Free, personal alerts

Never miss the next giant swell

Pick a location and we’ll email only when the forecast crosses your threshold. No daily noise or surprise offers.

All spots / Portugal

September — April

Supertubos

A punchy Peniche beachbreak famous for hollow tubes, shifting sandbanks and World Tour drama.

Free, personal alerts

Never miss the next giant swell

Pick a location and we’ll email only when the forecast crosses your threshold. No daily noise or surprise offers.

quiet

Valid 2026-09-04

28Wave score
Forecast confidence65%

Free, personal alerts

Never miss the next giant swell

Immediate, daily or weekly delivery

Free, personal alerts

Never miss the next giant swell

Pick a location and we’ll email only when the forecast crosses your threshold. No daily noise or surprise offers.

At a glance

The latest outlook for Supertubos

No major big-wave window is confirmed yet. We are monitoring the next long-period pulse.

quiet
Wave face0.5–1.1 m
Swell period8s
WindN 16 km/h
Confidence65%

Location

Where is Supertubos?

Explore the surrounding coastline and open the marker for location details.

  • Supertubos: 39.35, -9.367

See the break

Supertubos, photograph 1 of 3
Supertubos, photograph 1 of 3
Supertubos, photograph 2 of 3
Supertubos, photograph 2 of 3
Supertubos, photograph 3 of 3
Supertubos, photograph 3 of 3
Image credits ↗
Illustrated map of things to do in Supertubos

Explore the area

What to do in Supertubos

Use the illustrated map to discover beaches, viewpoints and local landmarks.

  1. Supertubos

    A world-famous Portuguese surf break known for producing fast, powerful and exceptionally hollow waves.

  2. Barrel Zone

    The main breaking area where incoming swells form the deep tubes that gave Supertubos its name.

  3. Beach Break

    Waves break over shifting sandbars close to shore, allowing both left- and right-hand barrels to form.

  4. Praia do Medão

    The exposed sandy beach that hosts Supertubos along the coastline south of Peniche.

  5. Northwest Swell

    Atlantic swell approaches from the northwest before rising over the shallow nearshore sandbars.

  6. Peniche Peninsula

    A prominent rocky peninsula that helps make the surrounding coastline receptive to several swell directions.

  7. Peniche

    One of Europe’s leading surf towns and the primary base for visiting Supertubos.

  8. Consolação

    A small coastal community located immediately south of Praia do Medão and the Supertubos break.

  9. Atlantic Ocean

    The open ocean supplying the powerful swells that create Supertubos’ celebrated barrels.

  10. Portugal

    The Atlantic-facing country whose central-west coast is home to Peniche and Supertubos.

Wave face

Swell history & forecast

Recent results and the next 16 days, shown against stacked 1.8 m people for scale.

Next 16 days
quiet0.5–1.1 m
Swell period
8s
Wind
N 16 km/h
Score
28
Confidence
65%
quiet0.7–1.2 m
Swell period
9.5s
Wind
NE 16.5 km/h
Score
38
Confidence
78%
quiet0.3–0.7 m
Swell period
8s
Wind
N 16 km/h
Score
18
Confidence
70%
quiet1–1.6 m
Swell period
11s
Wind
N 30 km/h
Score
45
Confidence
65%
quiet1–2.1 m
Swell period
9s
Wind
NE 15 km/h
Score
48
Confidence
60%
quiet0.9–1.8 m
Swell period
10s
Wind
NE 16 km/h
Score
42
Confidence
55%
quiet0.9–1.7 m
Swell period
10.5s
Wind
NE 14 km/h
Score
48
Confidence
42%
quiet1–1.7 m
Swell period
10s
Wind
N 16 km/h
Score
48
Confidence
42%
quiet1.1–1.8 m
Swell period
10.5s
Wind
NE 15.5 km/h
Score
58
Confidence
40%
quiet1.1–2.2 m
Swell period
10.5s
Wind
NE 15 km/h
Score
40
Confidence
25%
quiet1.2–2.1 m
Swell period
11.5s
Wind
NW 17 km/h
Score
42
Confidence
25%
quiet1.2–2.1 m
Swell period
10.5s
Wind
N 18.5 km/h
Score
45
Confidence
30%
quiet1.1–1.8 m
Swell period
10.5s
Wind
NE 16 km/h
Score
38
Confidence
25%
quiet1.1–2 m
Swell period
11s
Wind
NE 16 km/h
Score
38
Confidence
25%
quiet1.1–2.2 m
Swell period
11s
Wind
NE 16 km/h
Score
38
Confidence
28%
quiet0.8–1.9 m
Swell period
10s
Wind
NE 16 km/h
Score
42
Confidence
18%

When to visit

Month-by-month season planner

Typical big-wave season: September — April. Forecasts still decide the worthwhile days.

