Praia do Tonel is located right on the outskirts of the town of Sagres, on the west side of the ‘Cabo de Sagres’ cape, where the Sagres Fortress is located. In fact, you can see the fortress from the beach.
Tonel is one of the most reliable surf spots in Algarve because it picks-up swell very easily and there’s always some waves to save your day. However, this reliability comes with a price: crowds.
Description of Tonel beach
Tonel is a big west facing beach that spans north to south for almost 500 meters. It is totally surrounded by rocky cliffs with a few big rocks scattered around, creating a really photogenic and beautiful scenery.
Since it’s very open to the ocean, it gets easily battered by big winter storms and swells. So if there’s a big swell hammering the southwest coast of Portugal, Tonel will be one of the first spots to become unsurfable.
Even though Tonel is considered a beach break, it can hold waves up to 3 meters. Those big, hollow, and heavy waves makes it a favorite spot for advanced surfers looking for fast drops, quick moving shoulders and hollow sections that, with the right conditions, can offer some barrels. When conditions are big you will also find some local bodyboarders at the spot.
With smaller conditions Tonel is great for intermediate surfers wanting to practice quicker stand-ups on fast waves. Be aware of clean-up sets and big close-outs that might come from time to time and land over your head if you are distracted and not paddling out early enough or staying too much on the inside.
If you are a beginner, we would say that Tonel is not probably your best bet, but you will still might be able to find some decent waves perfect for your level if you visit the spot in summer months.
Mid to low tide offers the best conditions with more peaks appearing everywhere, and left waves often hold longer and have a nicer shoulder than right ones.
Best season
For the best quality waves at Tonel you should come to the spot in winter. Mid/late September to April are the best months to find waves here. Winter months, especially November, December, January and February, might bring storms and make surf impossible not only in Tonel but mostly nowhere in Portugal, so we would say that September and October, plus March to May are the months with the best quality waves. In those months intermediate surfers will also enjoy some fun waves when surf conditions are not very big.
Hazards
There’s a big rock formation in the middle of the bay that is really obvious, but the ones you should be aware of are some 1 to 3 meter big rocks hidden underwater and scattered all around that start to surface when the tide goes low. At the same time, those rocks, over months of tides and currents moving the sand around the beach, might get covered and uncovered. We recommend you better check where they are during low tide and be aware of them, or ask local surfers for orientation about where they are located for the days you will be surfing there. Since Tonel works best with mid to low tide, you should be aware of those rocks, especially around the end of your session or when finishing it, or when paddling back to the shore.
Services in Tonel and nearby
Tonel Beach has a small beach bar next to the access ramp, and sometimes a surf hut at the beach where you can get lessons, and rent boards and wetsuits. However, these businesses are closed during winter and low season. The town of Sagres is just next to the spot, and there you will find bars, supermarkets, pharmacies, and anything you need, really.
Access to the spot
You can reach Tonel by foot if you have your accommodation in Sagres town; it won’t take you more than 15 or 20 minutes walking from the center of the village.
If you come by car, you can park on the sides of the access street or nearby. It might be difficult to find a spot in summer or during holiday seasons, but will be totally or almost empty in winter.
Video: Surfing in Tonel
Here below, we leave you a video of Tonel holding some +2 meter waves, with some advanced surfers enjoying their day during a morning in January:
