Looking for a peaceful surf escape with reliable waves? Praia de Melides, set along Portugal’s unspoiled Alentejo coast, offers an exposed beach break with consistent swell, making it a prime spot for surfers of all levels.
Here, smooth, peeling waves break both left and right over a sandy bottom. With an ideal southwest swell direction and offshore winds from the east, Melides provides clean, rideable conditions throughout the year. The beach works at all tide stages, giving you the freedom to surf whenever the waves call.
Beyond the surf, Melides’ laid-back charm and stunning natural landscapes make it an ideal retreat. Stay in boutique eco-lodges, savor fresh seafood at local restaurants, or explore the vast dunes and pine forests that define this hidden gem of the Alentejo.
Ready to surf Melides? Plan your trip now and uncover everything this underrated surf spot has to offer with our Alentejo Surf Trip Guide.
- Why Surf in Melides?
- Discover Melides: Scenic Beach Views
- Melides Surf Conditions: What to Expect in the Lineup
- Live Surf Forecast for Melides Beach
- How to Get to Melides: Location & Directions
- Plan Your Surf Trip to Melides
- FAQ: Surfing & Travel Tips for Melides
- Explore More Surf Spot Guides in the Alentejo
- Related Alentejo Travel Guides
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links — if you book through them, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). This helps us keep the site running and create even more useful content for travelers like you. If you’ve found our work helpful and wish to support us further, you can also make a small donation via PayPal. Every bit counts — thank you!
Spread the word about Melides
Why Surf in Melides?
Looking for a quieter alternative to Portugal’s famous surf towns? Melides, tucked along the Alentejo coast, is a hidden surf spot that combines unspoiled nature with consistent waves.
Here’s why surfers love Melides:
- Uncrowded lineups – enjoy plenty of space, far from the busy surf hubs.
- Consistent beach break – mellow lefts and rights rolling over sand, ideal for all levels.
- Year-round surfability – good conditions with swells from southwest, west, and south.
- Beginner-friendly vibe – wide open beach with safe conditions to learn or progress.
- Laid-back atmosphere – surf sessions paired with Alentejo’s slow pace, rice fields, and dunes.
Surfing in Melides isn’t just about catching waves — it’s about embracing the natural rhythm of Portugal’s wild Alentejo coast.
- Flights: Find the Best Flight Deals
- Car Rental: Book Your Car Rental in Melides
- Hotels: Check Hotels & Stays in Melides
- Surf Camps: Join a Surf Camp in Alentejo
- Activities: Book Fun Activities in Melides
- Tours: Discover Tours & Day Trips around Melides
- Surf vibe: Laid-back Alentejo atmosphere, uncrowded lineups, and stunning natural surroundings.
- Best surf season: Autumn to spring (October–April) for the most consistent swells.
- Best beginner surf: Wide sandy beach with mellow peaks, plenty of room to practice.
- Wave type: Beach break with lefts and rights over a sandy bottom.
- Top stays nearby:
Discover Melides: Scenic Beach Views
Curious about Melides’s atmosphere? This panoramic video gives you a taste of its golden sands and laid-back charm.
Video source: www.youtube.com
Melides Surf Conditions: What to Expect in the Lineup
Facilities
Car Park
WC
Bar
Restaurant
Surf Level
Wave Direction
Right and Left
Tide
All tides
Swell
Northwest, Southwest, West
Wind
East, Northeast, Southeast
Bottom
Sand
Season
October to April
Consistency
Localism
Crowd
Average Water Temperature
Summer: 20.3°C
Autumn: 19.3°C
Winter: 15.9°C
Spring: 16.5°C
Live Surf Forecast for Melides Beach
How to Get to Melides: Location & Directions
Praia de Melides is a stunning beach located in Portugal’s Alentejo region, around 130 kilometers south of Lisbon. Famous for its expansive golden sands and untouched natural beauty, Melides offers a peaceful retreat for surfers and beachgoers seeking tranquility. Unlike the busier surf spots along Portugal’s central coast, Melides maintains a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy both great waves and relaxation.
Easily accessible by car, the drive from Lisbon takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the A2 and N261 highways. While public transport options are limited, travelers can take a train or bus to Setúbal, then a ferry to Tróia, followed by a short drive to Melides. Renting a car is the best way to explore this charming area and its nearby surf spots.
To find out how to get to Melides, check out the Location & Directions section on our main page, Alentejo Surf Trip Guide. Use the embedded Google Maps tool below to easily navigate to Melides and start your adventure.
Ready to experience the beauty of Melides? Pack your surfboard, plan your trip, and get ready to enjoy the waves at one of Portugal’s most tranquil beach breaks!
Plan Your Surf Trip to Melides
Planning your surf trip is easier when everything’s in one place. Use this guide to organize your perfect getaway.
Found this guide helpful? Share it with friends who’d love Melides too.
FAQ: Surfing & Travel Tips for Melides
What’s the weather like in Melides?
Melides has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Average water temps range from 16°C in winter to 21°C in summer, so a wetsuit is recommended outside the hottest months.
Are there surf camps in Melides?
While Melides itself is more low-key, there are surf camps nearby in Comporta and along the Alentejo coast, perfect for combining surf lessons with a relaxed holiday.
Where to stay in Melides?
From boutique hotels and villas to budget-friendly camping, Melides offers a mix of accommodations. Many stays are close to the beach or lagoon, making it easy to combine surf and relaxation.
What is there to do in Melides besides surfing?
Melides is known for its stunning lagoon, vast sandy beach, and artistic vibe. Visitors enjoy hiking, horse riding, wine and food tastings, and exploring the growing art scene. Shopping and traditional Alentejo cuisine also make the trip special.
How far is Melides from Comporta?
Melides is about a 20-minute drive from Comporta, making it easy to explore both surf spots in one trip.
What makes Praia de Melides special?
The beach is wide, uncrowded, and backed by sand dunes and pine forests. It’s ideal for surfers who want space and a more natural setting away from busy surf towns.
Explore More Surf Spot Guides in the Alentejo
- Comporta Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Sines Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- São Torpes Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Porto Covo Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Aivados Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Malhão Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Vila Nova de Milfontes Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Zambujeira do Mar Surf Spot Details: Your Complete Surf Guide & Travel Planner
- Carvalhal
Related Alentejo Travel Guides
Best Surf Camps in Lagos – Top 5 Picks
Planning a surf trip to the Algarve? This guide to the best surf camps in Lagos helps…
Aljezur Surf Camps with Lessons – 7 Best
Dreaming of surf sessions at sunrise, yoga at sunset, and fresh seafood in between? Aljezur set inside…
Algarve Surf Hotels: Best Places to Stay for Surfing
Planning a surf-friendly stay in southern Portugal? This guide to the best hotels in Algarve for surf…
Top Surf Camps in Sagres
Looking for that perfect blend of wild nature, consistent waves, and surf-town charm? Sagres might just be…
Best Surf Camps in the Algarve
Dreaming of golden sands and perfect waves? The Algarve is calling! As a world-renowned surfing destination with…