Lagos – Meia Praia
Portugal · Windsurf · Wellenreiten · SUP
About this spot
A long, gently sloping sandy beach in the bay of Lagos, in the southwest Algarve. Meia Praia is a fairly sheltered beach break that only fires with the right swell – it works best when a south-to-southeast swell meets offshore northwest wind. In summer the waves are mostly small and forgiving, making the beach a relaxed learning and longboard zone; winter brings the stronger, rarer wave days.
Is Meia Praia worth it for windsurfing too? Yes – the bay benefits from the Nortada, a thermal northwest wind driven by the temperature difference between the hot Alentejo plains inland and the cooler Atlantic, reaching 18–22 knots on good afternoons. That makes the long, shallow-sloping beach a solid windsurf and SUP zone as well. Lagos, with its old town, marina and full infrastructure, sits right at the western end.
Location
Insider tips
For wave surfing wait for a south/SE swell with offshore NW wind – otherwise it is often too small. For windsurf and wing use the afternoon thermal Nortada.
⚠︎ Hazards
Offshore northwest wind pushes gear and SUPs out to sea – keep an eye on your distance. Stronger current on the more exposed beach sections in winter.
Nearby surf schools
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