Bicas
- Advanced riders
- Best for
- Advanced
- Skill Level
- Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Bicas is an exposed reef surf spot south of Lisbon, known for powerful, high-performance waves with both left and right options. The bottom is reef/rocky, backed by a sandy beach approach, and the break is described as a regional classic with very consistent wave days through the year. In terms of what to look for, the sources repeatedly highlight best conditions around low to mid tide (with a rising tide often preferred). For swell, favorable directions are described as west and northwest, while the winds most associated with good setups are east and south-east. The spot is particularly sensitive to Atlantic conditions, so day-to-day variability and exposure are part of the experience. Safety is a major theme: strong rip currents are reported, and the break area contains rocks, reef hazards, and sea urchins (plus coral/reef sharpness in hazard descriptions). On larger sets, the area can become especially dangerous near the rockier sections. There are also warnings about heavy shorebreak at high tide and the risk of falling rocks related to unstable cliff conditions. Access is by a long wooden staircase from the cliff top to the sand/entry area, with parking available near the stairs. The lineup can be moderately local and is often lighter on weekdays but busier on weekends, so planning around crowd levels and arrival times is recommended.
- Very consistent surf with both lefts and rights
- Powerful reef/rocky wave quality described as a regional classic
- Best setups described around low to mid tide and west/northwest swell
- Key hazards include rips, rocks, and urchins
- Very consistent surfing reputation (very consistent frequency reported).
- Powerful, high-performance reef break with both lefts and rights.
- Favorable wind/swell alignment is repeatedly described (east/southeast winds with west/northwest swell).
- Parking and car access described as available.
- Advanced, high-risk reef conditions (rips, rocks, and urchins).
- Exposure and power can be unforgiving, especially at higher tides and larger swells.
- Long, steep wooden staircase access; limited flexibility if cliff-access conditions change.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, SE, S
- Offshore directions
- SE, E
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — East to southeast winds are reported as favorable for surfing; an afternoon sea-breeze pattern can develop in summer but may be less helpful due to often-overpowering effects.
- Reliability
- Moderate; highly exposed to Atlantic weather systems.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusts reported.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs provide some protection from north and north-east winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach access with reef underneath at the break.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Big — Mixed sizing described; one source reports medium, another reports big; swell range is described as working from less than 1 m up to 4 m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach access via a long, steep wooden staircase from the cliff top.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Long steep staircase access.
Through the year
Weekends are often crowded with surfers from Lisbon; weekdays are significantly quieter.
Late October to March often sees Atlantic storms and higher rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed reef break with consistent left and right waves over a reef/rocky bottom and sand beach access. Best conditions are reported around low to mid tide with west/northwest swell and east/southeast winds.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, NW
- Optimal Tide
- All tides, Low, Mid — Sources emphasize low to mid tide as best; also described as working across tides with rising tide improving results.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Cliff-backed, Atlantic-exposed reef break; exposure is a key characteristic.
- Wind Effect
- East to southeast winds are described as favorable in the sources; the spot is exposed to Atlantic weather.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Rated as a regional classic.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Powerful reef/rocky surf.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Hollow shape reported (also described as mixed).
- Peel Speed
- Fast — Fast peeling reported.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Normal rides are commonly 50–150 m, with better days reaching longer rides (up to ~150–300 m described).
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–300 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical rides described as normal to long. Reported typical range includes 50–150 m, and exceptional/long days extending to ~150–300 m.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bicas in the full forecast view.
Bicas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- NNW338°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–2.8 m11s period
- Temperature
- 11–24 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bicas is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.7–2.8 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
- Rip currents
- Rocks
- Reef
- Urchins
- Coral
- Submerged rocks
- Falling rocks from unstable cliffs
- Heavy shorebreak at high tide
- Steep/long beach access staircase (risk during ascent/descent)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported (mainly June to September).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated year-round water-sports rescue service is reported for the wilder stretches.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Sesimbra or Setúbal. Portugal’s universal emergency number is 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Follow standard surfing etiquette and respect local surfers in the lineup.
- Access may be limited during periods of high cliff instability or landslide risk.
- Check the tide before heading down; the beach can disappear at very high tides.
- Best surf is described as on a rising tide from low to mid.
- Plan for the long wooden staircase: ensure you’re fit enough for the climb back up.
- Watch for strong rip currents near rockier sections, especially on larger swells.
- Be prepared for reef/urchin hazards—stay alert in and around the break area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Lisbon
- Nearest Town
- Sesimbra
- Parking
- Parking is reported as available near the cliff top/entrance to the wooden stairs.
- Access
- Accessible by car from the Lisbon area toward Sesimbra; follow the EN378 coastal road near the NATO base area to reach the Praia das Bicas parking.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Campimeco campsite is described as very close to the spot.
- Food & Drink
- Small snack bars are available near the parking area during the summer season.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available through local surf schools and shops in the nearby village area (as described by sources).
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services described as available in Lisbon or Almada metropolitan areas (about 30–40 minutes away).
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 Bicas?
The best overall months at Bicas are May, June, July, August, September, October, April. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Bicas?
Bicas works with E, SE, S winds. Offshore directions are SE, E.
What skill level is Bicas suitable for?
Bicas suits these riding levels: Surfing: Advanced.