Surf: A hollow and inconsistent left breaks off the jetty in the heart of the major tourist resort of Portimão. It’s renowned for its tubes but gets very busy. Needs a big swell to work. Environment: Pay to park. Surf: General: This long sandy beach fronts the town of Portimao and is famous for the barreling left that peels close to the western breakwater by the rivermouth. A popular spot with a frothing bodyboard crew and tight-knit local surfers. The waves are wedgy, hollow and break regularly in the winter. Further west, peppered along the beach, there are a number of peaks with fun lefts and rights - better on lower tides. Tides: Works on all tides but best low to near high. Size: Waist high to overhead. Wind: N, NE Swell: NW, W, SW Bottom: Sand Paddling: Easy when small. Spot Rating: Large, southerly facing beach renowned for the wedgy, hollow left that peels off the breakwater, but that also has as a number of fun peaks to the west. Access: Some parking bays by breakwater on Ave. Rio Arade. Crowds: Crowd Factor: The breakwater left is usually busy whenever it breaks. The beach has plenty of space to spread out. Local Vibe: Competitive when good. Environment: OK, can be polluted after rain. Hazards: Crowds by the jetty. Season: Best December to February.