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Machico Bay surf report

Beginners · lessons

Sheltered bay with imported sand. The default learn-to-surf spot — most Madeira surf schools run lessons here when conditions allow.

Right now at Machico Bay
Fun
Waist-to-chest, the sweet spot for most surfers.
Wave
1.2 m
7 s period
Swell
0.9 m
5 s
Wind
—
Sea temp
20.6 °C
swell NE

As of , Machico Bay is showing 1.2 m waves at 7 s period, sea 20.6 °C — rated fun by our heuristic.

About Machico Bay

Coast
east coast of Madeira
Nearest town
Machico
Break type
Beach break
Best for
Beginners · lessons
Coordinates
32.7186, -16.7711

Surfing Machico Bay — quick intro

Madeira is a volcanic island in the middle of the North Atlantic, 800 km off the Moroccan coast. With deep water right up to the shoreline and exposure to long-period North Atlantic groundswells, it offers some of Europe's most powerful waves — and almost none of them are sand-bottom beach breaks. Machico Bay is a beach break on the east coast near Machico, and it sits firmly in that Madeiran tradition: rewarding on its day, unforgiving on the wrong one. Compare it with the rest of the island on the Madeira surf report.

When Machico Bay works

Best season
October to April (needs a proper swell to wrap in)
Ideal swell
NE wrapping into the bay, 1–1.8 m at 8–12 s
Ideal wind
Light offshore from W / SW, under 12 kt
Best tide window
Mid to high — the inside is rocky at dead low

Best wave shape comes on the second half of the incoming tide. At low the sandbar drops onto exposed rocks on the south end of the beach. For a wind read before you drive over, check the live Machico weather page, or the island-wide Madeira weather by parish forecast.

Local tips

  • Lessons book up fast in July–August — reserve a day ahead.
  • Park at the marina end of the bay (free) rather than the town centre.
  • If Machico is flat, drive 10 min to Porto da Cruz — it usually has something when the south coast is asleep.
  • Hot showers at the lifeguard tower in summer.
Getting there
20 min from Funchal on the VR1, exit at Machico Centro. The beach is a 5-min walk from the historic town centre, with cafés and rental shops on the promenade.
Hazards
Mostly safe; main risks are crowded line-ups in summer, occasional jellyfish in late summer, and the rocky south end at low tide.

Want eyes on the spot first? Watch the before you commit to the drive.

FAQ

Is Machico the best place to learn to surf in Madeira?

Yes. The imported sand bottom, gentle wave shape and easy paddle-out make it the safest learning spot on the island, and all major surf schools run lessons here.

Does Machico get crowded?

In July and August the line-up gets busy with schools. Off-season (October to May) it's much quieter and often better surfable.

Related on Madeira Info

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