MadeiraInfo
Livesouth coast·Calheta·Left-hand reef / point

Paul do Mar surf report

Advanced · long lefts

Powerful left next door to Jardim do Mar. Picks up the same swells but more wind-protected on a NE day. Long paddle, rocky entry, world-class wave when it's on.

Right now at Paul do Mar
Fun
Waist-to-chest, the sweet spot for most surfers.
Wave
1.4 m
8 s period
Swell
1.1 m
6 s
Wind
—
Sea temp
21.4 °C
swell N

As of , Paul do Mar is showing 1.4 m waves at 8 s period, sea 21.4 °C — rated fun by our heuristic.

About Paul do Mar

Coast
south coast of Madeira
Nearest town
Calheta
Break type
Left-hand reef / point
Best for
Advanced · long lefts
Coordinates
32.7522, -17.2353

Surfing Paul do Mar — 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. Paul do Mar is a left-hand reef / point on the south coast near Calheta, 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 Paul do Mar works

Best season
November to March, peaking December–February
Ideal swell
W to NW, 2–4 m at 12–18 s
Ideal wind
Offshore from NE / E, under 15 kt
Best tide window
Mid tide on the push — avoid dead low

The reef is deeper than Jardim do Mar but still shows at low. The wave has more shape on a pushing mid tide; at full high it can get a touch fat on the inside. For a wind read before you drive over, check the live Calheta weather page, or the island-wide Madeira weather by parish forecast.

Local tips

  • Use the small harbour to the east as your paddle-out point — much safer than scrambling off the rocks in front of the village.
  • On a solid swell, sit wider than you think; the take-off zone shifts outside as the period climbs.
  • Best light is the morning offshore — the NE land breeze usually drops by 11am.
  • Local café Maré Alta opens early for coffee and is the unofficial dawn-patrol meet-up.
Getting there
Drive through the long Paul do Mar tunnel from Prazeres or take the scenic ER222 along the coast. Free street parking by the seafront. The cable car from Prazeres is a nice round-trip if you're not carrying a board.
Hazards
Long paddle from the harbour, urchin-covered entry rocks, occasional strong easterly current sweeping toward the cliffs. Big-day sets can close out the channel.

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

FAQ

Is Paul do Mar better than Jardim do Mar?

Different wave — Paul do Mar is a long left, Jardim do Mar is a right. On a clean NE wind day Paul do Mar is more sheltered and often more rideable, especially on bigger swells.

What size board do I need at Paul do Mar?

A step-up shortboard (6'4"–6'8") covers most days. Bring a 7'0"+ gun if the forecast shows over 3 m at 14 s+.

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