What we’re watching
Surf’s up
Few places capture the imagination of ocean lovers and adrenaline seekers like Nazaré, a coastal village on Portugal’s North Atlantic shore. At first glance the town is quietly picturesque, but each winter Praia do Norte (North Beach) becomes the stage for some of the planet’s most spectacular big-wave surfing. A dramatic underwater drop-off and steady offshore winter winds combine to form walls of water that can tower more than 80 feet, drawing elite surfers and support teams from around the world who chase the ultimate goal: conquering a 100-foot wave.
That pursuit is the focus of a recent six-part HBO documentary series that immerses viewers in the culture, risk and raw beauty of big-wave surfing at Nazaré. Filmed in ultra-high definition with drones, helicopters and shore-based photographers, the series presents wide, cinematic shots of monstrous swells and close, human moments that reveal the technical skill, preparation and courage required to surf them. Beyond the spectacle, the show explores the community that forms around these waves—the surfers, tow-in teams, safety crews and local residents—offering a look at how a remote beach becomes a global magnet each winter.
For anyone interested in ocean sports, extreme adventure, or the interplay of human determination and natural forces, the series is compelling viewing. You can stream the documentary on HBO Max, where its breathtaking cinematography and storytelling bring the scale and danger of Nazaré to life for a broad audience.
More salty reads
Seadreams
Eloquence of the Sardine: Extraordinary Encounters Beneath the Sea by Bill François is a lively and thoughtful exploration of marine life that goes well beyond its playful title. The book is not about the culinary role of sardines but about the surprising lives and behaviors of a wide range of sea creatures, from whales and eels to cod, herring, and luminous jellyfish. Across its pages the author blends mythology, modern science and vivid storytelling to animate species that most readers rarely think about in depth. François has a knack for making complex biology accessible and engaging, and he brings attention to both the familiar and the obscure: whale song and deep-sea light shows are described with equal wonder, while lesser-noted animals like lobsters, scallops and seahorses receive sympathetic, almost personal portraits.
The book also weaves in memorable anecdotes, including a story about herring that nearly led to a geopolitical incident, underlining how marine life can influence human history in unexpected ways. At 192 pages, this title is approachable for curious readers and enthusiasts of marine science alike, offering a mix of concise science, cultural history and lyrical observation. (Price: $27, St. Martin’s Press)
Accidental Misfortune
Many readers will recognize the story of The Perfect Storm, the harrowing account of the late-October nor’easter that struck the North Atlantic, but there are lesser-known perspectives that add depth to that event. One such narrative appears in Nelson Simon’s Soul of the Hurricane: The Perfect Storm and an Accidental Sailor, which recounts his own experience aboard the Anne Kristine, a vessel that became part of the broader story of that infamous storm. While the drama surrounding the sinking of the swordfishing boat Andrea Gale has become widely known through book and film adaptations, Simon’s memoir offers a different vantage point: a last-minute crewmember thrust into a perilous voyage, confronted with extreme weather and life-or-death decisions at sea.
Simon’s account combines personal reflection with a clear-eyed recounting of events, including the tense Coast Guard rescue that ultimately saved the crew of the Anne Kristine. His narrative underscores how quickly routine seafaring can turn dangerous, and how training, teamwork and timely intervention by rescuers can make the difference between tragedy and survival. The book reads as both a maritime memoir and a tribute to those who risk themselves to save others during oceanic emergencies. (Price: $28, Chicago Review Press)