Portugal, the Atlantic coast, about 150 kilometers north of Lisbon, Praia do Norte, the bay of Nazarè is home to the largest waves in the world due to a particular and unique submarine conformation.

 

 

This bay is precisely the end point of an underwater canyon which is considered the longest in Europe 230 kilometers and 3 deep that culminates one kilometer from the beach, right in front of the lighthouse, today an amphitheater of this incredible spectacle that has not a fixed appointment but in the period from October to March can generate giant waves over 25 meters high.

 

Nazarè, a town that takes its name from the statue of a wooden virgin brought to Portugal from Nazareth by a monk in the fourth century. Until 2011 it was known only for its large fishing boats, but then the Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara for the first time decided to surf the giant waves of Nazarè by setting the record of 23.77 meters. From that moment Nazarè has turned into mania for surfers and surf fans from all over the world that started rushing to the Portuguese town to attend this unique world show. The current record is that of the Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa, an 80-foot wave, corresponding to 24.38 meters.

 

Epic day

On 17 February 2020,  was considered an epic day by experts in the sector, with waves exceeding twenty five meters and wind conditions not suitable because of its strength. Despite this surfers were there and surfed the incredible waves of Praia do Norte giving spectators a unique and unforgettable show.