Bica
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Swell, Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bica is an exposed right-hand reef/point break where surf is often described as fairly consistent, but summer can trend toward flatter conditions. When it’s on, it’s known for long, powerful rides that can link sections on a good day. The spot is rocky and high-stakes: sharp rocks, submerged reef, and sea urchins are repeatedly flagged hazards. Multiple sources emphasize extra care with entry and exit at low tide, and currents can strengthen near the point during larger swells. Crowds and moderate localism are also noted, so keep priority etiquette strict and be prepared for weekend busyness. For swell, southwest to west-southwest swell directions are described as optimal. Wind is highly direction-sensitive: North and Northeast are reported to give the cleanest/offshore-leaning wave conditions, and northerly sea-breeze patterns are often seen in summer afternoons (more for cooling than consistently high-performance wind at the surf spot itself). A typical wind range is cited around 10–20 knots where conditions align. Seasonally, April is singled out as a best month by spot-focused data, and broader seasonal reporting places the most consistent swell/offshore-wind conditions in autumn and winter (plus shoulder months). Water is cool year-round (winter low-to-mid teens °C, rising toward ~20°C in late summer), so a spring wetsuit and boots are commonly recommended; one dataset also notes neoprene gloves as an option.
- Long right-hand reef/point rides (often cited around 150–300 m, with very good days longer).
- Cool water year-round with spring wetsuit and boots recommended.
- Best conditions reported with SW (or W/WSW) swell plus North/NE wind.
- Low tide frequently preferred, but hazards increase—rocks/urchins require careful footing.
- Right-hand reef/point break known for long, powerful rides.
- Often described as consistent, with summer sometimes too small to be dependable.
- Good tourism/access infrastructure in the Lisbon/Cascais area.
- Rocks/reef and sea urchins make entry/exit hazardous, especially at low tide.
- Strong currents can occur near the point on bigger swells.
- Spot can be crowded on weekends; localism is reported as moderate.
- Wind direction sensitivity: conditions depend strongly on N/NE offshore flow.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Northerly sea-breeze influence (Nortada) reported in summer afternoons, though primarily for cooling rather than maximum wind-sport performance at this exact spot.
- Reliability
- Highly sensitive to wind direction; North and Northeast provide the cleanest offshore conditions for waves.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gusts reported as light.
- Best Months
- April, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, May
- Shadow Zones
- Cliffs and buildings of São Pedro do Estoril can create wind shadows near the shore.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell, Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Rocks — Rocky/reef composition reported.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf reported; works at various swell sizes depending on conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Rocky entry from the point or short paddle from an adjacent sandy beach (São Pedro do Estoril area).
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Moderate launch difficulty due to rocky entry.
Through the year
Peak crowds on weekends and during summer holidays; winter weekdays are generally quieter but still popular.
November through March typically sees more frequent rain and Atlantic storm activity.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed right-hand reef/point break known for long, powerful rides over a rocky reef.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- SW, W, WSW
- Optimal Tide
- Low, All tides — Low tide is often preferred; some sources report all-tides can work, with rising/falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef/point location described as exposed.
- Wind Effect
- Best conditions reported when north to northeast wind combines with a southwest/west-southwest swell; wind direction sensitivity affects wave quality and cleanliness.
- Bigger Swell
- Not specifically quantified, but strong currents can occur near the point during larger swells; long powerful connections are reported on good days.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality described as good to excellent/‘regional classic’.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as fast, powerful rides.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Sources conflict on exact shape: one reports mixed; another describes peeling.
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Reported as fast peeling on classic days.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long rides; classic days can connect multiple sections.
- Typical Ride Length
- 150–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical long rides commonly cited around 150 to 300 m; very good days can reach 300 to 500 m depending on swell and shape.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bica in the full forecast view.
Bica wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–10 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNW344°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2410 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–2.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 12–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bica is forecast for daytime winds of 3–10 kts, peaking around 10 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.6–2.0 m with a period of about 11s. 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
- Reef
- Coral
- Sea urchins
- Strong currents near the point during larger swells
- Crowds
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguard presence reported; Portugal’s official bathing season support is typically June to September in this region.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — Reported as no (spot-level). Regional baseline indicates limited rescue availability and emergency number 112.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Cascais or Estoril; dial 112 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Localism is reported as moderate.
Rules of the spot
Standard surfing etiquette applies. This is described as a high-performance spot where priority is strictly observed.
- Designated swimming zones in summer at the adjacent beach must be respected.
- Best around low tide is reported.
- Entry/exit can be extremely risky over rocks at low tide.
- Watch for sea urchins in crevices.
- Spot can get very crowded on weekends due to proximity to Lisbon.
- Urchins and sharp rocks are reported throughout the riding area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lisbon
- Nearest Town
- São Pedro do Estoril
- Parking
- Parking is available along the Marginal and in designated lots near São Pedro do Estoril beach, though it fills quickly.
- Public Transport
- Access via the Cascais train line (get off at São Pedro do Estoril) and the Marginal road (N6).
- Access
- In the city with instant access from the shore.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous hotels, guesthouses, and hostels are available in the Estoril and Cascais areas.
- Food & Drink
- Multiple beach bars and restaurants are located directly on the promenade of São Pedro do Estoril.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at the surf schools located on the adjacent beach; gear rentals also referenced via local surf school listings.
- Gear Repair
- Limited surfboard repair available through local schools; larger shops are in Cascais.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bica?
The best overall months at Bica are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, January, February, March, December. The best wind months are April, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, May.
Which wind directions work at Bica?
Bica works with N, NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NE.
What skill level is Bica suitable for?
Bica suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.