While it may not be quite off the surf map, Madeira is far from being a destination on every surfer's list. I remember my first introduction to the islands back in the early 90s. The island went unnamed in a cover feature, in one of the major surf magazines. The cover wave alone was worth a thousand words. It was a photo taken from the lip, looking down on Shane Dorian as he cranked a huge bottom turn on a beefy righthander at one of the island's better known spots. The unique camera angle also gave you a fine view of the bottom, where you can see Shane carving his turn just a few feet above boulders the size of Volkswagon Bugs. From that moment on, Madeira was on my surf map, though I didn't uncover the name of the island until a couple of years later.
Though it has often been labeled as a place that is big or bust, a few spots around the island can hold when there is less than gigantic surf. There's plenty of info online about getting there, getting around and when and where to surf. Like most places in Western Europe, Madeira particularly lights up in the fall, but waves can be found throughout the year, given it's open ocean location. The place might get a little more press this year, as it remains a possible location for the Rip Curl Somewhere contest, which has been disclosed as Somewhere in Europe.
A trip to Madeira, if you catch it right, could very well be one of your most memorable. Get off the surf map and go explore.
Lovely Big Soft Waves but hardly North Shore?