Foz do Lizandro is the most accessible beginner surf spot on the Ericeira coast. A sandy beach break sitting at the mouth of the Lizandro river, it offers gentle, consistent waves that forgive mistakes. If you are looking for where to take your first sessions on Portugal’s surf coast, this is where you start. Every surf school in Ericeira brings beginners here : and there’s a reason. Once you pass intermediate, head up to Ribeira d’Ilhas: https://travel-surf.com/spot/ribeira-dilhas/.
Locally known as Praia da Foz do Lizandro (meaning “mouth of the Lizandro”), this sandy beach backed by small cliffs is the reference learning wave on Portugal’s west coast. 35 minutes by car from Lisbon airport and 10 minutes from the medieval village of Ericeira, it is the ideal option to combine a beginner surf trip in Portugal, Portuguese cuisine and day trips to Mafra, Sintra or Cascais. Every Ericeira surf school runs their intro lessons here.
“Foz do Lizandro is one of the most popular learning beaches in Ericeira. At mid-rising tide, several peaks form in parallel on the sandbank, which spreads surfers naturally and limits the line-up wait. Ericeira surf schools bring beginner students here throughout the season.”
Forecast and webcam Foz do Lizandro
Before heading down to the spot, two useful tools to check the day’s conditions:
- Surfline forecast Foz do Lizandro : swell, wind, tide forecast and embedded webcam where available.
- Windy weather map (38.9430, -9.4181) : graphic view of swell, wind and real-time weather conditions.
Foz do Lizandro spot characteristics
Foz do Lizandro sits 5 km south of Ericeira village, a 10-minute drive from the centre. The beach stretches 800 metres between cliffs and the Lizandro river mouth. It is a west-facing beach break that catches North Atlantic swells, with sandbanks that reshape every winter. The result: several peaks breaking in parallel, which spreads surfers out and limits the line-up wait.
| Criteria | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wave type | Beach break |
| Wave direction | Rights and lefts (multiple parallel peaks) |
| Ideal tide | Mid-rising tide (the whitewater zone moves up gradually) |
| Swell direction | West to north-west (5 to 12 second period) |
| Ideal wind | East, north-east (offshore in the morning) |
| Important info | Possible current on the river-mouth side at outgoing tide after rain. No reef, sandy bottom, forgiving waves. Lifeguarded in season. |
| Best level | Beginner to intermediate |
| Wave size | 0.5 to 2 m (sweet spot 0.8 to 1.5 m) |
| Water temp | 15 to 20 °C depending on season |
| Crowd | High in July-August, moderate the rest of the year |
Sources: field observations + Stormrider Guide : Foz do Lizandro, the world reference for surf spots.
Video: Foz do Lizandro in action
When to surf Foz do Lizandro
The best window for beginners: May to June. The swell is moderate (0.8 to 1.5 m), the water warms up to 17-18 °C, and the crowd stays reasonable. September-October works just as well if you want slightly more powerful conditions to push past beginner level. Avoid December to March: winter swells climb to 2-4 m and the spot becomes too committed for learning.
Foz do Lizandro surf calendar: intensity by month
To plan your overall season in Portugal, see also our guide on beginner surf in Portugal: the easiest beach breaks.
Foz do Lizandro: which surf level is it for?
Beginners: 100% yes
This is THE learning spot of the Ericeira coast. The sandy bottom, waves breaking in multiple peaks, shallow water on the whitewater zone, no reef and no major current make it an ideal first-session playground. You can stand in the water without paddling 200 metres out, and practise your take-off until your arms give out.
Intermediates: yes, to lock in the basics
When the swell goes above 1 m, Foz do Lizandro becomes a great spot to move from whitewater to the green face, work your bottom turn and try your first cutbacks. The sandbanks sometimes form sections that close out fast : perfect to dial in your timing.
Advanced: occasional
If you are looking for size, head to Nazaré or try Coxos when the winter swell hits. Foz do Lizandro stays a fun spot for advanced surfers in chill sessions : not a signature wave.
How to get to Foz do Lizandro
From Ericeira centre, take the N247 towards Sintra. After 5 km, follow the “Praia da Foz do Lizandro” sign on your right. Paid parking in high season (5 € a day), free off-season. If it is full, park 200 m up the road and walk down (3 minutes).
On site: free public showers, beachfront restaurant (Restaurante Foz), lifeguard station in season. Several rental shacks on the sand (like Na Onda) usually offer the full board + wetsuit pack for the half-day (~25 €) : handy if you arrive with no gear. You can also use the gear from your surf camp if you booked an all-in package.
Spot location
GPS coordinates: 38.9430° N, -9.4181° W. 5 km south of Ericeira, mouth of the Lizandro river.
Open the full map on OpenStreetMap
Which surf camp to surf Foz do Lizandro?
All surf camps in Ericeira include Foz do Lizandro in their spot rotation. The two we recommend for beginners and intermediates:
- Riders Surf’n Stay: the local reference for 15 years, beginner week package 480-720 € with 5 sessions/week, mostly at Foz do Lizandro.
- Boardrider Surf Camp Ericeira: more accessible option (380-580 €), hostel vibe, Foz do Lizandro and Praia da Empa sessions depending on the swell.
Where to stay near Foz do Lizandro
Most accommodation in Ericeira is 5-10 minutes from the spot. If you want to sleep as close as possible, aim for the Foz do Lizandro / Praia Sul area. Interactive map below to compare availability.
What else to do near Foz do Lizandro?
When the sea goes flat or you want some variety: a stroll through Ericeira’s lanes (10 min by car), Mafra and its baroque palace (15 min), Sintra and the colourful palace (30 min). Praia Grande just south is also an interesting intermediate surf spot if you want to switch peaks.
Foz do Lizandro FAQ
Yes. The beach break peels in multiple peaks on a sandy bottom, the water is shallow on the whitewater zone, and every Ericeira surf school runs first lessons here. It is THE spot for your very first session, even if you have never stood on a board.
May to September for beginners: water between 17 and 20 °C, waves 0.5 to 1.5 m, fewer people in May-June. In winter (November-March), the swell gets too big to learn, and the spot becomes a beach break for intermediates.
No, access to the spot is free. Paid parking in high season (5 € a day), otherwise free street parking 200 m up the road. Public showers are free.
Very few. The current can pull seaward when the river mouth swells (after rain). Avoid the river side on outgoing tide. No rocks, no reef, forgiving waves. A safe place to learn.
3/2 mm wetsuit from May to September, 4/3 mm in winter. Foam board 8’0″ to 9’0″ for beginners (included in every surf camp package). If you rent on the spot, expect 15 € the half-day.
A classic: morning at Foz do Lizandro (gentle waves), then afternoon at Praia da Empa (5 minutes north) or Ribeira d’Ilhas if you reach intermediate level. Most surf camps organise these transfers for free.
In short
Foz do Lizandro is the best entry point to discover surfing in Ericeira. Gentle waves, sandy bottom, multiple peaks, mild water from May to October, easy 10-minute access from the centre. This is where Ericeira surf schools take 90 % of their students : and this is where you should come if you want your first surf trip in Portugal without getting smashed. To book a stay that includes Foz do Lizandro, check our comparison of the best surf camps in Ericeira.