

More: All spots in Portugal · Surfing in Portugal · Tow foiling in Portugal

Compare with: Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas vs Lagos – Meia Praia · Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas vs Peniche – Baleal · Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha vs Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas · Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas vs Nazaré – Praia do Norte

This month · All spots on Best Time to Ride