Just a couple kilometers south from Sines you find the spot of São Torpes, a beach break that can offer fun waves even in summer months.
Description of São Torpes
Is mostly a totally exposed spot, only protected a bit on the very north corner by the small breakwater of the old cooling system of the power station of Sines. Geographically it is also a bit protected from big swells by the peninsula and big freight port of Sines, whose walls and breakwaters go far into the ocean and pararel to the coast line. Sometimes big cargo ships enter or leave the port.
Apart from this geographical conditions and human made constructions, it is mostly a exposed beach break, that can have surf all year around. Since there are no cliffs or mountains around, expect always a bit of wind. Best wind is east or northeast, and best swell is west or southwest. São Torpes can give left an right waves if the swell come west or southwest, and good lefts with nortwest swells. Best tide is mid tide.
Main peaks at São Torpes
Since it is a exposed beach break, peaks can appear everywhere, but the most known ones are the following:
- Next to the breakwater of the power station there’s a wave breaking right and left. This is almost always a good option since this corner almost always has some waves for all levels. In summer is common that there are sufers and bodyboarders at this spot and also begginers with foamies.
- São Torpes is the main bay, with many peaks appearing everywhere and changing depending on how the sandbanks move.
- Picoloco is another popular peak forming a bit south of the bay of São Torpes, where the beach combines with cliffs and rocks creating small little coves separated from the main beach.
Video: surf at São Torpes
Check out this video about the peak of Pico Loco, at São Torpes:
Surroundings
You have some beach bars every few meters along the beach. The town of Sines is not far (north) and also the town of Porto Covo (south) is just a few minutes driving. Around the area and within a few minutes driving there are many campings if you want to spend the night in the area.
Access to the spot
You can park along the road that goes paralel to the beach. Also depending on where you want to surf you may have to take a divertion from the main road and access one of the parkings that are in front of the cliff on the south part of São Torpes. In summer months it can be difficult to find a spot to park, since São Torpes is also a very well known vacational place, so be sure to arrive early.
