Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 2 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 7s period, NE swell with 258 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 10s 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 1.0m and 7s. 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 1.6m 7s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 02) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 14s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Wed 2nd Sep) | 5ft (1.6m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for the local stretch.
First up, we’re looking at the only spot that’s even in the conversation: Faja da Areia. It’s a point break, beginner-friendly, but don’t get your hopes up too high – it’s inconsistent, and it only breaks rarely. The water temp is sitting at 76°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, nothing too wild.
The truth is, the next week and a half is pretty much a write-off for any decent surf. We’ve got a long stretch from Sunday the 30th of August all the way through to Friday the 4th of September where the conditions are just grim. The wind is a persistent cross-onshore breeze, the swell is mushy and short-period, and the combined energy is weak to moderate at best – you’re looking at readings between 164 and 265 for the most part. The waves are small, bumpy, and just not worth paddling out for.
Now, there’s a tiny glimmer of hope on Saturday the 5th of September. The morning is looking glassy. The swell is still small at 5 ft from the NE, with a short period of 7 seconds, and the energy is moderate (282). The conditions are described as “expect good surf conditions,” which is the best we’re going to see. It’s not a standout by any stretch, but if you’re desperate, that Saturday morning window is the only time you’ll find a cleanish wave. Just don’t expect any power.
After that, it’s back to the same story. The rest of the forecast drops off into smaller, weaker swells with onshore or cross-shore winds. There’s a couple of glassy windows on Monday the 14th of September, but the swell is tiny (3 ft) and weak (85 to 131 energy), so it’s just a dribble. Honestly, for the next 16 days, the only real chance to get wet is that Saturday morning, and even then it’s a marginal call.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Fri afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | NNW 9 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NW 10 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
76 | 149 | 124 | 80 | 75 | 95 | 137 | 180 | 230 | 247 | 251 | 228 | 200 | 181 | 144 | 113 | 112 | 132 | 90 | 79 | 99 | |
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 | cross | on | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | glassy |
High Tide | 4:04PM2.23m | 4:25AM2.08m | 4:39PM2.17m | 5:00AM2.02m | 5:16PM2.05m | 5:40AM1.93m | 6:00PM1.90m | 6:28AM1.81m | 6:56PM1.73m | 7:31AM1.69m | 8:14PM1.58m | 9:00AM1.62m | 9:57PM1.54m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:15PM0.07m | 10:25AM0.15m | 10:49PM0.13m | 11:02AM0.22m | 11:26PM0.24m | 11:44AM0.33m | 00:09AM0.38m | 12:36PM0.47m | 1:05AM0.54m | 1:49PM0.60m | 2:26AM0.67m | 3:32PM0.64m | |||||||||
7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | |
— | 8:36 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 23 | 29 | 30 | 24 |
Feels °C | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 26 | 27 | 21 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 26 | 32 | 33 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NE 7 | N 8 | NW 8 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 |
76 | 149 | 124 | 77 | 43 | 23 | 80 | 75 | 65 | 65 | 26 | 33 | 21 | 181 | 18 | 34 | 111 | 91 | 85 | 79 | 99 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | N 9 | NNW 11 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NNW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 8 | E 6 | NW 12 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
35 | 5 | 20 | 31 | 42 | 40 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 27 | 17 | 9 | 29 | 24 | 11 | 112 | 132 | 90 | 70 | 50 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | S 18 | S 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | NNW 8 | — | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | N 8 | SSW 13 | N 8 | E 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NNW 11 |
3 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 24 | 23 | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 12 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 6 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | — | NE 7 | NNE 7 | — | — | — | — | — |
55 | 51 | 67 | 80 | 75 | 95 | 137 | 180 | 230 | 247 | 251 | 228 | 200 | — | 144 | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
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.











