Lugar de Baixo is a surf spot located on the south shore of the island. It’s easily accessible from the main road, and when you're heading west, you can see the waves as soon as you exit the tunnel and enter the village. While it has plenty of potential, the construction of a seawall has affected the overall surf quality, creating some challenges for surfers.
This spot works best with a west swell and can also handle swells from the south and northwest. It’s capable of handling swell sizes around 4 feet (1.2 meters). The waves break over boulders, creating a point break that mainly offers right-handers. The take-off is near a large rock on the outside, resulting in steep drops and fast, hollow sections, making it suitable for expert surfers. For the best experience, aim to surf around mid to high tide, as the conditions improve significantly during these times, although low tide can get dangerously shallow.
It can sometimes get crowded, especially on weekends, due to its proximity to Funchal. If you’re an experienced surfer looking to challenge yourself, Lugar de Baixo can still deliver some decent sessions, especially an hour before or after high tide. Just be aware of the strong backwash when the tide is up, which can complicate things a bit.