
Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 14 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period, ENE swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, NE swell with 863 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 14 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 8s period with ENE 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 Monday (Sep 14) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 7s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Faja da Areia in the next 16 days are 2.2m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) 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 0.5m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Mon 14th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Thu 17th Sep) | 7ft (2.2m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let's have a look at what's cookin' for Faja da Areia.
This forecast is a bit of a slow burner, to be honest. We’ve got a long patch of pretty average conditions before things get interesting right at the end of the window. The water's sitting at a toasty 77°, which feels a touch warmer than normal for this time of year at this spot.
Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th are a write-off. There's some chest-high swell around 5ft to 6ft, but it's coming from the NE with a short, weak 7-second period. The combined energy is moderate at best, and the wind is coming across from the NE, putting chop all over it.
Things don't really improve much through the following week. We get a bit more swell size, hitting about 7ft from the NNE on Thursday the 17th and Friday the 18th, with energy picking up significantly, but the wind stays cross-onshore, making it a bumpy, choppy mess. It's not worth paddling out for.
There’s a noticeable gap in real quality until we hit Saturday the 21st of September. That morning sees a solid 5ft swell, but the magic is the direction – it swings to the NNW. The period jumps to 15 seconds, and the energy is massive! The wind is light and cross-shore, so it's a massive step up in potential. This is a standout window for experienced surfers who know how to handle a long-period groundswell at a point break.
But the absolute best of the whole 16 days is Tuesday the 22nd of September. We’ve still got that excellent 5ft swell from the NNW, a long 14-second period, and the energy is still pumping. The wind goes glassy in the morning with an offshore component from the S. That's the one. Clean, powerful lines rolling in. This is the one to circle on the calendar, but keep in mind Faja da Areia can be inconsistent, so don't bet the house on it being perfect until you're looking at the water.
Wednesday the 23rd is still decent, with the swell dropping to 4ft but staying glassy. After that, the swell fades away into the back half of the week, with small, weak waves under 3ft and low energy. The last few days of September and into October look to be a flat spell.
So, to sum it up: prepare for a lot of average days, but keep your eyes glued to the 21st, and especially the 22nd of September. That’s the real chance for a score.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Mon morning, min 21°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNW 11 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 10 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
233 | 233 | 279 | 344 | 318 | 269 | 198 | 164 | 140 | 94 | 94 | 81 | 92 | 157 | 309 | 497 | 710 | 821 | 719 | 575 | 500 | |
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 | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:30PM2.34m | 3:51AM2.16m | 4:05PM2.24m | 4:24AM2.10m | 4:40PM2.09m | 4:57AM1.99m | 5:14PM1.90m | 5:31AM1.85m | 5:51PM1.71m | 6:09AM1.70m | 6:34PM1.53m | 6:58AM1.55m | 7:37PM1.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:42PM-0.01m | 9:51AM0.06m | 10:13PM0.08m | 10:26AM0.15m | 10:45PM0.22m | 11:01AM0.28m | 11:16PM0.37m | 11:37AM0.44m | 11:50PM0.54m | 12:19PM0.60m | 00:31AM0.70m | 1:17PM0.76m | 1:35AM0.84m | ||||||||
7:48 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | |
— | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 21 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 27 | 28 | 22 | 30 | 31 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 15 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NNE 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 |
47 | 46 | 43 | 84 | 158 | 187 | 160 | 63 | 140 | 94 | 94 | 81 | 79 | 65 | 37 | 99 | 140 | 821 | 85 | 81 | 47 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NNW 11 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NW 10 | S 12 | NNW 13 | NW 12 | NW 10 | S 15 | NW 10 | N 12 | NW 9 | NNW 12 |
48 | 47 | 17 | 25 | 32 | 31 | 14 | 135 | 51 | 42 | 27 | 53 | 3 | 17 | 72 | 23 | 4 | 102 | 11 | 3 | 15 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | NW 13 | NNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | N 8 | — | WNW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNE 7 | N 15 | S 12 | N 15 | N 14 | N 13 | N 12 | S 14 | S 13 | NNW 18 |
3 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 1 | — | 14 | 90 | 55 | 34 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 64 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | ENE 8 | — | — | — | — | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 9 | — | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 |
233 | 233 | 279 | 344 | 318 | 269 | 198 | 164 | — | — | — | — | 92 | 157 | 309 | 497 | 710 | — | 719 | 575 | 500 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
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.










