The Secret Behind Portugal’s Monster Waves and how to Watch Them
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If you’ve ever dreamed of witnessing the raw power of the ocean, Nazaré, Portugal, is the place to be. This small fishing town is home to some of the world’s biggest waves, attracting fearless surfers and awestruck spectators every winter.
These monster waves—some reaching over 80 feet (24 meters)—are created by the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater abyss that amplifies the swells rolling in from the Atlantic. The result? A spectacle of nature that has cemented Nazaré’s reputation as the ultimate big-wave surfing destination.
Every season, legendary surfers like Garrett McNamara, Gabi, Kai Lenny, Justine Dupont, and many others that I have learned about while visiting this iconic place, take on these liquid giants, pushing the limits of what’s possible on a surfboard.
Even if you’re not a surfer, watching these waves crash against the cliffs from the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo is an unforgettable experience.
Visiting Nazaré, Portugal, Giant Waves has been on my bucket list forever, and last year I made it a reality. I spent two weeks in Nazaré waiting for the wave alerts, and I was lucky I got to see them twice and managed to capture amazing images of these mind-blowing natural events.
I was hooked, and after a three-week trip to the Algarve, I heard about another big swell happening on the day before my flight, and of course, I went back.
I am not embarrassed to say that watching and photographing these supernatural athletes riding these “Mountains of the Sea,” like Nic Von Rupp calls them, has become an addiction of mine, and I have already booked my trip next year. It will be for two months, and I hope to have more opportunities to capture them with my camera.
In this post, I will tell you all I know about it, the best way to see them, and how to know when it’s a good time. I will also share my best photos, and I hope you enjoy them. The photos are on sale, so if you particularly love any of them, let me know by email.
🌊 Why and How Do Nazaré’s Waves Get So Big? Facts
Nazaré’s legendary waves are no accident—they are the result of a unique underwater geological formation known as the Nazaré Canyon.
🔹 Nazaré Canyon: This is a massive underwater trench that plunges 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) deep and stretches for 230 kilometers (143 miles). The canyon acts as a funnel, accelerating and amplifying swells from the Atlantic, creating the gigantic waves that crash onto Praia do Norte.
🔹 Wave Amplification: Unlike normal beach breaks, where waves slow down as they hit the shallows, the Nazaré Canyon allows swells to maintain their speed and energy until they explode into the coastline.
🔹 Winter Swells: These monster waves are most common from October to March, when powerful North Atlantic storms send massive swells toward Portugal’s coast. However, this year (2025), they had a huge swell on August 26th thanks to Hurricane Erin that hit in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. But it’s very rare to have them in the summer.
📍 Best Time and Events to Capture Nazaré’s Big Waves
If you want to photograph the biggest waves, timing is everything. The Best Season: October to March, when winter storms create the biggest swells. However, it doesn’t happen every day, and you need to pay attention to the specific forecast.
Many channels monitor the waves and will be able to tell you as soon as they can forecast a new swell. So, if you don’t have much time off, you can wait for the next announcement before booking your flights. One of these is Gigantes de Nazaré.
Being low season in Portugal, you won’t have any issue in finding flights, car rental, and hotels, even if you book at the last minute. I do recommend renting a car, though, as it makes everything easier.
📍 Best Photography Locations in Nazaré
The first time I arrived, it took me a while to figure out where everything was happening. I even ended up on the wrong lane, following Google Maps. So, to spare you the same frustration, here’s exactly how to get there.
If you’re driving, ensure you set your navigation to Farol de Nazaré. Don’t choose Praia do Norte—that will send you the wrong way. You can’t drive right up to the lighthouse, but the route will take you to the parking lot behind the church near the hospital.
It’s a one-way street, and if parking is full, you can circle around the Nazaré Sítio area and try the main square or nearby side streets.
Once parked, it’s just a short walk to the beginning of the pedestrian path, where you’ll find a food kiosk and public restrooms. Before you head straight to the lighthouse, take a moment to look around—the views over Nazaré’s beach’ll blow you away.
And trust me, those views will stay with you the entire time you’re here.
The path to the Farol offers numerous natural lookout points, perfect for watching the giant waves and the incredible athletes who dare to ride them. On my very first giant-wave day, I went early—around 8 a.m.—and instantly spotted the best vantage points.
How did I know? They were already packed with pro photographers lugging giant lenses, radio station crews, local fans, and a few lucky tourists who just happened to be there at the right time.
There was a buzz in the air, with everyone’s eyes fixed on the same spot—just behind the red lighthouse—waiting for that perfect moment. I couldn’t believe I was finally there, at a place I had dreamed of visiting for so long. I knew my gear wasn’t enough to capture the classic “money shot” I had in mind, but I was determined to get some great photos anyway.
At first, I hesitated to move. If all the top photographers were set up there, it had to be the best spot, right? Still, curiosity got the better of me. A couple of hours later, I wandered down the hill and found closer viewpoints, where it was easier to photograph the surfers directly. I missed out on the iconic angles—the ones where the giant wave looms dramatically behind the red lighthouse, making it look like it could swallow it whole, but it was worth it.
Giant Waves Photography trick
I have been wanting to take the same surf magazine-style iconic picture of that giant wave about to swallow the entire lighthouse, and although I managed to get something similar, as you can see, it’s not what I had in mind. But there is a technical reason.
