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.

ATTENTION AU TAKEOFF : PENTE RAIDE SUR FOND ROCHEUX PEU PROFOND. SAUTEZ LOIN DES ROCHERS EN CAS DE CHUTE.

Intermediate to Advanced · Max 3.5m

Swell: 1m – 2.8m

FENÊTRE DE HOULE

NNW / N / NW (310° – 10°)

Angle: 310° – 360°

PROTECTION CONTRE LE VENT

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

Trade Wind & Orographic Shelter

NATURE DU FOND ET PROFONDEUR

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

Dynamique de la Vague (Fond Rocheux (Reef Break)) : Les trains de houle longue (10s+) subissent une réfraction immédiate au contact du plateau volcanique sous-marin, concentrant 45 kJ d'énergie sur la zone de take-off tout en déroulant proprement. Le chenal adjacent évacue l'eau avec fluidité sans aspirer les surfeurs vers la zone d'impact.

1. RÈGLE D'OR POUR ENTRER ET SORTIR

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.

Pleine Mer Max : {tide}m: 1.62m•Basse Mer Min : {tide}m: 0.78m

2. DANGERS LOCAUX DU SPOT

•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