Baleal Beach
Baleal Beach
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Baleal Beach and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
146 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
832 reviews
Excellent
512
Very good
270
Average
39
Poor
6
Terrible
5
RLA1016
Charleston, SC87 contributions
Dec 2022
Simply beautiful! A really stunning beach, great for surfers and walking. From there a drive around Peniche gives a wonderful flavor of the Portuguese coastline. We were there on a chilly winter day and there were several surfers in the water and beach visitors so I can only imagine how busy it is during the summer! There is free parking right by the beach and some information plaques in front of the beach.
Written January 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ricardo
183 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
Came with the family and we had a great day.
The beach is quite big with plenty of space for everyone to be well over 2m apart due to covid19.
Parking wasn't an issue, we arrived around 11 and there was lots of space, at least during weekdays on vacation.
Lots of surfers here as it's a hotspot for surfing.
Water is a bit cold, not that bad really, but once you get in you're good.
Highly recommended, will come again!
The beach is quite big with plenty of space for everyone to be well over 2m apart due to covid19.
Parking wasn't an issue, we arrived around 11 and there was lots of space, at least during weekdays on vacation.
Lots of surfers here as it's a hotspot for surfing.
Water is a bit cold, not that bad really, but once you get in you're good.
Highly recommended, will come again!
Written September 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ivo Carneiro De Sousa
Macau, China146 contributions
Aug 2019
In the Baleal, you don't get one but two beautiful twin beaches: one more quiet for families and kids, the other one more wild and appealing to surfers. An old geological feature creates an island' alike in the form of a small peninsula dividing the sandy coast into two contiguous beaches looking east and west. It is a charming place, right sandy spot, and gorgeous seawater. The primary constraint is the very poor infrastructures: disabled car parking, dirty accesses, lack of basic washrooms, and showers. In parallel, the beaches are too crowded, and constructions in the area spread as rabbits: the wrong away to promote sustainable tourism.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Travel_Girl_Reviews
London, UK455 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
What beautiful beaches!!
The water is cool (not cold) and so it so lovely and refreshing. There is plenty of place to sit and stay for the day.
Here you will find a spot for surfers, body boards and swimming.
There is a rip which you need to take care of but it is well sign-boarded. There are life guards on patrol as well.
There is free parking about 10 mins walk away.
The water is cool (not cold) and so it so lovely and refreshing. There is plenty of place to sit and stay for the day.
Here you will find a spot for surfers, body boards and swimming.
There is a rip which you need to take care of but it is well sign-boarded. There are life guards on patrol as well.
There is free parking about 10 mins walk away.
Written August 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Giuseppe
Catania, Italy983 contributions
Dec 2019
Ilha de Baeal from above!
More on instagram: @giuseppecannavoo
Easy to access by car, not many parking places and much more enjoyable in low season. There are a few bars but there are mostly only houses and accommodations.
Before the "entrance" to the island you can also find some surf school.
It's very windy but still an amazing location where to watch the sunset. If you're into aerial photography such as me be aware of the seagulls, there're a lot of them here.
More on instagram: @giuseppecannavoo
Easy to access by car, not many parking places and much more enjoyable in low season. There are a few bars but there are mostly only houses and accommodations.
Before the "entrance" to the island you can also find some surf school.
It's very windy but still an amazing location where to watch the sunset. If you're into aerial photography such as me be aware of the seagulls, there're a lot of them here.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RoxyRennie
Suider Paarl, South Africa9 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Gorgeous beaches. Restaurants a little pricey. To me side there is a great beach for surfing and body boarding from beginners to intermediate. To the other side a gorgeous beach for younger families with smaller children and Perfect water for SUP. Parking easy with direct access to beach. Surf side was quite full. Plenty loungers available for relaxing
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Keith D
Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom1 contribution
Oct 2014 • Friends
Went surfing here a week ago and whilst the surf can be superb and the location with its choice of beaches is excellent, tourists should be extremely careful when visiting the car park.
Car break-ins are common however the police and local businesses appear to be doing little to address this. All the beach car parks around peniche have a problem with car break-ins yet there are no CCTV or signs warning of this.
If you do go leave no valuables in the car, it is much safer to take them onto the beach or leave at you accommodation. A lesson I have learned after being the victim of a car break in, and having lost over £1000 in goods (phone, camera) and lost a day to replace passports.
Everyone locally appears to know about the problem but nothing appears to be done to advise visitors of this.
I would say that the owners of the Piranha Restaurant were very helpful and even escorted me to the police office in Peniche.
Car break-ins are common however the police and local businesses appear to be doing little to address this. All the beach car parks around peniche have a problem with car break-ins yet there are no CCTV or signs warning of this.
If you do go leave no valuables in the car, it is much safer to take them onto the beach or leave at you accommodation. A lesson I have learned after being the victim of a car break in, and having lost over £1000 in goods (phone, camera) and lost a day to replace passports.
Everyone locally appears to know about the problem but nothing appears to be done to advise visitors of this.
I would say that the owners of the Piranha Restaurant were very helpful and even escorted me to the police office in Peniche.
Written October 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paulo Santos
Luanda, Angola41 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
Its a miracle of nature, one of the best beaches of Portugal.
Lots of space to stay, good for families, surf.
Nice pubs and restaurants.
Lots of space to stay, good for families, surf.
Nice pubs and restaurants.
Written September 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pod30
Chickerell, UK17 contributions
Too many people traveling to "Peniche" to surf think the surf is actually in Peniche and stay there.
