
Surf Forecasts:
Porto da Cruz surf forecast from 10 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 8s period, NNE swell with 226 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Porto da Cruz this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Porto da Cruz in the next 16 days are 1.4m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.4m 16s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 16th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porto da Cruz over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table.
Right now, we’re stuck in a flat spell. From today, August 9th, all the way through August 17th, there’s nothing worth paddling out for. It’s all small, choppy, and mostly cross-onshore. Swell heights are under 3 ft for days, with weak combined energy (under 100), and even when it tries to build later in that stretch, the quality is still poor. That’s a long stretch of nada.
Things finally wake up around Tuesday, August 18th. Porto da Cruz (Madeira) starts seeing some real size – about 7 ft from the NNE, with a 10-second period and moderate energy (741). The wind is cross-shore and it’s only marginal, but it’s the first sign of life. The water temp is a touch warmer than normal at 77°.
The one to circle is the morning of Wednesday, August 19th. That’s your best bet. We’ve got a clean 6 ft NNE swell, 9-second period, and solid energy (528). The wind goes light cross-offshore from the WNW, and the report says clean. Porto da Cruz is a reef break that’s fairly consistent, and that offshore wind is going to make it smooth. The swell direction (NNE) lines up well with the break’s optimum (N). Just be aware, this spot gets crowded often, so plan accordingly.
After that, Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st still have some size (5 ft to 6 ft), but the wind turns more cross or cross-onshore, and the quality drops back to marginal or poor. The energy hangs around 300–400, but it’s not the same.
From Saturday the 22nd onward, it fades fast. Swell drops under 5 ft, and energy falls off to under 300, then under 100 by the 24th. The last couple days, the 24th, are glassy but tiny – only 2 ft to 2 ft, with very weak energy. Good for a float, not for a ride.
So, mark your calendar for Wednesday morning, August 19th. That’s the one.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummarySome drizzle, heaviest during Sat morning. Warm (max 26°C on Fri morning, min 21°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | |||||||||||||||
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) | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NW 9 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NE 9 | NNE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
88 | 84 | 44 | 29 | 34 | 50 | 42 | 40 | 21 | 29 | 51 | 86 | 120 | 116 | 109 | 96 | 68 | 86 | 85 | 176 | 175 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | 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 |
High Tide | 12:57PM2.04m | 1:30AM1.96m | 1:49PM2.22m | 2:18AM2.08m | 2:35PM2.36m | 3:02AM2.15m | 3:17PM2.43m | 3:43AM2.17m | 3:58PM2.42m | 4:22AM2.14m | 4:37PM2.34m | 5:00AM2.07m | 5:16PM2.19m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:40AM0.39m | 7:20PM0.21m | 7:33AM0.24m | 8:09PM0.06m | 8:19AM0.12m | 8:54PM-0.04m | 9:01AM0.05m | 9:36PM-0.08m | 9:42AM0.03m | 10:14PM-0.04m | 10:20AM0.07m | 10:51PM0.05m | 10:58AM0.16m | 11:27PM0.19m | |||||||
7:26 | — | — | 7:26 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:28 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | 7:30 | — | — | |
— | 8:58 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 21 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 7 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | ENE 4 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | NE 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NE 9 | NNE 8 |
88 | 84 | 44 | 29 | 17 | 50 | 42 | 7 | 20 | 21 | 44 | 49 | 45 | 41 | 30 | 38 | 68 | 86 | 85 | 176 | 175 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 4 | ENE 5 | ENE 4 | ENE 4 | NNW 13 | NE 4 | NW 9 | NNW 11 | NW 9 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | NW 9 | N 9 | NNW 10 | NE 6 | SSW 16 | NNW 8 | SSW 16 |
8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 34 | 5 | 22 | 40 | 21 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 31 | 17 | 20 | 6 | 36 | 51 | 52 | 77 | 87 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | NNW 14 | ENE 4 | N 7 | N 6 | NW 9 | S 15 | NNW 12 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 12 | N 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | SSW 18 | S 11 | SSW 17 | SSW 12 |
11 | 10 | 9 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 22 | 38 | 14 | 12 | 31 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 2 | 58 | 13 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ENE 4 | — | ENE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | — | — | NE 7 | — | NNW 8 |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 15 | 29 | 51 | 86 | 120 | 116 | 109 | 96 | — | — | 71 | — | 44 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 16 | 28 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 16 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Madeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Porto da Cruz Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Porto da Cruz provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Porto da Cruz can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Porto da Cruz 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 (Porto da Cruz) 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 Porto da Cruz 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.
Porto da Cruz is 14 km (9 miles) from Funchal. If you plan a holiday in Madeira, look for hotels and other accommodation in Funchal. Funchal has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











