Melides

Description of Melides (Portugal)

Melides is one of those spots that flies just under most people’s radars, which makes it a pretty sweet place to spend some solid kite hours, especially if you're looking to escape the more crowded scenes up in Costa da Caparica or further south in the Algarve. Located in Portugal's Alentejo region, the beach runs long, wide, and wild — it gives off that raw Atlantic energy without being too punchy, which works well if you're solid on your board but not out chasing massive barrels. The wave setup here is mellow overall, usually in the small to medium range, which can create nice ramps for some playful lip smacks, but it’s equally good for just carving around on directional boards. At the same time, you’ll find usable flat water sections depending on how the sandbanks shift with the season. That combo of wave and flat water keeps you from ever feeling boxed into one style. Winds come mostly from the north quadrant — N, NW, and NNW — and NW is the bread and butter here. That’s the wind you really want. It lines up well, gets thermally reinforced in the summer months, and holds steady from late morning into the afternoon. From May to September, the wind turns on with way more consistency, especially when inland temps pick up and drive that coastal breeze. You'll be looking at anything from 16 to 28 knots in good sessions. When I’ve been there in July and August, I’ve comfortably packed a 9- and 12-meter quiver and felt covered across most conditions.

The beach is massive, with soft sand ideal for rigging, and you rarely compete for space — this isn’t one of those tangled-line kind of spots. There are a few local schools in operation, so you'll spot some learners around, but nothing disruptive. The vibe on the beach is relaxed; there's a sense of space and nature that you really soak in, especially when you walk back up through the dunes after a session. Water quality is excellent — super clear Atlantic blue — but you’ll definitely want a wetsuit outside peak summer.

I usually wear a 3/2 shorty from late June through September but switch to a full 4/3 come spring and early fall sessions. Bottom’s mostly sand with some shallow channels, so you’ve got forgiving landings. Tide doesn’t dominate the session either — it’s essentially tide-independent, which opens your schedule up a lot. You can ride in both low and high without major impacts.

Getting there isn’t complex; from Lisbon, it’s about 1.5 hours by car. Take the A2 south and exit toward Grândola or via Setúbal and the Tróia ferry if you want a more scenic approach. Either route drops you into the heat of Alentejo’s coastal terrain. Once on-site, parking is easy, and you're rigged and on the water in no time. Post-session, the local village has some solid restaurants — definitely go for grilled robalo or anything seafood-related. So yeah, Melides has it: space, reliable wind, manageable waves, and a relaxed scene. It’s not trying to hype itself up — it’s just solid, trustworthy riding.