Best Surf Spots in Ericeira for Beginners (2026 Guide)

Ericeira has some incredible surf spots, but not all of them are beginner-friendly.

Some spots are perfect for learning, with softer waves and sandy bottoms. Others are much more advanced, with reef breaks and conditions that can get intimidating pretty quickly.

And when you first arrive, it’s not always obvious which is which.

So in this guide, I’ll walk you through the surf spots in Ericeira that actually make sense for beginners, where to go, what to expect, and how to avoid ending up somewhere you shouldn’t be.

Foz do Lizandro

If you’re not sure where to start, start here.

Foz do Lizandro is the most beginner-friendly surf spot in Ericeira, and it’s where a lot of people end up for their first few sessions.

It’s a wide, sandy beach with softer, more forgiving waves, which makes it much easier to learn compared to some of the reef breaks further up the coast.

It’s also where a lot of local surf schools run their lessons, so the whole setup is geared towards beginners.

You can rent boards here, there’s plenty of space in the water, and it’s a good spot to practice without feeling like you’re getting in the way.

If you’re renting a board and heading out on your own, this is the safest and easiest place to start.

Praia do Sul

If you want somewhere you can actually walk to and surf without overthinking it, this is the spot.

Praia do Sul is the closest beginner-friendly surf spot to town, which makes it one of the easiest places to base your sessions from.

It’s within walking distance of a number of popular surf hostels like Hostel & Surfcamp 55 and WOT Ericeira Surf Social, so you can head down with a board and get in the water without needing to organise transport.

The waves here are usually small, which makes it a good place to practice and build confidence, especially if you’re going out on your own.

It’s not always as consistent as some of the more exposed spots, but when it’s working, it’s one of the easiest and most convenient places to surf in Ericeira.

If you want something simple and accessible, this is a great option.

Praia de São Julião

If you want something more open and consistent, this is a good option.

Praia de São Julião is a more exposed beach, which means it tends to pick up more swell than some of the other beginner spots around Ericeira. That usually translates to more consistent waves, which is helpful when you’re still figuring things out.

It’s still a sandy-bottom, so it’s forgiving, but the waves can have a bit more push compared to somewhere like Foz do Lizandro.

You’ll often find surf schools here on days when other spots aren’t working as well, simply because it’s more reliable.

If you’ve had a couple of sessions already and want something more consistent without stepping into anything too heavy, this is a great option.

Ribeira d’Ilhas

Ribeira d’Ilhas is one of the most well-known surf spots in Ericeira, and you’ll hear it come up a lot.

It’s not a beginner spot in the same way as the others on this list. It’s a reef break, which means the waves are more structured and consistent, but also less forgiving if you’re completely new.

That said, it’s often used by surf schools once you’ve got the basics down. The wave breaks in a long, predictable way, which makes it a great place to start working on things like turning and reading the wave properly.

Surf schools like Wave Finder and Ericeira Waves are both based here, so if you do decide you want a bit of guidance, this is a good place to take a lesson.

If you’ve already had a few sessions and want to see what a more “proper” wave feels like, this is a good place to step things up.

How to Choose the Right Beginner Surf Spot in Ericeira

If you’re going on your own, stick to sandy-bottom spots like Foz do Lizandro or Praia do Sul, and take it step by step. As you get more comfortable, you can start exploring slightly more exposed spots like Praia de São Julião, before working your way up to somewhere like Ribeira d’Ilhas.

If you’re planning to surf most days, it’s also worth looking at surf camps. You’ll get more time in the water, more structure, and you won’t have to think about transport or conditions. You can check out my guide to the best surf camps in Ericeira for beginners for options.

And if you’re still figuring everything out, it’s worth reading my beginner’s guide to surfing in Ericeira as well. That’ll give you a full breakdown of what to expect, when to go, and how to approach learning once you’re there.

The main thing is just getting in the water and building from there.