- The view
- The bay and the pebble shore at Fajã da Areia, on the north coast in São Vicente.
- Useful for
- See if the sets are small enough to go in, or only worth watching from the promenade.
- It will not show
- The picture does not show what is under the water. The bottom is rock.
- The Pala rock roof and the inside of the club are outside the frame.
- The camera
- Image by Beachcam
- Getting there
- ER101 through São Vicente. Parking along the promenade. The way into the water is a slippery wooden stair.
Is the swell running onto the pebbles? This is not a learner beach when the sets are lined up.
You see the bay and the pebble shore. Not sand, and not a learner beach when the sets are lined up.
You see the bay and the pebble shore, not the inside of the club and not the Pala rock roof.
Shoes you can walk in, and something for the sun.
When to go
The camera looks at the bay and the pebble shore. If the whitewater is reaching the promenade, do not use the stairs. If the water is small and people are in it without being thrown at the rocks, it is a different afternoon. The sea here runs about 18°C in late winter and about 24°C in late summer. Funchal being calm does not make this bay calm.
The bay and the pebble shore at Fajã da Areia, in São Vicente. Not sand, and not a learner beach when the sets are lined up.
Loading live surf forecast...
If the sets are hitting the rocks, stay on the promenade. This is not a sandy learner's beach.
Fajã da Areia is on the north coast, in São Vicente. The shore is black volcanic pebbles, not sand. In a north swell the bay produces a wave that peels along the rocks. The bottom is boulders. That is a bad place to find out you cannot get back in.
The camera looks at the bay and the pebble shore. If the whitewater is reaching the promenade, do not use the stairs. If the water is small and people are in it without being thrown at the rocks, it is a different afternoon. The sea here runs about 18°C in late winter and about 24°C in late summer. Funchal being calm does not make this bay calm.
About this webcam
Quick facts
- Location: Fajã da Areia, Madeira
- Category: Surfing
- Best time to watch: Winter months for best surf; summer for calmer conditions
- Coordinates: 32.8000, -17.0500
Weather Information
Madeira has a mild climate year-round. Use the webcams for real-time conditions (visibility, sea state, wind).
About the area
This page belongs to the Surfing category in Madeira and groups 9 related webcams. Use the category link to explore nearby views and compare conditions.
Quick Tips for Visitors
- Check local visibility and ocean conditions via the webcam before heading out.
- Madeira weather changes fast: bring a light jacket.
- Respect signage and local guidance.
Highlights
- Beach break waves
- North coast exposure
- Scenic mountain backdrop
- Consistent surf
Nearby attractions
- São Vicente village
- Volcanic caves
- North coast levadas
Travel tips
- Use leash and suitable wetsuit.
- Respect lineup priority.
- Avoid heavy shorebreak above your level.