
Surf Forecasts:
Faja da Areia surf forecast from 31 Jul 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 5 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 10s period, WNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 175 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 1 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with ENE 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 (Aug 01) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 9s. 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 1.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 4AM. 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 10s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sat 1st Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Faja da Areia over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ll be straight with you – this 16-day window for Faja da Areia is a real mixed bag, and honestly, it’s mostly a whole lot of nothing. This is a point break that’s inconsistent at the best of times, and we’re looking at a long stretch of small, underwhelming surf. The water’s sitting at 75°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.
We kick off on Thursday, 30th July, with a tiny 1ft north-northwest swell at 11 seconds, but it’s cross-shore from the east at 3 mph, and the energy is weak (34). It’s a write-off. Friday the 31st isn’t any better – a bit more size, 3ft from the east-northeast, but the period is a shocker at 5 to 6 seconds, and the wind is still cross. The energy picks up a touch (82 to 104), but it’s still poor.
Saturday, 1st August, we get a little glimmer. The wind goes glassy, calm as, with a 3ft west-northwest swell at 9 seconds. The energy is moderate (177 to 154). The waves are surfable, but they’re ordinary. It’s the best we’ve seen, which isn’t saying much. Sunday the 2nd drops right back to 2ft, and the energy vanishes (51). We then go through a flat spell from Monday, 3rd August, right through to Tuesday, 5th August. The swell barely moves, staying under 3ft, and while the wind is often glassy, the waves are just too pathetic to get excited about. The energy through this period is very weak, between 27 and 159.
Wednesday, 6th August, is our first real standout. Thursday morning brings a 4ft west-northwest swell at 9 seconds, with glassy, calm conditions. The energy jumps to a solid 248 – moderate. The forecast actually says “expect good surf conditions.” This is the pick of the run. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum for this spot (NNW is best), but the size and clean wind make it worth a paddle. The morning of Friday, 7th August, is also decent with 3ft west-northwest swell at 9 seconds and clean wind (energy 204), but after that, the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore for the rest of the forecast.
From Saturday, 8th August, through to Friday, 14th August, it’s a brutal stretch. The wind is consistently cross-onshore from the north-east, sometimes picking up to 9 mph. The swell is there, between 2ft and 4ft, but the period is short (7 to 9 seconds), and the energy is all over the place (83 to 195). The conditions are described as “poor” every single session. The energy on the 10th and 11th hits moderate levels (195 and 179), but with that crappy wind, it’s a complete mess. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on those days.
So, the only real window is that Thursday, 6th August morning, and maybe the Friday 7th morning. After that, it’s a long 7-day stretch of wind-affected slop. For a spot that’s already inconsistent, this blank run is pretty normal for the area. Forecasts can change, but right now, don’t hold your breath.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun afternoon, min 23°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | ||||||||||||||
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) | N 11 | N 10 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | ENE 6 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 21 | 51 | 74 | 85 | 92 | 84 | 41 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 14 | 71 | 88 | 88 | 58 | 90 | 114 | 111 | 151 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | glassy | cross-on |
High Tide | 3:48AM1.93m | 4:02PM2.15m | 4:20AM1.94m | 4:34PM2.14m | 4:54AM1.93m | 5:07PM2.10m | 5:29AM1.90m | 5:43PM2.02m | 6:09AM1.84m | 6:25PM1.91m | 6:56AM1.76m | 7:17PM1.79m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:43PM0.21m | 9:45AM0.22m | 10:15PM0.19m | 10:17AM0.23m | 10:47PM0.19m | 10:51AM0.26m | 11:21PM0.23m | 11:27AM0.31m | 11:57PM0.29m | 12:08PM0.40m | 00:40AM0.38m | 12:58PM0.49m | 1:34AM0.48m | |||||||
— | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
— | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:07 | — | — | 9:06 | — | — | 9:05 | — | — | 9:04 | — | — | 9:02 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 21 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 23 | 28 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 28 | 23 |
Feels °C | 26 | 23 | 29 | 29 | 25 | 32 | 32 | 26 | 30 | 33 | 27 | 32 | 31 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 27 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 |
9 | 66 | 153 | 143 | 124 | 70 | 55 | 41 | 72 | 66 | 64 | 66 | 71 | 88 | 88 | 58 | 90 | 114 | 111 | 151 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 7 | NNE 7 | WNW 10 | N 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 11 | N 11 |
21 | 19 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 92 | 84 | 96 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 5 | 21 | 40 | 58 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | N 7 | S 8 | S 8 | — | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 |
16 | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | 15 | 15 | 27 | 29 | 26 | 25 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 17 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 2 |
4 | 21 | 51 | 74 | 85 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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.











