Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island)
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Anjos is a consistent, exposed right-hand reef break on Santa Maria Island. It’s described as working all around the year, with powerful, often hollow sections that reward experienced surfers. Wave quality is repeatedly highlighted as excellent/world-class in the spot notes. The spot is primarily associated with a northwest swell and south to southeast winds. Mid tide is noted as the best tide position, with rising and falling tides also mentioned as workable, depending on conditions. Sessions are typically built around the reef producing normal ride lengths in the ~50 to 150 m range. Safety is a key factor: sharp volcanic rocks and the reef itself are repeatedly listed hazards, alongside currents and rip currents. Entry/exit are described as tricky due to the rocky setup, so boots and appropriate exposure protection are strongly advised, and surfers should be prepared for challenging water movement. Crowding is reported as unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up, helping preserve ride time in better conditions. Overall, Anjos is positioned as an advanced, high-hazard reef option with dependable surf and a quiet feel.
- Exposed right-hand reef break with very consistent year-round surf.
- Powerful hollow waves with excellent/world-class quality notes.
- Generally low crowding even on good days.
- Highly consistent year-round surf for an exposed reef break.
- Powerful, often hollow right-hand waves with excellent wave quality.
- Generally low crowding even on good days.
- Rocky reef hazards (including sharp volcanic rocks).
- Currents/rip currents reported hazards.
- Moderate launch difficulty due to rocky entry and exit.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SE, SSE
- Offshore directions
- S, SE
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe south/southeast sector winds; one result labels the wind as mixed.
- Reliability
- Very consistent surf spot with year-round consistency (spot-level notes).
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Shadow Zones
- The bay is described as sheltered from southerly winds, which can help produce cleaner/offshore wave conditions.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky volcanic shoreline/reef.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf is described across sources.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry near the concrete pier or bay area.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky entry near the pier/bay; entry/exit can be tricky due to sharp volcanic rock.
Through the year
Generally low; rarely crowded even on good days.
Winter months (November to March) see more frequent rain and frontal activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed right-hand reef break with very consistent surf that works year-round. Sharp reef/rock setup can produce powerful hollow sections, favoring experienced surfers.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is best; rising and falling tides are also mentioned as workable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as an exposed reef break.
- Wind Effect
- Best surf is reported when northwest swell meets south to south-southeast (southeast) winds.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — World-class quality is referenced in the spot database notes.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Described as hollow and powerful; additionally labeled as world-class in wave quality notes.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typically normal length around 50–150 m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically normal length around 50 to 150 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) in the full forecast view.
Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 5–22 ktsGusts 33 kts
- Direction
- NNW338°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2822 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–2.9 m9s period
- Temperature
- 19–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 5–22 kts, peaking around 22 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 33 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.8–2.9 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Currents
- Rip currents
- Reef
- Coral
- Sharp volcanic rocks
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Spot-specific rescue is listed as not available; regionally, maritime rescue is managed by Portuguese Coast Guard via the local Captaincy in Vila do Porto.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Vila do Porto. Emergency number 112; urgent care via Centro de Saúde de Vila do Porto.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Local priority is referenced; no strong localism issues reported.
Rules of the spot
General surfing etiquette applies; respect local priority.
- Entry and exit can be tricky due to sharp volcanic rock—take extra care.
- Works best with northwest swells and south/southeast winds (winter conditions often provide the most consistent/powerful swell).
- The spot is unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Vila do Porto
- Nearest Town
- Vila do Porto
- Parking
- Parking available in the Anjos village area (short walk from parking).
- Access
- Accessible by car via the road to Anjos; a short walk to the water is required from the parking area.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Guesthouses and rentals available in Vila do Porto and surrounding villages.
- Food & Drink
- Small seasonal cafes in Anjos; more options in Vila do Porto.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops directly at the spot.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A historic religious structure associated with the early history of the island.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island)?
The best overall months at Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island)?
Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) works with S, SE, SSE winds. Offshore directions are S, SE.
What skill level is Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) suitable for?
Anjos (Vila do Porto, Santa Maria Island) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.