Surf Forecasts:
Porto da Cruz surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 25 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, N swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 29 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 11s period, N swell with 831 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period with N swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Porto da Cruz this week:
The surf forecast for Porto da Cruz over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 10AM. 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 Porto da Cruz in the next 16 days are 1.9m 11s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 29) 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 0.4m 16s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sat 29th Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porto da Cruz over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here, checking in with a look at what Porto da Cruz has got cookin' for us over the next couple of weeks. Gotta be straight with you, it’s a bit of a grim run on the whole. We’ve got some small windows of fun, but the forecast is mostly filled with onshore winds and choppy conditions that are gonna test your patience.
The main event, the one you gotta circle on the calendar, is Tuesday the 25th. That morning is the highlight of the whole period, no contest. We’re looking at a clean 4ft swell from the north, with a period of 9 seconds, putting the combined wave energy at a modest 276. The wind? Glassy. Absolutely dead flat from the WNW. That means Porto da Cruz (Madeira) is going to be smooth as a mirror, a proper session. The water is sitting at 78°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year. The swell direction is on the money, and while it's a fairly consistent spot, the crowds here can turn up often, so get in early.
The rest of Monday the 24th is a write-off with cross-shore winds and a messy 6ft swell, not worth paddling out for. Wednesday the 26th starts with a tiny 3ft glassy wave, alright for the longboard, but it’s weak, with combined swell energy of just 74. The afternoon turns to junk.
After that, from Thursday the 27th all the way through to Saturday the 5th of September, it’s a full-on blank run of poor surf. We’re talking consistent onshore winds and choppy conditions. There’s a bit of size, like that 6ft bump on Friday the 28th, but it’s cross-on and messy. This is not your time. If you’ve got a kite, the onshore chop might look interesting, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a no-go.
Now, there is a late glimpse of something promising in the second week. On Sunday the 6th of September, a long-period groundswell shows up, with a period over 20 seconds. But it’s tiny, only 2ft to 3ft, and it’s onshore. Monday the 7th has a similar story with a 3ft, 16-second swell from the WNW, but it’s still cross-on. The combined energy is big, over 900 and 1000, but the wind direction ruins the picture. It’s a long-range tease, less certain, but maybe a sign the pattern is about to shift.
Bottom line: Tuesday the 25th morning is your window. A classic, clean, glassy session at Porto da Cruz. Everything else you can sleep in for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 2mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 24°C on Wed morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 20°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 846 | 656 | 464 | 274 | 214 | 132 | 74 | 41 | 81 | 90 | 111 | 357 | 753 | 689 | 694 | 569 | 472 | 230 | 111 | 113 | 75 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 12:49PM1.75m | 1:12AM1.68m | 1:27PM1.90m | 1:47AM1.81m | 2:00PM2.04m | 2:19AM1.92m | 2:31PM2.15m | 2:50AM2.01m | 3:02PM2.23m | 3:21AM2.08m | 3:33PM2.27m | 3:52AM2.11m | 4:05PM2.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:07PM0.53m | 7:11AM0.50m | 7:42PM0.39m | 7:45AM0.37m | 8:14PM0.26m | 8:17AM0.26m | 8:44PM0.16m | 8:48AM0.18m | 9:14PM0.09m | 9:19AM0.13m | 9:45PM0.06m | 9:51AM0.12m | 10:16PM0.07m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:35 | — | — | 7:35 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — |
 | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:35 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 23 |
Feels °C | 23 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | N 8 | SSW 11 | S 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 11 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 8 | N 8 | N 8 |
| kJ | 846 | 656 | 464 | 274 | 214 | 132 | 74 | 41 | 81 | 90 | 11 | 9 | 753 | 689 | 694 | 569 | 472 | 230 | 111 | 49 | 46 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | SSW 11 | NNE 7 | SSW 11 | N 13 | — | S 10 | S 11 | SSW 10 | SSW 10 | E 6 | E 6 | SSW 9 | SSW 18 | SSW 16 |
| kJ | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 11 | 3 | — | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 61 | 51 | 8 | 30 | 52 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 12 | WNW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | — | W 8 | SSW 11 | N 8 | — | — | — | S 15 | — | — | SSW 9 | S 9 | S 18 | SW 9 | NNW 10 |
| kJ | 48 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | 1 | 23 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 8 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 10 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 3 | NNW 6 | — | N 8 | N 8 | N 9 | N 10 | — | ENE 5 | E 7 | — | NE 7 | ENE 6 | NE 6 | NE 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 37 | — | 55 | 111 | 357 | 543 | — | 41 | 55 | — | 61 | 100 | 113 | 75 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 19 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
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.
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