Praia do Norte

Praia do Norte is a sandy beach in Nazaré on the Portuguese Atlantic coast. The shore stretches at the base of cliffs where natural dunes separate the sand from the higher ground and the ocean meets the coastline directly.

An American surfer rode a wave roughly 30 meters high here in 2011, setting a world record. That moment brought international attention to the beach and drew athletes from many countries to the coast.

The beach sits below São Miguel Arcanjo Fort, which now displays exhibitions about giant waves and the history of seafaring in the area. Fishermen from the nearby town sometimes visit the cliffs to watch the ocean and share stories of past storms.

Visitors reach the beach via marked trails from the parking area near the fort or by funicular from the town center. Conditions at the waterfront change quickly, especially during heavy swell in autumn and winter.

The Nazaré Canyon extends offshore to depths of roughly 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) and channels currents in a way that produces very tall waves. This geological formation makes the beach one of the few places worldwide where such extreme conditions occur regularly.

Location: Nazaré

Address: Nazare Beach, Portugal

Website: http://cm-nazare.pt/pt

GPS coordinates: 39.60442,-9.08558

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:27