
Surf Forecasts:
Martinhal surf forecast from 3 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 4 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, WNW swell with offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 5 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 9s period, NW swell with 242 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 4 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period with WNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Martinhal this week:
The surf forecast for Martinhal over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 9s period. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Martinhal in the next 16 days are 1.2m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 05) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 7s period and expected on Friday (Aug 07) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Wed 5th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Martinhal over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – if you’re looking for a proper surf, this stretch of the calendar is a tough one. The swell is small and messy for days on end, and the wind, while often offshore, is blowing too hard for the tiny waves to line up. The only real pulse of energy shows up much later, but it comes with its own set of headaches.
So, for the first week and a half, we’re looking at a whole lot of nothing. From Monday the 3rd right through to the end of the following week, there’s just no surf worth paddling out for. The swell is tiny, mostly around 1.0 ft to 2 ft, with weak combined energy (15 to 75). The wind is often offshore, but it’s a fresh breeze that’s just going to flatten out what little bump there is. It’s clean, but there’s nothing to ride. You’d be better off finding a different hobby for a while.
Then, around the second weekend, things start to look a little more promising, but it’s still a mixed bag. On Sunday the 16th, the morning sees a jump in size to 5 ft from the NW, with a moderate combined energy of 266. The wind is cross-off from the NNW at 35 km/h, so it’ll be choppy. That’s a fair bit of punch for a beginner, but for the experienced crew, it could be a bit of a mess. Then Monday the 17th looks a touch better. The morning holds 5 ft from the NW with energy at 277, and the wind is a cross-off from the N at 30 km/h. Still not perfect, but it’s the best on offer. The afternoon picks up to 5 ft from the NW, with energy jumping to 328, but the wind is a stiff cross-off at 40 km/h. That’s a lot of wind for a 5 ft wave, making it difficult to get into and keeping it bumpy. This is more of a kite-surfing setup than a clean paddle session.
The only break we’ve got to look at is Martinhal. It’s a sheltered beginner spot, and it’s inconsistent, so it rarely breaks properly. The water temperature is running at 67°, which is a solid 4° colder than normal for this time of year – a bit of a shock to the system when you first get in.
To be honest, the standout is a weak one, but if you’re desperate, the best chance is Monday the 17th morning. The swell is 5 ft from the NW, which is meaty, and the energy is there (277). The wind is cross-off, so it’s not clean, but it’s the biggest, most consistent pulse we get. It’s a session for the experts only, though – that size and wind combo at a sheltered spot is not for the faint of heart.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Mon night, fresh winds from the NNW by Wed night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 7 | NW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | 43 | 121 | 111 | 106 | 70 | 84 | 88 | 36 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 35 | 75 | 0 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | off | cross-off | off | off | off | off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off |
High Tide | 6:09PM2.70m | 6:34AM2.47m | 6:51PM2.56m | 7:20AM2.38m | 7:42PM2.40m | 8:18AM2.28m | 8:49PM2.25m | 9:33AM2.22m | 10:15PM2.18m | 10:58AM2.28m | 11:43PM2.25m | 12:15PM2.45m | 00:54AM2.41m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:52AM0.41m | 00:21AM0.38m | 12:33PM0.51m | 1:03AM0.50m | 1:22PM0.63m | 1:56AM0.64m | 2:26PM0.75m | 3:04AM0.76m | 3:49PM0.81m | 4:30AM0.81m | 5:22PM0.73m | 5:53AM0.72m | 6:39PM0.53m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | |
— | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 11 | NNW 10 |
45 | 43 | 121 | 111 | 106 | 70 | 84 | 59 | 36 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 35 | 29 | 38 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NNW 7 | N 7 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 8 | S 12 | S 13 | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 11 | NNW 11 | — | — |
8 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 41 | 21 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 12 | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | W 11 | WNW 10 | S 12 | S 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | — | — |
5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 20 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 4 | NW 5 | WNW 3 | — | — | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 7 | NW 5 |
2 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 9 | 5 | 88 | 128 | 189 | 222 | 462 | 285 | 248 | 261 | 82 | 37 | 33 | 10 | 75 | 35 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 87 | 409 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 409 | 381 | 64 | 667 | 64 | 64 | 699 | 351 | 259 | 662 | 188 | 188 | 662 | 181 |
Best forecast wave conditions in The Algarve | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Martinhal Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Martinhal provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Martinhal can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Martinhal 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 (Martinhal) 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 Martinhal 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.
Martinhal is 24 km (15 miles) from Lagos. If you plan a holiday in The Algarve, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lagos. Lagos has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











