B&B Arthouse (Ericeira, Portugal) ★★★

All beaches of Ericeira's coastline !
Famous surf beaches when the swell pumps or traditional sun seekers oases when its calm, Ericeira has it all. Europe's first aproved World Surfing Reserve, with standout Waves like Coxos, Reef, Pedra Branca or Ribeira d'Ilhas is only one more excellency seal for Ericeira's beaches. Seven Blue Flag decorations in 2013 proof not only top water and air quality, but also dedication to educational environmental information, handicapped persons access facilties and modern infra structures.

Caladan(Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach, Blue lag)
This beautiful beach located 10 km north of Ericeira between steep cliffs, can be reached from the coastal road, just North of São Lourenço. If you are adventurous, you could climb 300 meters between rocks and cliffs, heading north, until you reach a small 'private' beach.
surf: right hand reef break, which holds bigger swells.

Cave (World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach
a break south of Coxos, no beach
surf: certainly the heaviest wave in Ericeira, dangerous as it breaks in front of rocks, only for pros.

Coxos (World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach)
the beach which gives the name to Europe's most famous right hand point break is actually a quite small sandy beach north of the famous break.No Lifeguards, no Infrastructures.
surf: no surf at the "oficial" Coxos beach, the real spot is located a bit further south and can be reached by a dirt road. The wave breaks along a shallow reef into a small bay. Similar to many Hawaiian waves, swell arrives from deep waters hitting the reef perfectly, concentrating all of its power in the base of the wave with a barreling lip. Entry: jump in from the rocks and paddle like a madman or do the big detour from the end of the bay. It's worth all the work - Coxos is one of the best right breaking barrels in Europe.

Crazy Left (World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach)
a break south of Coxos, no beach
surf: A barreling wave on the south side of Coxos’ bay. It's a fast wave, very hollow and breaks over shallow reef. Best when high-tide.

Fishermen Beach (Bathing Beach, Blue Flag)
also known as "Praia dos Pescadores" or "Praia do Peixe", next to the small harbor of Ericeira is surrounded by an approx. 40-meter high wall, called the "Muro das Ribas". It is sheltered from the sea-breeze and a very popular beach due to its shallow sand bottom and little or no waves.
surf: no surf, except some rebuilding waves in the harbour at low-tide, when it is really big.

Foz de Lizandro and Limipicos (Bathing Beach, Blue Flag, Surfing Beach)
A very popular beach with shallow sand bottoms. It is located south of Ericeira, where the river, which passes by the chapel of Our Lady of Ó, struggles its way through the sandy area. As it the water gathers into a little lake, it is an ideal place to try out SUP or for a trip with the small boats, you find here to hire.
surf: beach break with several peaks. The best one is a lefthander at the rivermouth, depending on the sandbank's shape, it can get classic. At the north end you find Limipicos, with left- and righthander over sandy rock bottom

Furnas - Pico do Futuro (Surfing Beach)
no beach, at Furnas the cliffs flatten out and are seeked by sun bathers who enjoy the very healthy air. Several sun beds free of charge. No Lifeguards, no Infrastructures.
surf: a hollow righthander with a fat lip. Only breaks when it's really big. Paddle out from the Fishermen or South beach or jump in from the rocks. Dangerous, as take-off is close to the rocks. Holds huge swells and breaks into deeper water.

Matadouro (bathing Beach, Surfing Beach)
tiny sandy beach, shallow waters with seagrass and sandcovered rocks
surf: inside: ideal for beginners due to it's shallow waters; outside: nice right reef break, which holds bigger sized swell nicely, breaks into deeper water.

North Beach, Algodio and Moita Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach, Blue Flag)
A sandy beach located just north of the harbour wall. This beach and the Fishermen beach are probably the ones which have been popular for the longest time, since they are located within the old center of the village.
surf: several points, mostely uncrowded. Moita, which breaks along a smooth bottom reef produces often world class right handers. Holds overhead sized waves easily, best at medium tide.

Orelheira (Bathing Beach)
This small beach is south of Ribeira D' Ilhas bay. The difficult access to this beach, a small track between cliffs, turns it into a kind of private beach. Dangerous at high-tide with big waves. No Lifeguards, no Infrastructures.
surf: no surf

Pedra Branca, Backdoor and Reef (World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach, Bathing Beach)
Oficially called "Praia da Empa", Pedra Branca has a small piece of sandy beach, which commonly gets flooded at high tide. No Lifeguards, no Infrastructures. Backdoor and The Reef are in the Northern part of the beach and excel with razor sharp rocks and huge colonies of sea urgins over a very shallow reef.
surf: if you are looking for fast left hand or right hand barrels, Pedra Branca, Backdoor and Reef are the spot for you. Pedra Branca is often crowded with boogie boarders.

Pontinha (World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach)
no beach
surf: At the northern end of Ribeira d'Ilhas you find another right, with steeper sections. It's a bit shorter wave but a bit faster than Ribeira d'Ilhas and often less crowded

Ribeira d'Ilhas(World Surfing Reserve, Surfing Beach, Bathing Beach, Blue Flag)
Ribeira D' Ilhas beach, located between Ericeira and Ribamar, is internationally- renowned as one of the best surfing spots in Europe. It has been host to the ASP (WQS) surf world championships since 1985.
surf: Portugals Bells beach is one of the most consistent spots in summer, good with small to medium waves, but even double overhead can be ridden. It has long rights, soft but with some steeper sections in between. Crowds.

São Julião (Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach)
São Julião is the largest beach in the area of Ericeira, stretching out for several kilometers. The southern part of the beach makes already part of the Sintra district. Known for dangerous rip curls.
surf: typical beach break with uncountable peaks. The first ones are crowded, The further you go down South, the less people you find in the water and on the beach.

São Sebastião (Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach)
a sandy beach, areas with shallow waters with seagrass and sandcovered rocks. The beach, located at the north end of the village, is named after the chapel of São Sebastião, which overlooks the beach.
surf: several points, mostely uncrowded. The lefthander on the south end of the beach produces some nice barreling lefts, which break into deeper water, often crowded with body borders.

São Lourenço (Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach, Blue Flag)
São Lourenço is a spacious beach located between Ribamar and S. Lourenço. From Ribamar the main access leads to a car park directly at the beach, from São Lourenço a footpath winds downwards onto the beach.
surf: a sandcovered reef which holds the biggest swells, difficult right.

South Beach (Bathing Beach, Surfing Beach, Blue Flag)
This popular beach, also called Baleia ("Whale Beach"), is located at the south end of the village. The origin of its name results from the fact, that in 1872 an enormous whale was stranded at this beach. Sheltered beach with sand bottom.
surf: several peaks, right and lefthanders. Some easier waves to be found, when it's big.