Baleal Island

Baleal is a small island located 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) north of Peniche, in the western region of Portugal, separated from the mainland by a tombolo. At the extremity of the island one can find the inaccessible ilhota das Pombas and the ilhéu de Fora. Baleal has a past related to whaling. This small island was the site of the cutting and carving of whales on their migratory route to the northern seas.

A street sign in Baleal graffitied to emphasise its surfing connection

Located in the region of Peniche, Baleal has become a major vacation spot with a potential for water sports almost unmatched in Europe.[1][2] The coastal shape, namely the bay and northern strip of coast associated with Baleal create unique conditions in Europe for the practice of surfing and body boarding.