Praia da Vitoria surf guide
Surf: Assorted reef waves easily accessed from the beach inside the harbour at Praia da Vitoria. Dereitas and Esquerda do Chines (Chinese’s Left) break off either side of an exposed rock and the left is a perfect hotdog wave in smaller N swells at high tide. Vietnam is the main left breaking wider than Chines. Fun, rippable walls plus the odd cover-up section and good length of ride on the lefts. Mid tide, big NW, N and NE swells and any W winds will be the best conditions. Another left, Baixa breaks further outside Vietnam a couple of times a year.
Directions: Park in lot in front of break or down at the southern beach near the port.
Environment: Probably the busiest spot on the island, but the shifting take-off zone can spread the crowd a bit. Good learning spot as the reef is not too shallow or sharp and currents are minimal. Some stormwater and residential pollution in the harbour.