BEACH & SEA FLOOR GUIDE // Central North CoastIntermediate to Advanced

Fajã da Areia · São Vicente — Reef Mechanics, Channels & Wind Shadow

Madeira's most consistent North Coast reef break, featuring hot showers, easy parking, oceanfront cafés, and support from Clube Naval de São Vicente.

TAKEOFF CAUTION: STEEP DROP OVER SHALLOW BOTTOM. WATCH YOUR DEPTH ON WIPEOUTS.

Intermediate to Advanced · Max 3.5m

Swell: 1m – 2.8m

SWELL WINDOW

NNW / N / NW (310° – 10°)

Angle: 310° – 360°

WIND SHADOW & SHELTER

S / SE / SW (Brisa de Vale de São Vicente) (Offshore)

Trade Wind & Orographic Shelter

SUBSTRATE & DEPTH

Basalt Reef Shelf with Rock Entry Channel

Volcanic Reef A-Frame (Long Right + Hollow Left)

SWELL CAPTURE (BLUE) & WIND SHADOW (EMERALD) COMPASS

Swell: 0° (N) · Wind: 165° (SSE)

HYDROGRAPHIC REFRACTION, TAKEOFF & EXIT CHANNEL PROFILE

Beach & Reef Bottom Profile

Wave Dynamics (Reef Break): Long-period groundswell trains (10s+) undergo immediate refraction upon contacting the submarine volcanic shelf, concentrating 45 kJ of wave energy onto the takeoff bowl while peeling cleanly. The adjacent entry channel drains water smoothly without dragging surfers into the impact zone.

1. GOLDEN ENTRY & EXIT PROTOCOL

Always use the rock entry channel in front of Clube Naval de São Vicente between 0.78m and 1.62m tide. During fast ebb tides (< -0.45 m/h), a strong outflow rip pulls through the channel.

Max High Tide: {tide}m: 1.62m•Min Low Tide: {tide}m: 0.78m

2. LOCAL WATER HAZARDS

•Outside the 0.78m–1.62m tide gate, the entry channel becomes shallow or surging
•Strong ebb rip current through the channel when tide drops faster than -0.45 m/h