Pontissima sits between Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos, two of Ericeira’s better-known spots. Its difficult access location (you need a long paddle or a long walk on the rocks to reach the spot) makes it feel quieter, even on days when the other line-ups are busy. The wave breaks to the right over a rocky reef.
It’s not a spot most people stumble onto by accident. Surfers who know it appreciate the space and the chance to catch waves without the crowds that gather at Ribeira or Coxos.
Description of Pontissima
The wave at Pontissima is a right-hander point break that runs over a reef. It’s fairly predictable, but responds to tide and swell direction: find it working best around mid-tide and with northwest swells. At low tide, the reef starts to surface and becomes a bit dangerous, and the higher the tide, the less and less it will work.
The swell doesn’t have to be huge for the wave to come alive, but bigger north-west swells will make it faster, bigger, and more hollow and challenging. It’s not a beginner-friendly wave: better for advanced intermediates to advanced surfers.
Most surfers approach from Ribeira d’Ilhas, paddling across the bay. The paddle can be physically demanding, especially if there’s a bit of wind, but this distance discourages a lot of people and helps keep the lineup not crowded at all.
Entry and exit, and hazards
Entry is straightforward if you paddle from Ribeira, but is a 500 or 600 meters paddle so be ready to warm-up your shoulders. If the tide allows you to do so, you can also walk from Riberira d’Ilhas direction north, enter the water and paddle around the rock known as “Pedra Preta” (Black Stone), and go back to the shore to walk the last section till the spot.
Crowds and localism
Pontissima is mostly surfed by locals and people who know the spot. The line-up is usually made up of advanced intermediate to advanced surfers who respect the reef, the other surfers, and know how to read the waves. Give the locals preference and you will be fine.
Access and services
Park at Ribeira d’Ilhas and paddle across to Pontissima like we described above. There’s no dedicated parking right at the reef.
For cafés, restaurants, surf shops, etc, Ribeira and Ericeira are your closest options.
