Right at the foot of the chapel of São Sebastião in Ericeira lies a tiny yet beautiful beach that is renowned for two main peaks and the possibility of having surf during the whole year.
This beach is a favorite amongst local surfers and bodyboarders, due to its powerful and hollow waves during almost every day of the year. The beach is part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, encompassing an area of 8 kilometers of coastline and offering some of the best surfing spots in Europe and in the whole world.
Praia de São Sebastião spot description
Situated on the northern side of the chapel of São Sebastião, this small beach is a renowned surf spot. The shoreline in this part of the city of Ericeira boasts multiple peaks in mainly two spots: São Sebastião and Matadouro.
It is a sandy rock bottom spot, what means that the waves are consistent and break always on the same spot. São Sebastião works best during low to mid tide, but not lowest tide of the day.
The main three peaks at São Sebastião are:
- Right handed next to the rock formation that is always exposed on the north side on the beach
- Left handed in the south part of the beach, just in front of the stairs that access to the spot
- Moita peak is in front of the parking, between São Sebastião and Praia do Norte, but it is mainly a local spot
This beach is an ideal spot for surfers of all ability levels, thanks to its variety of waves from small to large. It is common that sometimes surf schools choose this spot for advanced begginers to start cathing green waves or improve the surf level.
It is not an amazing wave, and sometimes it is too short, messy and gives too many close-outs to offer good fun. As well, be aware of the rocks that start to appear when the tide goes down: be careful with your toes!
Access to Praia de São Sebastião
With its close proximity to the town centre and its convenient parking lot, it is easy to access the area. Surfers can access the beach with ease by simply walking there from the center. As said before, access to São Sebastião can be done easily through the stairs that go down to the bay.
Services at the beach
Since it is a few minutes away from Ericeira city center, you have any services you need within minutes by foot or car. Around the chapel of São Sebastião you have a few bars, a surf shop and during some weekends there’s a market with local products, clothes stands, food and second hand objects.
