Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 22 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 11s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 10s period, NNE swell with 365 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 20 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period with N 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 Thursday (Aug 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period. 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 1.4m 10s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.5m 10s period and expected on Wednesday (Aug 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 20th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sat 22nd Aug) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about Faja da Areia in feet and miles.
The water’s a touch warmer than normal for the season, about 77°, so that’s a nice little bonus.
From Tuesday the 18th through Friday the 21st, it’s a flat spell. We’ve got 4 to 5 foot windswell from the NNE, but the period is short at 7 to 8 seconds, and the energy is weak to moderate. The winds are onshore or cross-onshore. The surf is just poor or marginal. Not worth paddling out.
Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd bring a slight change. The swell drops to 3 to 3 feet on Saturday, with a longer 10-second period from the north, but winds are cross-shore. Sunday morning the 23rd sees a clean window with cross-offshore winds and a 3-foot north swell at 10 seconds. It’s rideable, but ordinary.
The rest of the week through the 24th and 25th stays marginal. Monday the 24th has 4 to 4 foot NE swell, but cross-onshore winds. Tuesday the 25th morning goes glassy with a 4 foot NNE swell, but the period is short and the energy is low.
Then a gap from Wednesday the 26th to Saturday the 29th. The surf is mostly poor or marginal. Small, short-period, and onshore winds.
Now, Sunday the 30th of August is a standout. The morning is glassy, calm winds, with a 5-foot northwest swell at 9 seconds. The energy is strong. The afternoon stays glassy with a 5-foot NW swell. This is clean and solid.
Monday the 31st of August is the best. We’re looking at a 6-foot swell from the NNW, with a period of 9 to 10 seconds. The energy is very strong. Winds are glassy. This is a proper swell, clean and powerful. The NNW direction is perfect for this point. This is for experienced surfers only, as it’s over 5 feet.
Tuesday the 1st of September morning is still glassy with a 5-foot north swell, but it’s fading. The afternoon gets cross-shore.
After that, it drops off quickly. The 2nd of September is back to small, weak, and poor.
So, the clear standout is Monday the 31st of August. Sunday the 30th is also a good bet. The rest is mostly flat or marginal.
Rusty, out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryModerate rain (total 16mm), heaviest on Sun night. Warm (max 25°C on Fri morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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) | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | N 10 | N 10 | NNW 9 | N 10 | NNE 10 | NNE 8 | NE 10 | NE 9 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
291 | 333 | 270 | 228 | 200 | 190 | 245 | 232 | 238 | 191 | 191 | 171 | 130 | 188 | 106 | 196 | 358 | 300 | 250 | 263 | 216 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross | cross | glassy | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:34PM1.77m | 6:58AM1.67m | 7:21PM1.57m | 7:52AM1.54m | 8:28PM1.42m | 9:12AM1.46m | 10:05PM1.36m | 10:48AM1.48m | 11:34PM1.42m | 11:59AM1.59m | 00:31AM1.53m | 12:48PM1.73m | 1:12AM1.66m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:17PM0.45m | 00:40AM0.52m | 1:03PM0.61m | 1:26AM0.68m | 2:06PM0.76m | 2:33AM0.81m | 3:41PM0.83m | 4:12AM0.84m | 5:21PM0.78m | 5:37AM0.77m | 6:24PM0.66m | 6:31AM0.64m | 7:07PM0.52m | ||||||||
7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 27 | 26 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 |
Feels °C | 29 | 28 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 11 | NNE 7 | N 10 | NNW 9 | N 10 | W 8 | W 8 | N 8 | NE 9 | NE 8 |
14 | 333 | 270 | 228 | 200 | 190 | 245 | 232 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 94 | 96 | 188 | 106 | 196 | 5 | 5 | 173 | 263 | 216 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | N 10 | N 7 | N 11 | NW 7 | WNW 7 | S 12 | W 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
10 | 13 | 13 | 40 | 37 | 47 | 30 | 29 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 16 | 130 | 32 | 87 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 86 | 49 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | NNW 8 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | N 12 | NW 8 | W 8 | S 13 | NW 7 | S 12 | W 7 | W 10 |
20 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 42 | 42 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 14 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNE 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | — | NNE 6 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 10 | NNE 8 | NE 10 | — | — |
291 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 238 | 191 | 191 | 171 | — | 57 | 45 | 65 | 358 | 300 | 250 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 511 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Madeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











