Vila Nova de Milfontes

Best Surf Season (October - March)

Vila Nova de Milfontes is a west-facing stretch of Alentejo coastline that comes alive when the North Atlantic storm track shifts south in autumn and winter. From October through March, extratropical cyclones and frontal systems march across the open Atlantic, sending consistent swell into Portugal from the W, WNW and NW, exactly the directions that light up this coast. Average surf heights run between 6ft and 8ft (1.8m and 2.4m), with long, powerful periods of 11 to 13 seconds. A negative or neutral NAO pattern often allows low pressure to stall closer to Iberia, which increases both the frequency and size of surf. Ideal wind windows are also at their annual peak, reaching 49 percent in December and 47 percent in January, so the best swells frequently line up with workable conditions. This is the time to plan a trip for quality, size and consistency.