Surf Forecast  Fajã da Areia

Fajã da Areia surfspot characteristics

More about Fajã da Areia surfspot

A.k.a 'Chickens' this spot is perhaps the most frequently surfed on the island, due to its relatively low danger level compared with other breaks. A hollow bowl at the peak leads into whackable performance walls on small to medium N swells.

General: This wave once harnessed powerful Atlantic swells and channeled the raw energy into huge, rolling, righthand walls groomed by an equally massive point. Located on the southwest of the island, access to the lineup requires a well-timed jump off the rocks. Getting back in again can be an even bigger lottery as huge surges sweep up the rocks. Tales of surfers trapped in the lineup in building swells and fading light brought a reality check and demonstrated that this really is a break best left to those who've honed their big-wave skills. In 2003 a controversial breakwater was built along the point and its detrimental effects have had a huge impact on wave quality. According to local surfers the wave now only breaks properly in really big swells and only on the lowest part of the tide. A clear case of what many consider to be another classic lineup lost to shortsighted development. Tides: Low is typically best. Size: Head-high to several feet overhead. Wind: Northeast. Swell: NW Bottom: Rocks. Paddling: A lot of work when it gets big. Spot Rating: Was an excellent wave now needs a special day to shine again.

Intermediate to advanced when it is working properly.

Difficult entry and exit from rocks.

Autumn and Winter.

Crowd Factor: Small local crew. Local Vibe: Friendly and largely tolerant.

Beginner/improvers favorite so often crowded. Always bigger than it looks from shore.

Some issues.

Timing the jump off the rocks.