
Surf Forecasts:
Porto da Cruz surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 4AM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 8s period, NE swell with 580 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 2.3m 8s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) 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 0.3m 16s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 19) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porto da Cruz over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Porto da Cruz over the next couple of weeks.
Straight up, this is a tough stretch. For the first eleven days, from Sunday the 19th of July right through to Wednesday the 29th of July, the wind is relentless from the north, blowing cross-onshore. The swell is there, bumping up from a modest 2ft up to a solid 8ft, but the energy is all over the place – moderate at best most days, with combined energy readings (38 to 600) struggling to clean up. The water is a touch warmer than normal at 75°, but that’s small comfort when the surface is choppy. The wind just kills it. This is a beach-and-reef setup, and honestly, for most of that period it looks better suited for kite surfing than paddling into a bumpy mess.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Thursday the 30th of July. The wind finally swings around – light from the south in the morning, a cross-off breeze, and then by afternoon it goes glassy with a light NE breeze. The swell drops to a clean 5ft to 5ft from the NNE, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy sits at 318 to 372, which is moderate but manageable. This is your standout window. Porto da Cruz is a reef break that’s fairly consistent, and it’s exposed to the north swell. The optimum direction is north, and this NNE swell is close enough to work. The crowds are often here, so expect company. But with glassy conditions, this is the best on offer. The water is about average for the time of year by then.
After that, Friday the 31st of July through to Monday the 3rd of August, the north wind comes back with a vengeance, and the surf quality dives again. The swell stays around 4ft to 4ft, but the cross-onshore breeze churns it up. Not much to write home about.
So, in short: wait for Thursday the 30th of July. That’s your day. The rest of the window is a write-off unless you’re on a kite. Keep an eye on the forecasts, though – it tends not to stay this poor for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Wed afternoon, min 19°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
29 | 37 | 42 | 50 | 45 | 65 | 90 | 103 | 87 | 77 | 86 | 245 | 232 | 257 | 190 | 196 | 222 | 295 | 373 | 453 | 567 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | 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-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 6:36PM2.03m | 7:05AM1.77m | 7:24PM1.84m | 7:57AM1.66m | 8:18PM1.67m | 8:57AM1.58m | 9:25PM1.54m | 10:08AM1.55m | 10:42PM1.49m | 11:19AM1.58m | 11:52PM1.52m | 12:19PM1.66m | 00:47AM1.59m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:15PM0.35m | 00:54AM0.35m | 1:03PM0.49m | 1:41AM0.50m | 1:58PM0.62m | 2:34AM0.63m | 3:06PM0.72m | 3:39AM0.72m | 4:26PM0.76m | 4:52AM0.73m | 5:41PM0.71m | 5:58AM0.69m | 6:39PM0.62m | ||||||||
7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:14 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:13 | — | — | 9:12 | — | — | 9:10 | — | — | 9:10 | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 24 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 5 | ENE 5 | SSW 13 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 |
29 | 25 | 50 | 47 | 41 | 42 | 21 | 34 | 34 | 8 | 9 | 33 | 28 | 29 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | E 7 | S 10 | S 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | SSW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | NNE 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | S 16 | S 13 | S 15 | S 15 | W 10 |
29 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 11 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 12 | S 8 | S 8 | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 17 | W 8 | W 10 | S 15 |
3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 30 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 7 | NNE 9 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 8 |
6 | 37 | 42 | 50 | 45 | 65 | 90 | 103 | 87 | 77 | 86 | 245 | 232 | 257 | 190 | 196 | 222 | 295 | 373 | 453 | 567 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 22 | 28 | 38 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 38 | 38 | 508 | 38 | 522 | 522 | 38 | 476 |
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.










