SurfPlanet

Algarve, Portugal

Praia do Tonel

Also known as Tonel, Tonel Sagres

Intermediate Beach break Sand bottom Peels both 0.6–3 m Mid tide

The west-facing beach at the south-western tip of Europe, tucked under the Sagres fortress. Because the Algarve coast turns the corner here, Tonel and the sheltered Mareta beach a few hundred metres away face almost opposite directions — so between them there is a surfable option in nearly any wind. Tonel itself is the exposed one: punchy peaks over sand with rocks at both ends, working best on a west or north-west swell with the prevailing northerly blowing offshore.

Hazards

RocksRipStrong Current

Conditions

Best swell
W, NW, SW
Best wind
N, NE, E
Season
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Wave size
0.6–3 m
Wave quality
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Consistency
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Crowd
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Coordinates
37.0000, -8.9469

Facilities

ParkingToiletsCafeSurf SchoolLifeguard

Getting there

Car park above the beach on the road out to the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse, a few minutes from Sagres town. Steps down to the sand. Check Mareta first if the wind is wrong here.

Sources