Located on the north side of Praia da Empa, right next to Backdoor, Reef is a wave that demands respect. Short, powerful, and breaking over a shallow reef platform, it’s not a spot to experiment if you’re new to reef breaks and it’s only for advanced and pro surfers.
Description of Reef
Reef is a fast right-hander breaking over shallow reef. The reef (where the spot gets the name from) breaks over a rock platform that starts on land and stretches gradually into the water. This rock platform gets deeper as it moves offshore, which allows the wave to form properly across different tides and always following the same physics.
The take-off is steep and the wave moves quickly, so timing is crucial. When conditions are good, Reef can throw clean, hollow barrels, but the barrel ends where the reef rises near the surface. Misjudge it or miscalculate it, and you’ll easily ding your board or worse.
It works best with a north-west swell. Mid and mid-to-high tide is the best time to surf it, as with lower tides the bottom gets too exposed. With bigger swells Reef becomes an intense and physically demanding wave, which is partly why it’s a favourite with bodyboarders as well as experienced surfers.
Entry and exit, and hazards
The best place to arrive to the peak is from Praia da Empa beach, like if you wanted to arrive to Backdoor but paddling around it. Is a long paddle but is safer and easier than walking on the slippery reef that might also be full of sea urchins.
Crowds and localism
Reef usually has smaller line-ups than the neighbouring spot Backdoor, and it attracts a consistent group of local advanced surfers and bodyboarders. In general the crowd is made up mostly of people familiar with the wave. If you are new to the spot keep a low profile and give the locals priority or they may get a bit grumpy.
Access and services
The main access to Backdoor, Pedra Branca and Reef is the same and is via the road in front of the camping of Ericeira. In 2024 they paved this road (used to be all unpaved) built a parking, and limited the access, so now you have to park a few meters up on the habilitated car park and walk down to the spot. You can also park on the big parking next to the entrance of the camping.
There are wooden stairs that lead you down to the beach, but sometimes they are damaged from winter storms. After the stairs, you will have to climb down a few rocks in the last section before you can step on the sand, and walk through Praia da Empa beach to enter the water.
There are no facilities directly at the spot, the closest cafés and surf shops are a few meters away near the main road. For food, drinks, or supermarkets, just head into Ericeira, which is just a short 1 minute drive away. Public transport can get you close, but if you’re carrying surfboards and gear, a car makes things much easier.
