
Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 11 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 13 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 8s period, NE swell with 794 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 13 Jul, 1AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s 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 Monday (Jul 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.3m and 9s 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 2.5m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.9m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 11) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Mon 13th Jul) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sat 18th Jul) | 8ft (2.5m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
Right then, let’s have a look at what we’ve got. Faja da Areia is our only spot on the cards, a point break that’s exposed to a NNW swell. It’s an inconsistent little number and only rarely breaks, so when there’s a window, you gotta be on it. The water temp’s sitting around average for this time of year, so nothing wild there – just your standard summer feel.
We start the run on Saturday, the 11th of July, with a bit of swell coming through – around 5 ft to 5 ft from the NW. But the wind is cross-onshore, 6 to 9 mph, and it’s messing it right up. Combined energy’s in the 280–290 range (moderate), but the conditions are poor. Honestly, this one’s a write-off.
Sunday the 12th is a bit of a tease. Swell picks up a touch to 5 ft–5 ft from the NW, period stretching to 9 seconds, and energy hits 397 (moderate). But it’s still cross-shore wind at 6 mph, with light rain on the afternoon. You might get a wave or two, but it’s marginal. I’d give it a miss.
Now, Monday the 13th – here’s a glimmer. Swell drops to 4 ft from the NW, not huge, but look at that wind: glassy. Dead calm or a whisper from the N/NNE at 3 mph. The energy’s dropped to around 150 (weak), but the glassy surface makes it surfable. It ain’t a standout, but it’s the first time you could get a clean little slide. The low period of 8 seconds means it’ll be a bit weak, but for a beginner-friendly point, it’s rideable.
Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th stay glassy, but the swell’s tiny – only 2 ft. Energy’s under 100 (very weak). You’d need a longboard and a whole lot of patience. Not worth the paddle unless you’re desperate.
Then from Thursday the 16th through to Tuesday the 21st, we get a run of poor to marginal conditions. Wind stays cross-onshore from the NE, 6 to 9 mph, messing up the surface. Swell builds a bit, hitting 8 ft on Saturday the 18th and staying around 8 ft into Sunday. Energy jumps into the 700–800 range (strong). But with that onshore wind and short 8-second period, it’s going to be a choppy, messy closeout. For a point break, 8 ft is doable for experienced surfers, but with the wind the way it is, honestly, this looks more like a kite-surfing set-up than a paddle session.
Finally, we get to the best of the run. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd of July. Swell settles at 5 ft–6 ft from the NE, period stretches to 9 seconds, and the energy sits around 380–470 (moderate). But the key here is the wind: glassy. A mere 3 mph from the ENE or NE. That’s going to give you clean, open faces. The swell direction is NE, and the optimum for this break is NNW, so it’s slightly off-angle, but with the glassy conditions and consistent energy, this is the clear standout. The size is still safe for beginners, and the longer period (9 seconds) over the 11-second mark means it’s a groundswell with a bit of shape. Wednesday morning looks like the pick of the two days.
After that, Friday the 24th stays okay but gets a bit cross-shore, and into the weekend it fades away, dropping below 4 ft on the 26th. That last Sunday the 26th morning is glassy again but only 4 ft and weak energy.
So, overall: the first week is a slow burn with a few glassy but small windows. The real standout is Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd of July – glassy, clean, and a solid 5 ft–6 ft NE swell at Faja da Areia. If you can wait it out, that’s where the magic’s at.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Sun afternoon. Warm (max 24°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 11 | Sunday 12 | Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
256 | 294 | 372 | 397 | 349 | 238 | 151 | 133 | 94 | 49 | 47 | 66 | 60 | 55 | 27 | 29 | 68 | 141 | 251 | 416 | 638 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:03PM1.88m | 00:34AM1.88m | 1:02PM2.03m | 1:33AM1.98m | 1:56PM2.18m | 2:27AM2.06m | 2:47PM2.30m | 3:16AM2.10m | 3:34PM2.37m | 4:03AM2.10m | 4:20PM2.37m | 4:49AM2.05m | 5:05PM2.31m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 5:41AM0.41m | 6:19PM0.37m | 6:44AM0.31m | 7:20PM0.21m | 7:39AM0.21m | 8:15PM0.08m | 8:29AM0.13m | 9:06PM-0.01m | 9:17AM0.08m | 9:54PM-0.04m | 10:02AM0.08m | 10:40PM-0.01m | 10:46AM0.13m | 11:25PM0.08m | |||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:17 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:16 | — | — | 9:15 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 26 | 26 | 21 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 27 | 26 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 8 |
256 | 294 | 372 | 397 | 349 | 238 | 151 | 133 | 94 | 49 | 47 | 66 | 60 | 55 | 62 | 36 | 34 | 21 | 11 | 11 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | S 14 | SSW 19 | S 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | WNW 11 | NW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | N 7 | NNE 10 | S 12 | S 12 | S 14 | W 9 | S 19 |
64 | 4 | 37 | 25 | 31 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 12 | 28 | 15 | 46 | 48 | 47 | 27 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | S 20 | S 14 | S 13 | S 14 | — | S 13 | S 13 | SSW 15 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | S 13 | WNW 7 | NNE 8 | S 12 | — | — | S 21 | S 21 | S 12 |
33 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | 3 | 22 | 19 | 33 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 3 | — | — | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | — | — | — | — | NNE 2 | NE 3 | NE 4 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
— | 113 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 29 | 68 | 141 | 251 | 416 | 638 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 521 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 484 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Madeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.










