Overview
Monte Clérigo is a rarely ridden stretch of beachbreak in Portugal, throwing up both lefts and rights over a sandy bottom with rocks scattered along the beach. The waves here are average rather than world-class, and one thing to know before you go: it always seems to be windy here.
When It Works
The beach picks up swell from southwest through north, with northwest (NW) swell the best match. It works from 0.6 m / 2 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, which gives it a decent working range before things get too small or too big to bother with.
Wind and Tide
Clean conditions need a southeast (SE) offshore wind, worth keeping in mind given how windy this beach tends to be. Low and mid tide are the times to surf it, with a rising tide generally the better call. At low tide the waves stretch out longer and mushier, so expect a softer, slower ride the further the tide drops.
Local Tips
Those soft, forgiving waves make Monte Clérigo a good fit for beginners, and with lefts and rights peeling both ways there is room to practice going either direction.
Access
Getting sorted here is easy: there is a car park with free parking, plus roadside parking if that fills up. The beach also has showers and a lifeguard on duty.
