Nazare, Portugal

Nazare, Portugal, claims the Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed: an 86-foot monster ridden by Sebastian Steudtner in 2020. This feat is made possible by a deep underwater canyon that amplifies North Atlantic swells, producing waves exceeding 80 feet during winter storms from October through March — a size that outperforms #6 Bells Beach by over 70 feet. The Nazare Tow Surfing Challenge draws elite big-wave surfers to Praia do Norte each season, cementing its status as the ultimate big-wave destination.