Lagos – Meia Praia
Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Surfing, Surf foiling, Parawing, SUP
Best time to go: April–October
Meia Praia is a four-kilometre sandy beach running east from Lagos marina along the Bay of Lagos in the western Algarve. The bay faces south and is sheltered from the larger Atlantic swells that hit the west coast. In summer the coast heats up and draws in a westerly to south-westerly sea breeze through the afternoon, which blows cross-shore along the beach. Less often an easterly Levante or a passing south-westerly front brings stronger wind and bigger waves.
The bottom is sand throughout, and on most days the water is small chop with gentle waves, which suits learners and freeriders alike. On calm days the bay can produce small swell for surfing and foil surfing. The beach is long enough to spread out, but the western end near the marina and the river mouth is busier, with boat traffic and currents at the mouth, so keep clear. In high summer the beach is crowded with swimmers, so use the launch areas used by local schools. Spring and autumn are quieter, with similar wind and warm water.
Month by month at Lagos – Meia Praia
- January: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 16°C, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 25 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- February: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 24 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- March: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.7 m, water 16°C, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 27 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- April: 4 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1.3 m, water 17°C, air 21°C (nights 13°C), 29 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- May: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1 m, water 17°C, air 24°C (nights 15°C), 31 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- June: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 1 m, water 18°C, air 27°C (nights 18°C), 30 sunny days, 3 rainy days
- July: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.8 m, water 18°C, air 30°C (nights 19°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- August: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, waves 0.9 m, water 18°C, air 30°C (nights 19°C), 31 sunny days, 1 rainy day
- September: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1 m, water 17°C, air 27°C (nights 18°C), 29 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- October: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 8 knots, waves 1.2 m, water 18°C, air 24°C (nights 17°C), 28 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- November: 3 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.4 m, water 18°C, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
- December: 1 windy day (15+ knots), average wind 7 knots, waves 1.5 m, water 17°C, air 18°C (nights 11°C), 26 sunny days, 10 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Lagos – Meia Praia?
April–October, when it is windy most often.
When is the best time to go surfing & surf foiling at Lagos – Meia Praia?
January–March, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Lagos – Meia Praia?
16°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 Lagos – Meia Praia?
About 56 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in July.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Lagos – Meia Praia
- Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha (169 km)
- Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas (219 km)
- Peniche – Baleal (258 km)
- Lagoa de Óbidos (262 km)
- Nazaré – Praia do Norte (280 km)
- Tarifa – Los Lances (296 km)
More: All spots in Portugal · Kitesurfing in Portugal · Wingfoiling in Portugal · Windsurfing in Portugal · Surfing in Portugal · Surf foiling in Portugal · Parawing in Portugal · SUP in Portugal
Compare with: Lagos – Meia Praia vs Tarifa – Los Lances · Costa da Caparica – Fonte da Telha vs Lagos – Meia Praia · Ericeira – Ribeira d'Ilhas vs Lagos – Meia Praia