
Surf Forecasts:
Alfagar surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, NW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 10s period, NW swell with 441 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 10 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Alfagar this week:
The surf forecast for Alfagar over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 12s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Alfagar in the next 16 days are 1.6m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 10th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Alfagar over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s have a look at the run ahead for Alfagar. It’s a reef setup, and it’s inconsistent, so it’s not the kind of place that fires all the time. The water temperature is sitting at 70°, which is about 1° cooler than what’s normal for this time of year—so nothing wild, just a touch on the average side.
Honestly, the next week and a half is a bit of a drag. The first few days are a no-go: Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th have some weak swell, but the wind is all over the place, and the energy is just not there. The combined energy on Wednesday morning is only 45 (weak), and even when it bumps to 105 on Wednesday afternoon, the wind is a messy cross-off and the waves are poor. Friday the 11th through to Sunday the 14th are all small and messy, with swell heights barely scraping 2 ft and energy under 100 most of the time. You’ll be waiting a long time for a set that’s not worth the paddle.
Now, there’s a little glimmer on Monday the 14th morning. The wind is a light cross-off from the NE, and the swell is 2 ft from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds—a bit of groundswell energy. The energy is 70 (moderate). It’s “surfable but very ordinary,” so don’t expect a classic, but it’s the cleanest window in a dry spell. The offshore breeze will keep the surface nice, but it’s tiny.
The real standout, if you’re patient, is Thursday the 17th morning. The wind goes glassy—absolutely dead calm. The swell is 2 ft from the WNW with a 10-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 109 (moderate). It’s not big, but it’s clean, and the direction is right for Alfagar’s optimum SW exposed reef. The sets will be small but lined up for the right take-off spot, and with no one likely to be out, it’s a quiet one. The afternoon goes onshore, though, so get in early.
After that, through the 18th to the 20th, it’s back to poor conditions—cross-shore winds and tiny waves. Then from the 21st of September, the swell picks up a notch: 3 ft on Monday morning, 3 ft through Tuesday, with energy hitting 219 (moderate) and even 222 (moderate) on Tuesday afternoon. But the wind is cross-onshore or onshore, making it choppy and messy. For a reef that’s already inconsistent, the quality is shot. The 23rd and 24th also have some moderate energy (114 and 104), but again, the wind is not cooperating.
So, to sum it up: the best bet in this 16-day window is Thursday the 17th morning. Glassy wind, 2 ft WNW swell, 109 energy, and it’s the one clean session. The 21st and 22nd have more size but the wind kills it. For a beginner, anything over 5 ft is too much, but nothing here gets above 3 ft, so it’s all small stuff. Long-period swells (like the 13-second one on Sunday the 13th afternoon) are groundswell, but with onshore wind and choppy conditions, it’s a waste. If you’re into kiting, the 21st and 22nd with moderate energy and cross-onshore winds might be more interesting than a paddle.
That’s the story, folks. Keep your eyes on the 17th.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 23°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Wed 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | ||||||||||||||
PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
105 | 98 | 73 | 52 | 34 | 21 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 113 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 28 | 55 | 60 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | off | off | cross-on | off | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | glassy | cross-off | cross-on | off |
High Tide | 2:22AM2.79m | 2:36PM3.12m | 3:01AM2.90m | 3:15PM3.17m | 3:38AM2.94m | 3:52PM3.13m | 4:13AM2.92m | 4:28PM3.01m | 4:46AM2.83m | 5:03PM2.81m | 5:20AM2.69m | 5:38PM2.58m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:13PM0.08m | 8:22AM0.17m | 8:52PM-0.03m | 9:00AM0.07m | 9:28PM-0.06m | 9:37AM0.04m | 10:02PM-0.01m | 10:12AM0.08m | 10:34PM0.12m | 10:47AM0.20m | 11:05PM0.29m | 11:21AM0.36m | 11:37PM0.50m | |||||||
— | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
7:50 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:40 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 28 | 19 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 25 | 31 | 29 | 25 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 15 | 26 | 27 | 20 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 29 | 28 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 8 | SE 7 | SE 6 | ESE 7 | ESE 6 | SE 5 | W 11 |
— | 3 | 73 | 52 | 34 | 21 | 11 | 49 | 102 | 63 | 201 | 215 | 140 | 181 | 99 | 46 | 32 | 24 | 7 | 10 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | W 12 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 10 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 6 | NW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 12 | SE 5 |
— | 3 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 113 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 28 | 3 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NW 10 | W 7 | SE 6 | W 7 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 7 | NW 16 | WNW 15 | WNW 13 | — | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 3 | NW 9 | W 12 | SE 4 |
— | — | — | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 21 | 35 | — | 28 | 26 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ESE 8 | — | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 8 | NW 7 |
105 | 98 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 383 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 55 | 60 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 400 | 0 | 0 | 660 | 69 | 61 | 69 | 52 | 15 | 50 | 3 | 8 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 33 | 69 | 614 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Algarve | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Alfagar Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Alfagar provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Alfagar can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Alfagar surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Alfagar) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Alfagar may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Alfagar is 3 km (2 miles) from Albufeira. If you plan a holiday in The Algarve, look for hotels and other accommodation in Albufeira. Albufeira has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










