What to pack for an Ericeira surf trip
Wetsuit thickness by season, wind layers, reef booties and sun protection, plus what you can simply rent locally instead of hauling from home.
The Atlantic off Ericeira is cool all year, ranging from around 14°C in winter to 18°C in late summer, and the coast is often windy. That combination catches out surfers who pack for a warm-water trip. Get your kit right and you will surf longer and more comfortably. The good news is that almost everything is available to rent locally, so you can travel light and still be prepared.
Your wetsuit is the decision that matters most, and thickness depends on the season. In summer a 3/2 suit is the standard choice, and some people even manage a shorty on the warmest days. In spring and autumn most surfers move to a 3/2 or a 4/3 depending on the week. In winter, from roughly December to March, a 4/3 is normal and you will want boots.
For the coldest, deepest winter sessions, some surfers add a hood and gloves, though many manage without. If you feel the cold, pack them, they weigh nothing and a warm head changes a long session completely. If you run warm, you can probably skip them and rely on a good 4/3.
Reef booties deserve their own mention. Many of Ericeira’s best waves, especially the northern points, break over rock and urchins, and thin neoprene boots protect your feet on the entry and exit. Even at the sandier beaches there are rocky sections. If you plan to surf the reefs at all, bring or rent a pair, your feet will thank you.
Do not underestimate the wind. Ericeira gets a persistent north wind, the nortada, especially on summer afternoons, and it can feel cold the moment you leave the water. Pack a genuinely windproof jacket, a warm layer or two for after your surf, and a beanie. A changing robe or poncho makes getting in and out of a wetsuit in a windy car park far more civilised.
Then there is the board question. If you have a board you love and know how to travel with it, bring it, but board bags are bulky, airlines charge for them, and dings happen in transit. For a first trip, or if you are unsure of conditions, renting locally is often the smarter move. Shops and schools have wide ranges, and you can match your board to the day rather than the airline.
Sun protection matters more than the cool air suggests. The Atlantic sun is strong even when the temperature is mild, and you will be exposed for hours. Pack a high-factor, water-resistant sunscreen, ideally reef-safe, and consider zinc for your face and a rashguard for extra cover. Reapply after a long session, the wind hides how much sun you are getting.
Round out your surf kit with the small things that are easy to forget. Bring wax suited to cool or cold water rather than tropical, a spare leash, basic ding repair for emergencies, and earplugs if you surf often, cold water and wind are a known cause of surfer’s ear over time. None of it takes up space, and all of it can save a session.
Off the beach, pack for a mild, changeable maritime climate. Casual layers work best, with a warm top for evenings that cool down quickly and a rain jacket if you are visiting outside summer. Comfortable shoes matter, the old town is cobbled and hilly, and you will walk more than you expect between beaches, restaurants and viewpoints.
A few practical extras round things off. A refillable water bottle keeps you hydrated between sessions, a small dry bag protects your phone and keys at the beach, and a compact first-aid kit with plasters and antiseptic covers the reef cuts that come with rocky spots. A microfibre towel dries fast in the wind, and a second set of dry clothes in the car means you are never stuck shivering after a session.
Finally, remember what you can rent. Wetsuits, boards and often booties are all available in town, and surf schools provide everything for lessons. That means the essentials to actually pack from home are simple: sun protection, wind layers, comfortable shoes, and any personal gear you trust. Everything else, you can pick up when you arrive.