Water temperatures range from around 15-18°C in the winter to 20-22°C in the summer, making it possible to surf year-round.
In spring (March-May) you can surf easy waves just about anywhere. However, this is probably the best time of the year to go surfing for beginner surfers in Northern Portugal. Make sure to check out the spots around Porto, including Matosinhos and Espinho. In late spring, it already starts to get crowded.
In summer (June – August): summer means beach vibes and surf camp crowds eager to learn surf on mellow beach breaks, especially on the central coast and even more so on the surf beaches near Lisbon. Your best bet during summer is the Algarve, blessed with some of the most reliable surf in Europe, tropical climate and warm water.
In autumn (September – November) almost all the spots work. The crowds will have dispersed, the swells start to kick in, the water is at its warmest, and there's still plenty of sunshine to be had. Do take note that the waves are bigger than in summer and that's when you might realise what means a physically demanding sport . This is a great time to check out the west coast surfing destination such as Peniche,
Ericeira, Nazaré, and the surf reef breaks near Lisbon.
In winter (December – February), the swells are mental. It's a no go for an absolute beginner since Portugal becomes a paradise for big waves surfers . Strong storms can occur during winter, which can make many of the surf breaks unsurfable. You'll have to look for south-facing spots for protection from the storms. Cascais and the Algarve are your best bet if you're looking for fun waves during winter.