Carrapateira is a small, whitewashed Algarvian village about 20 minutes driving north of Sagres the region’s self-proclaimed surf capital. It’s one of the first towns you come to as you skirt the Costa Vicentina natural park that spreads across great swathes of this wave-rich region. It doesn’t disappoint. There are two main surf beaches within eyeshot of the town itself: To the north, Bordeira; to the south, Carrapateira itself. Both are pretty outstanding examples of Algarvian Atlantic surf.

The conditions vary a lot depending on swell size, but the main sort of wave you get here are beefy Atlantic walls. The beach breaks are big and can close out, but also give some nice heavy sets that A-frame. The points are generally rarer but of higher quality, occasionally hollowing out when they peak over 6 foot with an offshore westerly.