Peniche, Portugal
Baleal
Also known as Praia do Baleal, Prainha Baleal
Beginner
Beach break
Sand bottom
Peels both
0.4–2.5 m
Any tide
A tombolo joins the Baleal islet to the mainland and creates two beaches facing opposite ways, which is the whole point: whatever the wind and swell are doing, one side of it is usually surfable. The sheltered south side is gentle, sandy and forgiving, and is where most of Peniche's surf camps teach. The north side picks up far more swell and turns into a proper wave. Five minutes from Supertubos and vastly more approachable.
Hazards
RocksRipCrowds
Conditions
- Best swell
- NW, W, N, SW
- Best wind
- N, NE, E, S
- Season
- Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
- Wave size
- 0.4–2.5 m
- Wave quality
- Consistency
- Crowd
- Coordinates
- 39.3742, -9.3325
Facilities
ParkingToiletsShowersSurf SchoolBoard RentalCafeLifeguardCamping
Getting there
Signposted from Peniche, 5 km north. Park on the isthmus itself and pick your side based on the wind. Very busy with surf schools from spring onwards.