Malhao

A fun beach break on the Alentejo coast, Malhao sits just north of Vila Nova de Milfontes and delivers punchy peaks across a range of swell sizes. It picks up SW to NW swell reliably from 3ft, holding shape up to 6ft-plus on bigger pulses. Offshore winds blow from the east, which makes autumn through spring the prime window as summer's persistent onshore northerlies tend to kill the form. Expect short, punchy rides rarely stretching beyond 50m, but the wave can be energetic and rewarding when conditions align. The lineup is essentially empty midweek and sees only a handful of surfers on weekends, making it a low-pressure option for intermediates or confident beginners comfortable in dynamic beach break. Bottom: mixed sand and rock. Season: October to April. Consistency: moderate. The rips through the mid-beach zone are notably heavy, and submerged rocks can catch you off guard on shallow takeoffs, so pick your entry and exit points carefully before paddling out.