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.

CUIDADO EN EL TAKEOFF: BAJADA VERTICAL SOBRE FONDO BAJO. SALTA LEJOS DE LAS ROCAS EN LAS CAÍDAS.

Intermediate to Advanced · Max 3.5m

Swell: 1m – 2.8m

VENTANA DE ONDULACIÓN

NNW / N / NW (310° – 10°)

Angle: 310° – 360°

ABRIGO DEL VIENTO

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

Trade Wind & Orographic Shelter

FONDO Y PROFUNDIDAD

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

Mecánica de la Ola (Fondo de Roca (Reef Break)): Las series de mar de fondo de largo periodo (10s+) sufren refracción inmediata al contactar la plataforma volcánica submarina, concentrando 45 kJ de energía en la zona de despegue sin cerrar en barra. El canal adyacente drena el agua con fluidez sin arrastrar a los surfistas a la zona de impacto.

1. REGLA DE ORO DE ENTRADA Y SALIDA

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.

Pleamar Máxima: {tide}m: 1.62m•Bajamar Mínima: {tide}m: 0.78m

2. PELIGROS LOCALES EN EL AGUA

•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