The competition arena and the friendliest of the Reserve's waves, a long, forgiving right that suits improvers and pros alike.
Ribeira d'Ilhas is the wave that put Ericeira on the world map. It has hosted international competitions for decades thanks to its remarkably reliable swell window, and on the right day it peels for a hundred metres or more beneath the cliffs.
The takeoff is mellow enough for confident beginners on the inside, while the outside section rewards longer, faster lines. Paddle out from the boulder beach at the base of the access road; there is a large car park above, though it fills by mid-morning in summer.
Because it works across most tides and handles size well, it is the first spot most visitors should check. Watch from the clifftop Miradouro before you commit, it reads the crowd and the sets at a glance.
