FUN FACT TONEL
From Tonel, you can see the ‘Fortaleza de Sagres’. Although the sight itself is not that spectacular, it’s historical value is enormous. The explorations of the west African coast lead from here, started the golden age for Portugal.
Surf Tonel
Tonel is one of the most popular surf beaches in the Sagres area and has unique qualities due to it’s specific location. The peaks are spread over the full length of the beach, offering different types of waves. Depending on the swell this beach break ranges from beginner friendly to stuff for pro’s only. There are some tricky rocks under water so make sure you know where they hide.
General information
The surf beach of Tonel is located just outside the Sagres town center and easy to get to by car. There is quite a bit of parking space on either side of the road leading up to this beach and at the pottery shop at the top of the beach. In summer a cute little beach bar with terrace and (mobile) toilet are opened alongside a surf shack for board rentals. Lifeguards keep an eye on the summer crowds as well.
When is the surf best at Tonel
Thanks to Sagres’ location in the south-westerly point of the Algarve coastline, it’s beaches have unique locations as well. Praia Tonel, although technically still on the south coast, is a beach that faces west and slightly south. This makes it slightly less of a wave magnet then other west coast beaches on the common north-west swells but don’t let this fact fool you. The waves here are powerful and if the swell hits it right Tonel will show its teeth. It can hold up to over 10ft waves even though it is a beach break. But in summer you will usually find it to be quite friendly. A big rock formation divides the beach in the middle and offers rips that are great when you know how to use them. The peaks to the right of this rock are usually a bit smaller but also punchier then the ones on the left.
Surf risk factors at Tonel
The main surf risk at Tonel is the few hidden rocks. The rock formation in the middle stands out clearly but some smaller rocks are scattered off it and start to scratch surface on the lower tides. Be aware of their whereabouts just like those in the shorebreak on the right hand side of the rock formation. When the swell becomes somewhat bigger, local (body)boarders will be ripping these waves. Always make sure to respect them and give them space. As usual, keep an eye out for rips, especially when the waves get bigger and near the rocks.
Other surf beaches around Sagres:
Go with a surfguide to hit Tonel at the right time
Surf Tonel blog
Tonel on fire…
Tonel Sagres mission Sometimes your just super lucky. With a south african dude with some serious skills (and a very good sense of humor) the mission was on. As always with a bigger swell on the forecast you never know exactly what to expect. All we know is that most...
Tonel winter surf
Tonel surf, When do you show up at Tonel. A very fragile spot with sometimes epic surf and sometimes the biggest rips, wind and shifty board breaking waves. That being said, it can be super fun to share some good size waves in between the beautiful cliffs of the...
Tonel surf, just a little bigger…
Tonel surf, With our french surfguide guest on board, who brought 8 semi-guns for his trip, it is clear we had to search for some real waves. The surf forecast looked very promising even for the south coast, but the plan was to go to Sagres. It was the day off for...
Surf Tonel with French company
Surf Tonel, Its always nice to mix up surfspots. In the Algarve we have so many different beaches and breaks. The waves can be small on the one beach and big on the other. Us surfers are usually looking for the perfect in between. Not too small, not too big. Today we...
Tonel Small summer waves
Small waves, If you have read a few of these blogs, you know it by now. We like all kinds of waves. As long as it's salty and wet, produced by the ocean and big enough to stand up on we're on it. The request was to find a somewhat smaller wave for our surfguide ...
Surf at Tonel Lunch at the end of the world
Surf in Tonel, Its very rare I have a day off. Normally when I have or take a ''off-day'' the wind is howling and I go windsurfing/kiting, not today. Today my guests asked me if I would mind to skip one day cause they were so tired of the previous 5 days of surfing...
Tonel showing her teeth
Tonel has a lot of faces This beach in summer can be the ideal place for families with kids playing in the surf. Surfschools take advantage of the protection of the rocks and being right in front of Sagres, a perfect place for non-surfers too. But this day was...
Finding Easter Bombs at the end of the world
Easter 2018 on the most South West tip of the world: When we were younger (éven younger, cán you imagine!) We had a tradition to hide chocolate eggs and try to find them after. Partly because the chocolate eggs here are extremely expensive, partly because the eggs...
Private surf guide trip to empty Tonel
When the surf shop called to ask if I was in for some surf guiding the next day I was absolutely stoked to the max. And not just because February is one of the slowest months here. It might be hard to believe but really, every time someone that wants to come guiding...