Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, N swell with 1,109 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 27 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with NNW 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 27) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m 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 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) at 1AM. 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 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let’s see what we’ve got here. Honestly, for the next couple weeks, it’s a bit of a tough stretch at Faja da Areia. This spot is a known point break, but it’s an inconsistent one, so when there’s a lull, you feel it. And we’ve got a big lull to start.
We’re kicking things off on Monday the 24th of August. Now, Monday morning has the biggest swell of the whole run, pushing 8ft from the NNW with a period of 11 seconds. That’s a long-period groundswell, so it’ll have plenty of push and shape nicely on a point, but it’s also bringing a lot of energy. The wind is light and from the north, which is offshore for this break, so it’ll be clean. The water is sitting at 77°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year. Sounds good, right? Well, the score is a 3, and it’s flagged for marginal conditions or questionable tides. So while the ingredients are there, something’s holding it back. It’s also over 5ft, so this isn’t one for the groms. That Monday morning session is probably the closest we get to a standout, but it’s not a sure thing.
From there, it’s a slow slide downhill. Monday afternoon drops to 7ft with a cross-on breeze, and the scores tank. Tuesday the 25th sees the swell drop fast to 5ft, and then 4ft, with the wind staying cross-on. Wednesday through Thursday the 27th is mostly poor surf with weak, short-period swell, not worth paddling out for.
We get a little pulse again on Friday the 28th, with 7ft from the north, but the wind is cross-on from the northeast, and again the surf is rated marginal at best. That same pattern – 6-7ft range, cross-on wind, marginal conditions – repeats through Saturday the 29th. Honestly, it’s frustrating: plenty of water moving but the wind just won’t cooperate.
Then we hit a long, flat spell. From Sunday the 30th of August all the way through Sunday the 6th of September, the swell is tiny – under 4ft – with mostly poor conditions. There’s a tiny bump on the 1st of September with 4ft and a nice 11-second period from the NNW, but the energy is weak and it’s still cross-on. The wind stays stubbornly from the northeast for days on end.
Finally, right at the tail end, there’s a little glimmer. On Monday the 7th of September, we get a small, clean window. The morning shows 4ft from the northeast with glassy conditions – no wind at all. For a point break needing clean conditions, glass is gold. The score is 2, which is the best we see in this whole run. It’s small, but it might just be the most fun you’ll have. Tuesday the 8th of September morning is also glassy with 4ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so it’ll be a bit weak and crumbly.
So, the standout pick is that Monday morning on the 24th if you can handle the size and ride the tide right. But for the most reliable clean surf, keep your eyes on Monday the 7th of September morning – it’s the only time the wind really gives us a break. The rest is a waiting game.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 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) | NNW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NNW 8 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | N 9 | N 10 | NNW 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
1146 | 896 | 580 | 359 | 247 | 130 | 151 | 74 | 146 | 120 | 79 | 529 | 932 | 901 | 1109 | 771 | 397 | 197 | 115 | 87 | 73 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | on | cross-on | glassy | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:48PM1.73m | 1:12AM1.66m | 1:26PM1.88m | 1:46AM1.79m | 1:59PM2.02m | 2:18AM1.90m | 2:30PM2.14m | 2:49AM2.00m | 3:01PM2.21m | 3:20AM2.06m | 3:32PM2.25m | 3:52AM2.09m | 4:04PM2.23m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:07PM0.52m | 7:11AM0.50m | 7:41PM0.39m | 7:45AM0.37m | 8:13PM0.26m | 8:16AM0.26m | 8:44PM0.16m | 8:47AM0.17m | 9:14PM0.09m | 9:19AM0.13m | 9:44PM0.06m | 9:51AM0.12m | 10:15PM0.07m | ||||||||
7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:41 | — | — | |
— | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 |
Feels °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 26 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | N 9 | N 10 | NNW 10 | N 11 | ESE 7 | N 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 |
1146 | 896 | 580 | 359 | 247 | 130 | 3 | 74 | 146 | 120 | 79 | 529 | 932 | 901 | 1109 | 9 | 397 | 197 | 115 | 87 | 56 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | S 12 | S 12 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | S 11 | N 8 | NNE 7 | NW 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 11 | S 10 | S 10 | E 6 | N 11 | NNW 10 | N 8 |
1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 50 | 2 | 10 | 46 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | W 11 | W 10 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NW 8 | W 8 | S 11 | N 8 | N 13 | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | N 12 | NW 12 | N 11 | N 10 |
3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | N 7 | N 9 | — | — | — | N 10 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 151 | — | — | — | 78 | 407 | — | — | — | 771 | 79 | 58 | 97 | 82 | 73 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 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.











