Praia Pequena is a beach just north of the bigger beach of Praia Grande, in the Sintra region, framed by rocky cliffs, that has great surf conditions and offers a more relaxed atmosphere and vibe in the water.
This spot is well known for its user-friendly nature. While it can still deliver quality surf on the right swell, Praia Pequena is generally less powerful than Praia Grande, making it a popular choice for beginners, longboarders, and surfers looking for a mellower session.
Description of Praia Pequena
Praia Pequena is a sandy beach break with soft, rolling peaks that tend to be forgiving compared to the heavier waves at Praia Grande or other beach breaks.
There’s a main peak breaking around the middle of the bay, and other peaks appear elsewhere when tides and water depth change.
The spot offers lefts and rights -the right is usually longer- offering nice rides with occasional longer sections when the sandbanks and conditions align.
It works best on small to medium swells up to 2 meters (in this case, great for advanced surfers looking for challenging conditions), as larger swells can overwhelm the beach and make it unsurfable.
Works best during low to mid tide, but the bigger the swell the longer the spot can keep waves working during tide changes.
Entry and exit, and hazards
Entry and exit are easy, with a sandy bottom that allows to walk and no reef or rocks to navigate.
The main hazards are occasional closeout sets on bigger days that you will have to navigate so the waves don’t land on your head.
Overall, it’s a low-risk spot compared to many others in the area, but awareness of surroundings remain important.
Crowds
Praia Pequena can get busy, especially on small or windy days when other spots aren’t working. Its accessibility and forgiving waves attract beginners, some locals, and longboarders, particularly during weekends and summer months.
Despite this, the atmosphere is generally friendly and relaxed.
Access and services
Access to Praia Pequena is easy, following an unpaved path that takes you down to the beach in less than 6 or 7 minutes. It can be slippery if you walk down with flip-flops.
There’s a parking available near the clifftop above the beach.
There are no facilities directly on the beach, but Praia Grande and Praia das Maçãs are just a short drive away, offering cafés, surf schools, cafés, and other services.
