Furnas
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Mixed, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Furnas is a surf spot in the Ericeira/Sintra coastal area where conditions can shift notably between sheltered, gentler beach-bay behavior and heavier, rockier reef-style break. Multiple descriptions emphasize that wave quality and safety depend strongly on swell size/direction and on tide positioning over/around rocks. For smaller, sheltered days, it’s described as having a forgiving sand bottom and relatively easy access/launch setup, making it more approachable for beginners within the bay’s calmer inside area. On those days, you may find gentler right-hand waves suitable for learning—especially when you stay inside the bay rather than working more exposed zones. When the swell builds (particularly during winter), Furnas can deliver longer right-hand waves—sometimes with rolling walls that can hold for extended rides. However, the spot can also turn into a heavy, powerful right-hand reef break with hollow or intense surf characteristics, bringing sharp rock hazards and potentially strong rip currents during larger swell periods. Because rocks are repeatedly reported close to the beach and currents can become significant, careful pre-entry inspection and appropriate timing (tide choice and swell setup) are critical. Rescue/lifeguard support is reported as none at the spot level, so plan as if you may need to self-manage in changing conditions.
- Sheltered inside-bay options for smaller days
- Long right-hand waves possible on bigger swell
- Winter and autumn are highlighted for the most rewarding surfing windows
- Rock hazards close to shore require careful water entry planning
- Sheltered feel in calmer, smaller conditions (soft entry on sand/bay days)
- Can produce long right-hand rides on bigger swells
- Winter is highlighted as a best time window for surfing and training/lessons
- Rocks/cliffs provide some protection from strong north winds, creating better odds than the open coast
- Rocks close to shore (big rocks and/or sharp reef shelf) create high hazard risk
- Wave reliability is described as unreliable/exposed depending on conditions
- Can become powerful with strong currents on larger swells
- No rescue/lifeguard support reported at the spot level
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, SE, NW
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Sources describe mixed wind characteristics; regional pattern includes Atlantic northerly flow with gradient/sea-breeze influence.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Steady — One source reports steady gust behavior; another mentions moderate gustiness (conflicting at the details level).
- Best Months
- January, February, March, December
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs can create wind shadows near the shore.
- Thermal Window
- Other · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: N, NNE, NNW, NW, WNW · Afternoon heating can reinforce wind locally; activity typically starts around 1:00 PM and peaks between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Beach composition is described as sand; another description notes mixed composition with reef/rockier elements.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Wave size descriptions range from small (sheltered) to medium on more exposed/reef conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Beach access via wooden walkways and an unpaved parking area; some descriptions also note narrow rocky access or paddle-out possibilities.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Some sources describe easy access via walkways; another description labels launch as difficult for the reef scenario.
Through the year
Quieter than main Ericeira breaks but can get busy when conditions are ideal.
Late October through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Furnas is described as a sheltered right-hand wave option at small-to-moderate conditions, but it can also become a heavy, powerful right reef break on the right swell/tide. Rock hazards are a recurring concern.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- NW
- Optimal Tide
- Low, Mid — Some sources mention better performance around lower tide for long rights, while a reef-break description favors mid to higher tide to cover rocks.
- Shelter
- Semi-sheltered — Sheltered by cliffs/bay on calmer days, but can still be exposed/heavy depending on swell.
- Wind Effect
- Wind and tide strongly influence how/where waves break; on the more reef-like scenario, the spot can require a solid swell to start breaking properly.
- Bigger Swell
- Works best when bigger swells arrive; long right-hand rides are more likely on those days, while reef conditions can become powerful and hazardous.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Quality is described as good, but surf-forecast notes unreliable waves; best results are tied to swell direction and tide.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Descriptions range from moderate (sheltered, beginner-friendly) to powerful (heavy reef barrels).
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can be mixed/sheltered on sand-to-bay days, but reef conditions may form hollow barrels.
- Peel Speed
- Slow — One description emphasizes slow peel/rolling walls on long rights; another scenario describes fast/intense peel on reef conditions.
- Ride Length
- Long — Long right-hand waves are reported on larger swells; one reef-break description quotes shorter intense rides.
- Ride Length Details
- Can produce long rolling right-hand walls on bigger swells; heavy reef conditions can be short, fast, and intense.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Furnas in the full forecast view.
Furnas wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- N350°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2411 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–3.0 m11s period
- Temperature
- 11–22 °C
Over the next 7 days, Furnas is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.9–3.0 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
- Big rocks close to the beach
- Sharp rocks and shallow reef shelf
- Strong rip currents during large swells
- Powerful waves
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard is reported; rescue availability is described as no at the spot level, while the regional context notes limited rescue monitoring outside the official bathing season.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates rescue availability is limited; one provider additionally states rescue availability as no for the reef-break scenario.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Ericeira or Sintra. Use 112 for emergencies.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Moderate localism is noted by one source; another describes none.
Rules of the spot
If surfing: respect local priority and follow the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve code of conduct (where applicable).
- Use the sheltered inside of the bay for smaller, easier waves.
- Check the beach carefully for rocks before entering the water.
- On reefier/heavier conditions, aim for mid to avoid hitting shallow sections.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Vila Nova de Milfontes
- Nearest Town
- Furnas
- Parking
- Unpaved parking area (also described as limited parking near cliffs/nearby lots).
- Access
- Follow signs to Praia das Furnas and cross the bridge over the Rio Mira; local roads are typically well-signposted.
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation ranges from guesthouses/hotels around São João das Lampas to hotels in Sintra and Ericeira.
- Food & Drink
- A bar-restaurant operates in summer; nearby restaurants and bars are located at the nearby Foz do Lizandro beach area (for the wider approach).
- Equipment Rental:
- Surf and board rental is available via surf shops/schools in the wider area; concentrated more in Ericeira than directly on nearby beaches.
- Gear Repair
- Repair shops available in Ericeira.
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 Furnas?
The best overall months at Furnas are December. The best wind months are January, February, March, December.
Which wind directions work at Furnas?
Furnas works with E, SE, NW winds.
What skill level is Furnas suitable for?
Furnas suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Expert.