Monte Clerigo (Aljezur)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves, 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Monte Clérigo is an exposed sandy beachbreak on the Aljezur coast, known for reliable, Atlantic-driven surf and multiple peaks that reshape with sandbank movement. Wave shape is reported as good to regional classic-quality, with powerful energy and the ability to run a typical ride length around 50 to 150 meters depending on the bank formation. For surfing, the spot is consistently described as best when northwesterly swell lines up (with westerly swell also working). East winds are typically favored for cleaner/offshore-ish conditions, while southerly winds can still be workable if they are not too strong. The break is generally best around mid tide, and multiple sources also emphasize low-to-mid tide for the most favorable setup. Safety-wise, rip currents are reported and rocks/reef pockets are present (including sea urchins on rocky areas). Hazards are described as more relevant near the rocky ends and near the village section; one warning highlights that a section in front of the village can become hollow on anything over roughly 8 feet. When the spot is surfable, rip currents are described as barely an issue by some accounts, but the overall message remains: expect strong current and take care with entry/exit. Crowds are generally reported as relatively low: weekdays tend to be empty/quiet, while weekends have only a few surfers. Seasonal comfort and gear depend on water temperature—spring/winter typically calls for a spring-style wetsuit plus gloves and boots in at least one guide, while summer can drop you to lighter protection.
- Very consistent exposure (reported around ~150 surfable days per year in one description).
- Multiple peaks and shifting sandbanks create changing, rideable lines.
- Surfing-focused spot with generally manageable crowds.
- Exposed, very consistent beachbreak with multiple peaks and shifting sandbanks.
- Works from small to large swell, with a noted northwesterly swell preference.
- Low to relatively few crowds, even on good days (weekdays quieter; weekends few).
- Rip currents are present.
- Rocks/reef pockets and sea urchins are reported, especially near the rocky ends.
- On very large swells, sections near the village can become hollow and close out.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE, S
- Offshore directions
- E, ESE, NNE, NE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Sea-breeze pattern is reported, with easterly/southeasterly and southerly directions commonly lining up with workable surfing conditions.
- Reliability
- Very consistent for surf exposure; moderate for wind-specific consistency.
- Gust Factor
- Light gusts — Gusts reported as light; other coverage also describes moderate gusting.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with rocks/reef sections at the ends.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe waist-high up to overhead conditions and swell working from below 1m to 3m+.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach with ample space on low/mid tides.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — One guide rates beach access as easy, while another rates general launch difficulty as moderate.
Through the year
Can be busy in the water during summer and weekends; very quiet and empty during winter weekdays.
Rainy season typically occurs from November through March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reported as challenging due to prevailing swell and rocky hazards; best suited for experienced wave riders when wind is side-shore.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Possible for wave windsurfing during stronger northerly conditions, though the area is primarily described as a surfing destination.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Foil-friendly in the center of the beach away from the rocky ends, but requires managing consistent Atlantic swell.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Foil-friendly in the middle; rocky ends limit safe/comfortable foil operations.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beachbreak with multiple peaks and shifting sandbanks. Best with northwesterly swell; easterly winds are favored, and southerly winds can still work if not too strong.
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1–3.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid tide is listed as best; other sources additionally favor low-to-mid tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — An exposed beach with cliffed/coastal exposure; less protected from Atlantic energy.
- Wind Effect
- E and south/south-east are described as giving cleaner/offshore-ish conditions; East is noted as best and southerly winds are tolerated if not too strong.
- Bigger Swell
- Gains power with size but may hold less well on very large surf; can become heavy and close out on massive swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Described with good/consistent wave quality.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Reported as powerful/exposed; can become heavy and close out on massive Atlantic swell.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can show peeling/wave-behavior depending on swell and sandbank formation.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Typical rides are reported around 50 to 150 meters; some descriptions note rides vary with bank formation.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal ride lengths are reported in the 50 to 150 meter range (some descriptions indicate around ~100m depending on the sandbank).
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) in the full forecast view.
Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–11 ktsGusts 19 kts
- Direction
- N353°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2511 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–2.6 m11s period
- Temperature
- 12–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 19 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.7–2.6 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
- Strong rip currents can occur near rocky headlands and during larger swells
- Rocks
- Reef pockets
- Submerged rocks
- Sea urchins on rocky areas
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards are reported for the main beach period.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue is generally limited, with seasonal lifeguards on primary beaches.
- Emergency Info
- In Portugal, call 112 for emergency services. Nearest health center is in Aljezur.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Described as having mild localism; still, respect local surfers and lineup etiquette.
Rules of the spot
Respect local surfers; designated swimming areas may be cordoned off during peak summer season.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing may be restricted during peak beach hours in July and August.
- Spread out along the beach for better wave shape and more space.
- Check and be ready for shifting sandbanks; they change frequently through winter.
- The southern/village-adjacent sections can have more defined peaks but also more rocks—adjust your lineup accordingly.
- Surf at low or mid tide for the most favorable setup.
- On very large surf, be cautious of hollow sections (especially the village-access area) and potential closeouts.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Aljezur
- Nearest Town
- Monte Clérigo
- Parking
- Beachside parking mentioned; limited parking near the beach front and additional spaces along the access road are also reported.
- Access
- Beach access from Monte Clérigo village; reports mention wooden stairs down to the beach in some guides.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Portuguese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and holiday rentals are available in Monte Clérigo village and in Aljezur.
- Food & Drink
- Several seafood restaurants and cafes are located directly at the beach entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available (surfboards and wetsuits through local schools).
- Gear Storage
- Primarily available via local surf schools and some accommodations.
- Gear Repair
- Board repair availability is reported via regional workshops in Aljezur and nearby Lagos.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Aljezur area mixes watersports culture with protected coastal nature and nearby historic sights.
A 10th-century Moorish castle offering panoramic views of the Aljezur river valley.
Main church of the New Town, built after the 1755 earthquake.
Local history museum for understanding the area’s heritage.
World-class hiking and mountain biking trails along the coast.
Scenic trail access across the Costa Vicentina landscape.
Regional dining focuses on Portuguese coastal and Algarvian cuisine, including seafood and local produce.
Calm river waters meeting the sea are described as ideal for children to swim and play.
Family-friendly coastal visits are common in the area’s sheltered or supervised summer beaches.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Monte Clerigo (Aljezur)?
The best overall months at Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) are October, November, December. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Monte Clerigo (Aljezur)?
Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) works with E, ESE, SE, S winds. Offshore directions are E, ESE, NNE, NE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Monte Clerigo (Aljezur)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Monte Clerigo (Aljezur): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) suitable for?
Monte Clerigo (Aljezur) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.