Now? More and more of them are looking to Europe instead.

And at the heart of that shift is Nazaré. A once-quiet fishing town just north of Lisbon that’s become the go-to spot for some of the biggest waves on Earth.

From overlooked to world-famous

It didn’t happen overnight. According to British big-wave surfer Andrew Cotton, Nazaré wasn’t always taken seriously within the surf world.

In fact, for years, it was largely ignored by hardcore surf communities, even as it began to appear in mainstream media.

A big reason? The sport was heavily US-focused.

Many simply didn’t believe Europe could produce waves that rivalled, or even surpassed, those in places like Hawaii or California.

That started to change around 2015–2016, when more American surfers showed up, and the World Surf League held its first major paddle event there. From that moment on, Nazaré was impossible to ignore.

Why surfers are choosing Nazaré

For surfers chasing huge waves, consistency is everything, and that’s where Nazaré stands out.

Cotton explains that during trips to Hawaii, he might only catch a couple of days with waves over 15 feet.

In Nazaré, those conditions are almost routine.

And when it really fires? Waves can reach mind-blowing heights of 20, 25, or even close to 30 meters.

That kind of regular exposure doesn’t just thrill surfers; it also helps them improve faster.

As Cotton puts it, it’s “without a doubt the most consistent big-wave spot on the planet.”

The science behind the monster waves

What makes Nazaré so unique isn’t just luck, it’s geography.

Just off the coast, there’s a huge underwater canyon that drops down to around 5km. It basically acts like a natural wave machine, pulling in Atlantic swells and boosting their power. This is how Nazaré gets those insane, towering waves.

The big-wave season usually runs from October to March, and during that time, events like the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge draw surfers and spectators from around the world.

More than just surfing

Nazaré’s rise hasn’t only changed the sport, it has transformed the town itself.

One standout example is the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, once a military site and later used by the navy.

Today, it’s one of Portugal’s most visited attractions.

Inside, you’ll find surfboards from legendary riders, exhibits explaining the science behind the waves, and incredible photos capturing the sheer scale of Nazaré’s swells.

Nearby, the Carsurf - Centro de Alto Rendimento de Surf provides top-level facilities for athletes, complete with accommodation, training areas, and recovery spaces — a sign of how serious the scene has become.