Different surf guide

Sao Miguel

Sao Miguel

#saomiguelisland

The biggest island of the Azores. Lush & wild subtropical climate. Friendly & humble people. Simple life.

SAOMIG 🏄‍♀️ surf

Open to any swell direction. Low crowds. Can get big.  Mostly rocky points & slabs. Couple of beaches too.

Best waves: All year Best weather: Jul-Aug Water: 15-25°C 

You have to play with

Wind, rain, tide & swell can change quickly

...could be sunny 🌞

check out the other side

THE ☂ WEATHER

Where to surf?

Many peaks, lefts & rights

Needs south swell

Local's favorite

Very rocky but manageable

In the harbor

AVOID: RABO DE PEIXE

SANTA BARBARA

MONTE VERDE

PÓPULO

MOSTEIROS

Spot 🏄 check

SANTA BARBARA

Beautiful beach close to Ribeira Grande. Enter from the Tuká Tulá bar car park, or the Eco beach resort on  the west side.

Doubles in size at high tide!

Spot 🏄 check

SANTA BARBARA

On a small surf day, it's an ideal beach break for beginners & learning.  Aim for the mid-tide.

Sometimes, there is a point break working hidden under the cliff.

Spot 🏄 check

SANTA BARBARA

If the waves get bigger, surf in front of Tuká Tulá bar. Watch out for rip currents. Usually bigger than it looks.

Take a bigger board if overhead

Lessons from 30€

Waves for beginners?

Surf schools available

Works around low tide

Only when it's small

When too crowded on Pópulo

Secret tip: AGUA DE ALTO

SANTA BARBARA

MONTE VERDE

MILICIAS/PÓPULO

Feeling ADVENTUROUS?

Check from the Miradouro if it's working. Then it's about 1hr hike to the beach. Plan your return before high tide!

Hike to Santa Iria

Unless you find a really useful guide, don't fall into tour operator's trap.  The best sights are for free.

Save some 💸 cash

Go whale watching only if it's good weather and right season.

Transport

Rent a car or stay near St.Barbara. SATA air takes surfboards for free and offer inter-island combos.  The ferries operate only in the summer!

surf lessons may include transfers

Recommendations

Rent boards, good selection

MTB rentals & tours

High quality surf lessons

Eco-friendly whale watching

AZORES SURF CENTER

ST.BARBARA SURF SCHOOL

CC-Specialized

TERRA DO PICO

Check out: Queijadas, Lapas, Bolo levado, fresh diary & beef, local pineapples & tea

Eat 😋 this!

Volcanic Cozido is overrated 👎

Welcome to seafood heaven

Make a full crater circle on a bike or hiking.

sete cidades

Pineapple cocktails

Visit the plantations in Ponta Delgada

Flat day 🤙 fun

Don't ♨ miss

 the hot springs

A perfect treat after a rainy surfing day. Two in Furnas, one near Fogo.

#amazingazores

Go 📷explore!

There's much more

Thanks for reading

Now enjoy 🤙 Sao Miguel

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