Burgau is a town with a 400-meter-wide bay of the same name surrounded by cliffs and located 15 kilometers straight-line distance from Sagres and from Lagos. It takes no more than 30 minutes to drive from Sagres to Burgau, a distance of 25 kilometers, and 15 minutes from Lagos.
Since Burgau faces southeast and is hidden behind the Cape of São Vicente, it needs powerful northwest swells, moderate west swells, or a consistent southwest swell to come alive. Burgau is a good option in the winter, when the west coast of the Algarve is completely unsurfable due to massive swells or storms. It is also a good option if other famous west-facing spots near Sagres (Beliche, Tonel, etc.) are too crowded.
However, Burgau only works during the winter months. If you go there in the summer, don’t expect to see a single wave; the bay will be flat, full of beachgoers, sun umbrellas and tourists, but no waves or surfers.
Features of Burgau
Burgau has mostly a sandy bottom, with just some rocks on the west side of the bay.
When it works, Burgau’s most consistent and highest quality wave is a point break on the west side of the bay, next to the rock formation, that produces predictable and fun right-handers that start breaking over a rocky/sandy bottom. This wave comes alive and has the best quality with medium to big west and northwest swells. In this case, the channel to reach the peak will be a few meters before, more in the middle of the bay.
In winter, during those few occasions where Burgau receives southwest swells, Burgau can also behave like any other beach break, with waves appearing anywhere in the middle of the bay.
Also, with south and southwest swells, there’s a point break appearing in the east side of the bay, right in front of the access ramp that takes you down to the beach.
In any case, Burgau is a perfect spot for beginner and intermediate surfers, and it works best with mid-tide.
Advanced surfers might only be interested in Burgau if there’s a heavy swell, bringing powerful waves into the point break at the south of the bay.
Localism and crowds
Usually Burgau is less crowded than other nearby spots, even if conditions are right and the spot is working.
About localism, like any other surf spot Burgau has its own crew of local surfers from the village and nearby towns, but the vibe is chill compared to other more competitive spots.
Just respect the surf ettiquette and be chill and you will be fine.
Services in the area
The town of Burgau is not bigger than 20 streets, with a nice old town, some small bars and cafeterias around and a nice and chill vibe. In winter it enters “hibernation mode” and you will find a very quiet and shut down town.
If you are allergic to tourists and crowds, probably Burgau is a place for you (even in high season).
You can park your car anywhere in town (there are some nearby parkings right in front of the water) and walk down to the bay, max you will be walking for 10 minutes even if you park far away near the main road.
