Map › Funchal - Madeira › Praia Formosa
Spot · tier 2 · Portugal
Praia Formosa
Madeira's main kite and windsurf beach, a point break just west of Funchal on the island's south coast, offering both left and right waves. It benefits from some shelter against southeast winds and works best with NE offshore wind and SW groundswell.
intermediatewaves
Wind
| best months |
|
|---|---|
| season notes | Best surf/wind combination peaks around June; workable through autumn and winter too. |
| direction to shore | NE offshore is favoured |
| quality | gusty |
Water
| type | waves |
|---|---|
| temp summer c | 25 |
| temp winter c | 20 |
| wetsuit | boardshorts/shorty in summer, thin wetsuit shoulder season |
| tides | surfable at all stages of the tide |
Levels
| beginner | no |
|---|---|
| intermediate | yes |
| advanced | yes |
| notes | Point-break waves over a rocky bottom suit intermediate-to-advanced riders more than complete beginners. |
Launch & crowd
| description | Beach/point launch just west of Funchal. |
|---|---|
| busy months |
|
| vibe | rarely crowded despite being the island's main spot |
Hazards
- rocky point-break bottom - watch out for rocks
- inconsistent, exposed conditions
Travel basics
| airport | FNC Madeira Airport (Cristiano Ronaldo International) |
|---|---|
| getting there | short drive from Funchal city centre |
| accommodation | wide range of hotels in Funchal |
| cost level | high |
| no wind | explore Funchal city, levada hikes inland |
Nearby: Porto da Cruz / Machico
Sources: surf-forecast.com