
Surf Forecasts:
Castelejo surf forecast from 14 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Monday 20 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 6s period, NW swell with 157 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Castelejo this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Castelejo in the next 16 days are 1.4m 6s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Jul 20) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 13s period and expected on Thursday (Jul 16) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 20th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castelejo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you from the start: the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper surf at Castelejo. We’ve got a long, stubborn stretch of poor conditions ahead, so don’t get your hopes up.
The pattern is dominated by persistent cross-onshore and onshore winds, mostly from the NNW, with the swell staying small and weak for days. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.
We kick off on Tuesday the 14th with tiny 2ft NW swell and a meager 8-second period — combined energy is a weak 84. Morning sees a light breeze, but the afternoon turns ugly as the wind shifts WNW and the surf drops to 2ft. This is a no-go zone.
Wednesday the 15th through Friday the 17th is a write-off. Swell barely holds at 1ft to 3ft, periods are short (4 to 9 seconds), and the wind keeps hammering it from the NNW and N. The combined energy sits between 34 and 56 — that’s barely a ripple. The waves are choppy, lumpy, and just plain messy.
Saturday the 18th through Monday the 20th, we get a slight bump to 3ft–4ft, but the period is still short (5–6 seconds) and the cross-onshore wind is relentless. Energy climbs a bit to 114–115, but it’s still poor surf — moderate cross-onshore chop. Not worth paddling out.
Tuesday the 21st to Thursday the 23rd offers nothing better: 3ft–5ft NW swell, but periods remain short at 5–6 seconds, and the wind stays fresh from the NNW. By Thursday afternoon the energy hits 164, but the “fresh cross-onshore and lumpy” description tells you all you need to know. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing at this point.
Now, there is a glimmer in the longer range, but we’re talking about the last few days of July and into July 28th and 29th. From roughly the 24th onward, the swell starts to push above 5ft. On Saturday the 25th, we see 5ft–6ft NW swell with a 7-second period, and the energy jumps to 298–422. Still, the wind is a strong cross-onshore, making it messy. This is expert territory size-wise but the quality is poor.
By Tuesday the 28th and Wednesday the 29th, the swell reaches 7ft–7ft from the NNW, periods finally stretching to 8–9 seconds, and the energy is strong — 621 to 749. This is only for experienced surfers, and the cross-onshore wind from the N and NNW keeps it lumpy. Honestly, for a beach-and-reef setup like Castelejo, these longer-period NNW swells are better suited to points or reefs, so don’t expect perfection.
There are no true standouts in this entire 16-day window. The only days with enough size and energy to consider would be the 28th and 29th, but the wind kills it. If you absolutely have to get wet, that’s your best bet — but it’s a gamble.
Crowds at Castelejo are sometimes an issue, but honestly, with this outlook, you might have the place to yourself.
Stay tuned, forecasts can change. Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | |||||||||||||||
AM | 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) | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
55 | 37 | 35 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 13 | 87 | 36 | 35 | 95 | 57 | 67 | 103 | 123 | 112 | 157 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:10PM3.06m | 3:41AM2.82m | 3:58PM3.15m | 4:28AM2.82m | 4:45PM3.16m | 5:14AM2.76m | 5:30PM3.08m | 5:59AM2.65m | 6:16PM2.92m | 6:44AM2.52m | 7:01PM2.70m | 7:31AM2.37m | 7:49PM2.46m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:29PM-0.01m | 9:40AM0.13m | 10:17PM-0.06m | 10:26AM0.11m | 11:04PM-0.02m | 11:10AM0.17m | 11:49PM0.09m | 11:54AM0.28m | 00:33AM0.26m | 12:39PM0.44m | 1:17AM0.45m | 1:27PM0.63m | 2:03AM0.65m | ||||||||
6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | NNW 9 | WNW 8 | W 8 | WNW 12 |
55 | 37 | 35 | 22 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 10 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | SW 12 | N 7 | NW 6 | — | — | W 6 | W 6 | — | — | S 19 | — | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 8 | W 13 | NW 13 | SE 5 |
24 | 23 | 33 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | 7 | — | 2 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 8 | SW 14 | SW 12 | SW 15 | SW 13 | S 11 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 8 | S 16 | E 5 | — |
5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 2 | — | — | NW 6 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NW 3 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 |
— | 1 | — | — | 8 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 27 | 11 | 12 | 87 | 36 | 35 | 95 | 57 | 67 | 103 | 123 | 112 | 157 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 9 | 613 | 9 | 95 | 613 | 77 | 181 | 892 | 245 | 390 | 1195 | 229 | 337 | 750 | 115 | 77 | 524 | 76 | 532 | 491 | 278 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Algarve | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Castelejo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Castelejo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Castelejo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Castelejo 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 (Castelejo) 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 Castelejo 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.
Castelejo is 25 km (16 miles) from Lagos. If you plan a holiday in The Algarve, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lagos. Lagos has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