In fact, the center of surfing in this fantastically consistent area is Baleal - a small town about 10 minutes drive from Peniche. If you want to surf this area, Baleal is - without doubt - the place to stay. It's in and around Baleal that you will do 99% of your surfing. If you stay in Peniche (as too many surfers do) you will find yourself in a car/bus driving back and forth to Baleal everyday.
Best Breaks
Baleal has the most consistent of all the breaks (Cantinho Da Baia) on its doorstep and the excellent reef break Lagide just two minutes walk away. Red Rocks - another excellent but less sheltered beach break - is just another 10 minutes up from Lagide. Supertubos (the most famous break in the area but one that only rarely works well) is a 15 minute drive.
I've been to the area every August for three weeks for the last four years and there has been a rideable wave almost every day. It's because Baleal is on a peninsular within the bigger Peniche peninsular that it gets the most consistent swell. Supertubos is great when it goes off but is hugely competitive with locals and rarely breaks well anyway.
Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay but I would recommend calling the Baleal Surfcamp before heading up there. The Baleal surf camp was the first to open in the area and so got the best spot on the beach - a v cool surf station and bar literally overlooking the main break.
They have special special surf houses of their own just above the beach (great fun) but also offer access to all sorts of other types of accommodation if you want to be by yourself. The two brothers who run it are v friendly and happy to help.
I have never had lessons at the surf camp but the people I've met who have also swear by their surf school. In the summers they seem to pull in surfers from all round the world to help teach.
In fact, the center of surfing in this fantastically consistent area is Baleal - a small town about 10 minutes drive from Peniche. If you want to surf this area, Baleal is - without doubt - the place to stay. It's in and around Baleal that you will do 99% of your surfing. If you stay in Peniche (as too many surfers do) you will find yourself in a car/bus driving back and forth to Baleal everyday.
Best Breaks
Baleal has the most consistent of all the breaks (Cantinho Da Baia) on its doorstep and the excellent reef break Lagide just two minutes walk away. Red Rocks - another excellent but less sheltered beach break - is just another 10 minutes up from Lagide. Supertubos (the most famous break in the area but one that only rarely works well) is a 15 minute drive.
I've been to the area every August for three weeks for the last four years and there has been a rideable wave almost every day. It's because Baleal is on a peninsular within the bigger Peniche peninsular that it gets the most consistent swell. Supertubos is great when it goes off but is hugely competitive with locals and rarely breaks well anyway.
Accommodation
There are lots of places to stay but I would recommend calling the Baleal Surfcamp before heading up there. The Baleal surf camp was the first to open in the area and so got the best spot on the beach - a v cool surf station and bar literally overlooking the main break.
They have special special surf houses of their own just above the beach (great fun) but also offer access to all sorts of other types of accommodation if you want to be by yourself. The two brothers who run it are v friendly and happy to help.
I have never had lessons at the surf camp but the people I've met who have also swear by their surf school. In the summers they seem to pull in surfers from all round the world to help teach.
Written September 26, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paulo C
23 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
So, if you, like us, want a beach just for pleasure, walking by the sea, a lot of swim, just don't go to this beach. You'll regret, just because of the number of surfers, surf schools and so on. You'll never find a good spot for swim, because the water is full of people trying to surf, and shooting a lot of photos and movies, just to show back home.
This beach was a family spot, not too many years ago, but the surf is now a plague.
So you can try a little north, by the sea side, sure you find a lot of little beaches, with good spots for a sea bath and swim.
This beach was a family spot, not too many years ago, but the surf is now a plague.
So you can try a little north, by the sea side, sure you find a lot of little beaches, with good spots for a sea bath and swim.
Written July 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
gaildevonshirelass
Pedrogao Pequeno, Portugal307 contributions
HI, Are dogs allowed on Baleal Beach ( surfer side)?. I see this question has been asked before but no answer given. Hope someone can give insight? Thank you.
gaildevonshirelass
Pedrogao Pequeno, Portugal307 contributions
Did you find the answer? I also have this question?
Mirunna
Coimbra, Portugal
Are dogs allowed on the beach?
I plan to go there with my dog this summer and I can't seem to find any info on weather it's ok or are there any restrictions.
Elena C
13 contributions
Здравствуйте! Подскажите пожалуйста, где-то на пляже можно взять зонты и лежаки? Бывают ли при отелях?
Заранее спасибо!
FrancescaToronto
Toronto, Canada5 contributions
How far to Lisbon or Albefeira
jumblemo
London, UK138 contributions
It's about 1 hour and 15 minutes North of Lisbon by car. It's over 3 hours from Albufeira.
Ted T
1 contribution
Where can four people stay for two nights on July 16-17 and learn to surf?
Baleal Beach (Peniche) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Baleal Beach
- Baleal Beach is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- We recommend booking Baleal Beach tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Baleal Beach tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Baleal Beach:
- (0.07 mi) Gabana Baleal Beach
- (0.18 mi) Baleal Surf Camp
- (0.08 mi) Ferrel Surf School
- (0.13 mi) The Salty Pelican Yoga & Surf Retreat Peniche
- (0.36 mi) Captain's Log House
- Restaurants near Baleal Beach:
- (0.08 mi) Gabana Baleal Beach
- (0.10 mi) Bar da Praia
- (0.17 mi) Bar do Bruno
- (0.13 mi) Danau Beach Bar
- (0.13 mi) Altterego Baleal
- Attractions near Baleal Beach:
- (0.00 mi) Waterlost Shop / Surfschool
- (0.10 mi) Naturexperience
- (0.04 mi) Surf Discovery
- (0.10 mi) Bar Da Praia Baleal
- (0.24 mi) Drop Surf Center