  1. Jan
    2.6 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.2–4.4 mBig-wave season
  2. Feb
    2.5 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.1–4.2 mBig-wave season
  3. Mar
    2.2 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.0–3.7 mBig-wave season
  4. Apr
    1.9 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.9–3.2 mBig-wave season
  5. May
    1.6 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.7–2.7 mShoulder month
  6. Jun
    1.4 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.6–2.4 mUsually quieter
  7. Jul
    1.3 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.6–2.2 mUsually quieter
  8. Aug
    1.4 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.6–2.4 mShoulder month
  9. Sep
    1.7 mAverage swell
    Typical 0.8–2.9 mBig-wave season
  10. Oct
    2.1 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.0–3.6 mBig-wave season
  11. Nov
    2.4 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.1–4.1 mBig-wave season
  12. Dec
    2.7 mAverage swell
    Typical 1.2–4.6 mBig-wave season

Offshore significant wave height (Hs). Typical range is P10–P90, not breaking wave-face height.

Confidence
Medium–high
Estimated uncertainty
±0.3 m

Plan the journey

How to reach Supertubos

Travel times are estimates and can increase with traffic, weather, border formalities or major swell crowds.

  1. Fly in

    Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon (LIS)

    Lisbon is the nearest major international airport to Peniche and Praia do Medão.

  2. Drive or transfer1 hr 10–30 min

    Lisbon Airport → Peniche

    Follow the A8 north and turn toward Peniche on the IP6. A car makes it easier to move between exposed and sheltered breaks.

    Travel details
  3. Where to stay

    Peniche or Praia do Medão

    Beachfront accommodation offers the fastest access. Central Peniche has more restaurants, while Baleal has more surf camps and rental shops.

  4. Local transfer5–15 min

    Accommodation → Praia do Medão

    Follow signs south toward Consolação and use the beachfront parking. Arrive early on competition and premium swell days.

    Travel details
  5. Paddle access5–15 min

    Beach → Supertubos lineup

    Paddle through the safest visible channel. Shifting sandbanks and currents mean there is no single permanent entry route.

Guides

Plan the whole visit

Forecast, viewing, travel and safety guidance in one place.

When to visit

Plan flexibly

The established big-wave season at Supertubos is September — April. The best days are uncommon and usually become clear only a few days ahead.

Read guide →Where to watch

Give the ocean room

View Supertubos from established public viewpoints and obey closures, barriers and local authorities.

Read guide →Where to stay

Travel with flexibility

Stay within easy reach of Supertubos, but avoid booking solely around a long-range forecast.

Read guide →Safety

Non-negotiable basics

Big-wave coastlines are hazardous for spectators and surfers. Conditions at Supertubos can change quickly.

Read guide →Records

Verified history first

Supertubos has earned its place in big-wave history through remarkable conditions, surfers and local communities.

Read guide →

Common questions

Supertubos FAQs

Practical answers for planning a safe, well-informed visit.

When is the best surf season at Supertubos?

Supertubos is typically most consistent from September through April. The best days combine a suitable Atlantic swell, favourable wind and well-formed nearshore sandbanks.

Where is Supertubos?

Supertubos breaks at Praia do Medão, immediately south of Peniche on Portugal’s central-west coast. Peniche is the main accommodation and services base.

How do surfers reach the Supertubos lineup?

Surfers paddle directly from the beach through the safest visible channel. Because the sandbanks and currents shift, there is no permanent entry route.

Is Supertubos suitable for beginners?

The main break is fast, hollow and powerful and is generally unsuitable for beginners when working properly. Less experienced surfers should use an appropriate nearby beach and local instruction.