Praia do Almoxarife (Almoxarife)

Praia do Almoxarife is a black-sand beach break on Faial with a consistent pattern of right and left waves. The bottom is described as sandy with scattered/submerged rocks, so the main on-water consideration is managing the hazard—especially at higher tide when rocks can be less visible. Sessions are commonly described as regular and generally uncrowded, including on good days (weekdays especially quiet; weekends typically few surfers). Wave quality is reported as good, with the typical ride length described as short (often under 50 meters), while better days extend to longer rides. The spot’s swell window is described as starting to work around 1.0 m–1.5 m and holding into larger sizes (up to roughly 2.5 m+). The more favorable tide is noted as all-tides, with rising tide frequently highlighted as best. Shore break is rated moderate, and rip currents are possible depending on swell size—so conditions can change quickly when the ocean is pushing. For water temperature, the surf-forecast data commonly cites about 16°C in January, with a general range that warms through the year. A spring wetsuit setup is recommended for winter conditions, and summer months typically allow lighter insulation—while keeping boots/foot protection in mind due to the rocky sections.