Surfing in Portugal in May
A FEW SENTENCES FROM JAN – OUR GUIDE FOR THE SURF AREA
We’ve been traveling to the northern region of Portugal to surf for almost 15 years now and we’ve been in Gelfa with our surf camp for 10 years. I’ve been there every month except January and February. As one of the founders of the camp, I can only say: it’s worth it in all months. A wave magnet in the summer, deserted in the off-peak months – your choice of month determines what kind of vacation you will have. Our camp and the atmosphere on the beach change almost every week. I think everyone who has been here before can confirm that.
How many people are in the camp? How important are the wave conditions to me? What kind of atmosphere do I want for
My opinion: May is THE best month to surf in northern Portugal
I came to Gelfa for the same reason you did. I wanted to surf and get out of the city. To be in nature – to experience the sea. I probably don’t need to tell you that May isn’t high summer yet. Of course, your chances of better weather increase if you come in August or September, but that applies to pretty much all of Europe. What makes May special is the atmosphere. The harsh winter climate has already faded, the sun makes everything bloom, and the beach is practically swept clean. In the morning, you see no people, hear no sounds. Fishing boats on the horizon, the Frenchman with the white car and the little dog does his daily round in the morning. He’s lived just around the corner for years. From the terrace, you watch the spear fishermen passing by the camp and feel like a quirky neighbour. ‘Look at that one. Do you know him?’ You greet the anglers on the beach, and a few steps further, you can enjoy the sea all by yourself. During yoga, the mats are rolled out right by the sea, the sun rises, no people, no cars. Gentle cues for the asanas, one eye on the ocean. Nothing else. In summer, you have that too, but not all day long. It gets more colourful, more bustling, with surfers, cyclists, or pilgrims on the Camino. The restaurants are lively, and the weekly market is bursting at the seams. Oyster stand in Caminha, sardine festival in Âncora, small-scale local tourism. It almost never gets really touristy in Gelfa, but if you ask me: in May, the place feels untouched, and the camp feels even more like a little microcosm. It’s just the way we found it back then. We thought it was a secret spot, but actually, we were just in the right place at the right time. I can only recommend that everyone takes timing into account as an important factor in their planning: What do I wish for in my surf holiday, and does the month match that? The best way to find out is to get in touch with us. Then we can advise you.
