
Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 12 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 17 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 9s period, NNE swell with 766 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 12 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period with WNW 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 12s. 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 2.1m 9s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 17) at 1PM. 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 9s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 17th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 9s |
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 cookin’ for this stretch of coast.
The pick of the next 16 days is a short one, but it’s a real beauty for the patient surfer. The only spot that’s worth paddling out for is Faja da Areia, a point break that’s inconsistent, but when it lines up, it’s a treat. The best surf hits early on Wednesday, August 12th.
That morning, we’ve got a clean 3ft swell rolling in from the WNW, with a 9-second period, generating moderate wave energy (205). The wind is glassy, dead calm from the NE at only 3 mph, so the surface will be like a mirror. This is a standout session for a beginner-friendly wave, but it’s small and clean. The water temperature is about average for the time of year.
Right after that, the quality drops. By Wednesday afternoon, the wind swings cross-on, and things get a little choppy. From Thursday, August 13th, all the way through to Sunday, August 23rd, the surf is mostly poor to marginal. The swell picks up significantly, with a big pulse of NNE swell on the 16th reaching 6ft and combined energy hitting 437 (moderate), and then another pulse on the 22nd of August hitting 8ft with a 10-second period and very strong energy (1383). But the wind never cleans it up. It’s nearly always cross-on or onshore, so the waves are messy and choppy. At 8ft, that’s expert territory, and with the wind all over it, it’s a write-off for a paddle board.
Then, on Monday, August 24th, there’s a second tiny window. The afternoon looks glassy again, with a 5ft NE swell, 8-second period, and moderate energy (335). The wind is calm, and the forecast says good surf conditions. It’s a smaller, weaker wave, but that glassy surface will make it feel like a dream after two weeks of junk.
The rest of the month into the 27th is back to poor surf with light cross-on winds. The key takeaway is this: the only real standouts are the first Wednesday morning, and to a lesser degree, the Monday afternoon on the 24th. The rest of the run is a waiting game.
This is Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu afternoon, min 20°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat afternoon. Warm (max 27°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 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) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NW 9 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
161 | 158 | 127 | 101 | 64 | 138 | 124 | 122 | 156 | 132 | 155 | 358 | 392 | 464 | 560 | 750 | 687 | 630 | 633 | 539 | 488 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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 | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:34PM2.34m | 3:02AM2.13m | 3:17PM2.41m | 3:43AM2.15m | 3:57PM2.40m | 4:22AM2.12m | 4:37PM2.32m | 4:59AM2.05m | 5:15PM2.17m | 5:37AM1.94m | 5:53PM1.98m | 6:15AM1.81m | 6:34PM1.77m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:19AM0.12m | 8:54PM-0.04m | 9:01AM0.05m | 9:35PM-0.08m | 9:41AM0.03m | 10:14PM-0.04m | 10:20AM0.07m | 10:51PM0.05m | 10:58AM0.16m | 11:27PM0.19m | 11:36AM0.30m | 00:02AM0.35m | 12:17PM0.45m | 00:40AM0.52m | |||||||
7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:31 | — | — | 7:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 21 | 27 | 28 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 28 | 29 | 23 | 29 | 30 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 23 | 29 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 28 | 28 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 9 | NNE 9 | WNW 8 |
161 | 158 | 127 | 101 | 64 | 138 | 70 | 117 | 98 | 128 | 110 | 119 | 45 | 26 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 24 | 15 | 539 | 13 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 8 | SSW 17 | SSW 15 | WNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 |
41 | 38 | 33 | 18 | 59 | 27 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 21 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 29 | 23 | 6 | 20 | 14 | 17 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | E 5 | N 6 | N 12 | N 10 | N 11 | NW 11 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | S 17 | S 16 | SW 17 | SSW 16 | S 10 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 |
3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 20 | 33 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | ENE 6 | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | NNE 9 | — | NNE 9 |
— | — | 12 | 22 | 45 | 80 | 124 | 122 | 156 | 132 | 155 | 358 | 392 | 464 | 560 | 750 | 687 | 630 | 633 | — | 488 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
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.











