
Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 24 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 31 Jul, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 31 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with 256 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 31 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 1.5ft (0.5m), 9s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Faja da Areia this week:
The surf forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.4m and 10s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Faja da Areia in the next 16 days are 1.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Jul 31) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 1.5ft (0.5m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Fri 31st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 31st Jul) | 4ft (1.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Faja da Areia. Right now, things are pretty flat and messy, so we’re gonna have to wait for the good stuff. The first week is mostly a write-off, but hang tight because the second week has some real promise.
The water is running a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, sitting at 75°F.
Right now, on Friday the 24th, we’ve got a weak 5ft swell from the NNE, but it’s coming in at a short 8 seconds and the wind is cross-on. The combined energy is only 232 (weak), and it’s just poor surf conditions. That’s the story straight through until the end of July. There’s a gap of several days with no real surf to speak of, just small, choppy, onshore junk. Sunday the 26th bumps up a touch to 6ft, but the period drops to 7 seconds and the wind is still cross-on, so it’s still a mess. The combined energy is 248 (weak), and it’s still a poor outlook.
We finally get a glimmer on Friday the 31st of July. The morning goes glassy, with a new 4ft swell from the NW, and the period jumps to 10 seconds. The combined energy hits 254 (moderate), and the report says “expect good surf conditions”. The afternoon holds as well, with 4ft from the WNW, still glassy, and the energy climbs to 326 (moderate). This is the first real window of clean, rideable waves.
But the true standout is Saturday the 1st of August. This is the one to circle on the calendar. Morning brings a glassy, calm ocean with a solid 6ft swell from the NNW, but the period is a very long 13 seconds. The combined energy is a powerful 1235 (strong), and the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers”. This is a proper groundswell. For a point break like Faja da Areia, that long period and direction are ideal. The waves will have real shape, energy, and long clean lines. Be aware, at 6ft it’s pushing into the bigger range, so it’s not for beginners. The afternoon holds at 7ft with a 12-second period, but the wind turns onshore, so get it early.
Sunday the 2nd of August is still very good. The morning is glassy again, with a 6ft swell from the NNW at 12 seconds. The combined energy is 962 (strong). It’s still a powerful, clean swell, though a touch smaller than Saturday. The afternoon sees the wind shift onshore and the quality drops.
After that, the swell fades quickly. By Monday the 3rd, the period drops to 11 seconds, the energy is down to 467 (moderate), and the wind is back to cross-on. The rest of the week into August is just small, weak, and choppy. The standout is clear: Saturday the 1st of August, glassy morning, long-period groundswell. That’s your window.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NW 10 | NNE 7 | N 11 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
232 | 204 | 231 | 155 | 155 | 213 | 248 | 229 | 149 | 170 | 206 | 196 | 131 | 99 | 128 | 70 | 48 | 24 | 15 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 11:19AM1.56m | 11:51PM1.50m | 12:19PM1.64m | 00:47AM1.58m | 1:07PM1.75m | 1:31AM1.67m | 1:48PM1.86m | 2:09AM1.76m | 2:24PM1.97m | 2:43AM1.84m | 2:58PM2.06m | 3:16AM1.90m | 3:30PM2.12m | 3:48AM1.93m | |||||||
Low Tide | 5:41PM0.71m | 5:57AM0.68m | 6:39PM0.62m | 6:49AM0.60m | 7:24PM0.52m | 7:31AM0.49m | 8:03PM0.41m | 8:07AM0.40m | 8:38PM0.32m | 8:41AM0.31m | 9:11PM0.25m | 9:14AM0.25m | 9:43PM0.21m | ||||||||
7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:09 | — | — | 9:08 | — | — | 9:07 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 21 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 27 | 28 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | E 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | WNW 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 6 | NNE 7 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 |
13 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 131 | 99 | 23 | 70 | 48 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | NW 11 | NW 7 | NW 7 | S 13 | S 14 | WNW 9 | S 11 | N 13 | N 12 | N 10 | N 10 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NNE 7 | NW 9 |
3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 27 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 20 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 16 | S 16 | W 11 | S 11 | S 15 | S 12 | — | S 14 | — | N 14 | S 13 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | N 10 | E 8 | ENE 7 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | N 11 | N 11 |
5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | 4 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 20 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | — | — | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
232 | 204 | 231 | 155 | 155 | 213 | 248 | 229 | 149 | 170 | 206 | 196 | — | — | 128 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 484 | 484 | 15 | 484 | 484 | 484 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 537 | 17 | 17 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Madeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Faja da Areia Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Faja da Areia provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Faja da Areia can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Faja da Areia 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 (Faja da Areia) 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 Faja da Areia 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.
Faja da Areia is 21 km (13 miles) from the city of Camara de Lobos. If you plan a holiday in Madeira, look for hotels and other accommodation in Camara de Lobos. Camara de Lobos has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










