Surf Forecasts:
Castelejo surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 11s period, NW swell with 551 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 18 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Castelejo this week:
The surf forecast for Castelejo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.2m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Castelejo in the next 16 days are 1.6m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 4s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Tue 18th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Castelejo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Yo, it’s Rusty. Let’s talk about Castelejo. Normally this spot can pump, but looking at the next 16 days, it’s proper lean. We’re in for a long, scratchy stretch before any glimmer shows up.
Right now, Tuesday the 18th through to Sunday the 30th, it’s mostly a bust. There are small waves on the Tuesday and Wednesday, like 2 ft to 3 ft, with some clean conditions early Wednesday morning (2 ft from the NNW with offshore SSE breeze) – that’s the best we get for the first week, but frankly, the energy is pathetic (60). Not worth getting wet for anything more than a longboard if you’re desperate.
Then from Thursday the 20th onward, it gets ugly. Lots of onshore and cross-onshore wind, mostly from the NNW and NW, cranking up to 22-25 mph. The swell is all over the place, but the wind just ruins it. Choppy, lumpy, blown-out. By Saturday the 22nd, we’ve got 5 ft of NNW swell at 10 seconds, but with 16 mph cross-onshore and combined energy hitting 513, it’s just messy. Not surfable. This poor run continues deep into the week of the 25th – tiny, weak windswell with periods dropping to 4-5 seconds and some proper onshore gales. Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing if you’re into that.
There is a brief period of slightly cleaner winds around Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st. Saturday morning the 30th sees a 6 ft NW swell (period 7 seconds) with light cross-shore from the SW, only 6 mph – energy is moderate (362). The afternoon improves: 7 ft from the NW, still light cross-shore, and the score nudges up to a 2. A little better, but still short-period and a bit wonky. For a beach and reef setup like Castelejo, that longer-period groundswell isn’t here – it’s all short, fat waves.
The best on offer is a toss-up, and honestly, it’s not much. The early Wednesday morning 19th August with 2 ft and offshore SSE breeze is as clean as it gets, but tiny. The other standout, if you’re patient, is Sunday afternoon the 30th August: 7 ft NW, light SW cross-shore, moderate energy (530). It’s not amazing, but for this stretch, that’s your best shot for a few punchy, if messy, waves. Crowds are possible – Castelejo can get busy when there’s anything rideable, so expect company.
Water temp? No anomaly mentioned here, so it’s about average for the time of year – fine for a summer wetsuit.
That’s it, mate. This forecast is not kind. I’d be checking back in a few days – forecasts can change, and it can’t stay this flat forever.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Tue afternoon, min 21°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu night, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Thu night, strong winds from the NNW by Sat night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
133 | 125 | 95 | 54 | 32 | 38 | 47 | 45 | 43 | 383 | 223 | 243 | 480 | 430 | 384 | 434 | 513 | 403 | 276 | 236 | 237 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:42AM2.45m | 7:02PM2.39m | 7:25AM2.26m | 7:49PM2.13m | 8:18AM2.09m | 8:54PM1.93m | 9:33AM1.97m | 10:25PM1.84m | 11:05AM1.98m | 11:54PM1.90m | 12:19PM2.11m | 00:53AM2.05m | 1:10PM2.30m | 1:36AM2.22m | |||||||
Low Tide | 12:42PM0.58m | 1:05AM0.69m | 1:28PM0.80m | 1:50AM0.90m | 2:28PM0.99m | 2:53AM1.08m | 3:57PM1.09m | 4:28AM1.14m | 5:38PM1.05m | 5:57AM1.05m | 6:44PM0.90m | 6:53AM0.89m | 7:29PM0.72m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:20 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SW 14 | WNW 9 | SW 13 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 |
133 | 125 | 95 | 54 | 32 | 29 | 47 | 45 | 43 | 383 | 79 | 154 | 25 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | NW 11 | NW 12 | SW 13 | WNW 9 | SW 14 | SW 14 | — | SW 13 | — | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 12 |
6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 9 | 18 | 37 | 7 | 32 | 8 | 8 | — | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 4 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 13 | — | — |
10 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 12 | 38 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | S 4 | SSW 4 | — | — | — | NW 5 | — | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 7 |
— | — | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | 16 | — | 223 | 243 | 480 | 430 | 384 | 434 | 513 | 403 | 276 | 236 | 237 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 152 | 0 | 0 | 411 | 458 | 767 | 629 | 77 | 73 | 458 | 390 | 701 | 411 | 390 | 92 | 245 | 65 |
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.