What you are seeing is just an optical illusion—similar to those photos where the moon looks bigger than a tree. To pull it off, you need distance from the lighthouse and a powerful telephoto lens, ideally 600mm. My lens was 200mm on a full-frame camera, so no luck there (I’ll share more on the best lenses for shooting Nazaré waves below).
Still, even without the “monster” shots, it was unforgettable. The waves that day were huge, but not the record-breaking monsters Nazaré is famous for. And honestly? I didn’t mind. Being there in that atmosphere, surrounded by the energy of the ocean and the excitement of the crowd, was more than enough.
Having said that, here is where to capture the drama and scale of Nazaré’s waves, head to these locations:
📍 Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo – The most famous viewpoint! It sits on the cliffs directly above Praia do Norte, giving a stunning perspective of surfers dropping into massive waves. You can see it from the top of the hill on your way down. The fort is home to the giant waves museum, where you can admire iconic surfboards and pictures of famous surfers who managed to get the highest waves in the world. There is also a room dedicated to the scientific explanation of how the Giant waves form.
📍 Praia do Norte Beach – From the Fort of São Miguel, you will see a short trail that leads down to Praia do Norte. Everywhere along that trail or on the Beach itself can be a great spot. I have never gone all the way down to the beach because I feel it’s too low to see anything, but maybe I am wrong. I will try it out next year as I will be back in Nazaré. (of course!)
📍 From the Sitio da Nazaré Viewpoint to the Lighthouse area– this is the area I was talking about at the beginning of this post, where I found a professional photographer sitting with their huge camera waiting for the Monster waves. All that area right and left of the path to the lighthouse has amazing spots.
🎟️ Top Big Waves Events in Nazare
🏆 WSL Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge – A high-adrenaline competition where elite big-wave surfers tow into waves using jet skis. Typically held between November and February, depending on swell conditions. They decide the exact dates at the last minute when they are certain that the weather conditions are favorable.
🏆 Big Wave Awards – Nazaré has been featured in many World Surf League (WSL) Big Wave Awards, recognizing surfers who ride the tallest waves.
🏆 Red Bull Big Wave Challenge – Occasionally, Nazaré is included in global big-wave events sponsored by Red Bull, featuring some of the world’s most daring surfers.
🚤 The Role of Jet Skiers in Big Wave Surfing
Unlike normal surfing, where athletes paddle into waves, Nazaré’s waves are so powerful that surfers need to be towed in by jet skis.
Tow-In Surfing is when Jet ski drivers (often former surfers themselves) tow surfers into waves at high speed, allowing them to catch waves that would be impossible to paddle into.
The ability of Jet skiers is essential for the surfer to catch the right wave in the right spot, but also to get rescued if anything goes south.
Jet skis also play a crucial role in rescuing surfers. If a surfer wipes out, the ski team races in to pick them up before the next monster wave arrives. Without them, Nazaré’s waves would be too dangerous, if not impossible, to surf.
Every pro surfer at Nazaré relies on a highly trained jet ski partner, often making split-second decisions to avoid disaster.
That’s why Jet skiers deserve the utmost respect and admiration as much as the surfers, although they never get any medals.
In Nazaré, one of the most acclaimed Jet Skiers is the local Sergio Cosme. You can read more about him and other skiers and surfers in the book NAZARÉ, written by Matt Majendie, an American journalist who spent a season in the area to interview athletes and all the people who “live for” the waves. I read it, it’s very intriguing and interesting to learn about what’s behind these admirable adrenaline-seekers and wave chasers.
📷 Best Camera Gear & Settings for Nazaré Wave Photography
📷 Recommended Camera & Lenses
✅ Camera: A fast-action camera with excellent autofocus, such as:
- Canon R5 (45MP, excellent autofocus)
- Sony A7R IV (61MP, high resolution)
- Nikon Z9 (incredible burst mode and speed)
✅ Lens:
- 70-200mm f/2.8 – Perfect for capturing surfers from the fort or cliff viewpoints (that’s what I have).
- 100-400mm or 600mm – Great for zooming in on wave details and surf action.
🔧 Best Camera Settings
✔ Shutter Speed: 1/1000s or faster to freeze wave motion.
✔ Aperture: f/8 for a sharp depth of field.
✔ ISO: Keep it low (ISO 100) for clear images.
✔ Burst Mode: Use continuous shooting to capture fast-moving waves.
✔ Polarizing Filter: Reduces glare and enhances contrast in ocean photography.
⚠️ Safety Tips for Wave Photographers
⚠ Keep a Safe Distance! Nazaré’s waves are unpredictable and incredibly powerful. Do not approach any unstable cliffs too closely and respect the safety signs.
⚠ Use a Tripod with a Telephoto Lens. The waves move fast, and a steady setup is key.
⚠ Check the Surf Forecast. Websites like Magicseaweed, Windguru, and Surfline provide up-to-date swell predictions.
What to wear if you spend a day watching Nazaré Waves
Dress for the Weather. Winter in Nazaré can be cold and windy. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and good hiking shoes for the cliff areas.
At the same time, if you are lucky, it can get hot at times, so the best approach is to dress in layers: a t-shirt, a thermal layer, a sweater, a light jacket, and a raincoat. That was my outfit, and I was just fine.
