The wild Atlantic waves that buffet the coast make the region a magnet for surfers. Possibly the coolest siblings in the Algarve, Marta and João Mealha founded the Freeride Surf School in 2002 on the golden sands of Praia da Cordoama. Along with coach Tatiana Alexandre and surf-loving labrador Maika, they’re one of several surf schools dotted along the coast, offering a windswept introduction to the Portuguese coast to novice and seasoned surfers alike. There’s no shortage of spots to grab a board and take to the water, including picture-perfect Odeceixe Beach: a golden flank of sand, ringed by the Ribeira de Seixe river and fanned by curling, white waves.
