
Surf Forecasts:
Porto da Cruz surf forecast from 19 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 7AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 7s period, NE swell with 355 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 1.9m 7s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 7AM. 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 | 7AM (Sun 26th Jul) | 6ft (1.9m) 7s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Porto da Cruz over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you about this stretch of the north coast. We’re looking at Porto da Cruz, and honestly, it’s a tough run for the next 16 days. The wind is stuck onshore from the north, and the swell is mostly short-period, messy stuff. There’s no real standout period, and the scores are all poor.
Right from this Sunday, the 19th of July, we’ve got small, weak swell. The morning is only 3 ft from the NE with a period of 5 seconds, and the combined energy is a measly 39 (weak). The wind is a cross-on 9 mph from the N, so it’s choppy. That’s a no-go. Sunday afternoon drops to 2 ft, same story. This flat spell runs right through the week.
The swell does build a little by Tuesday the 21st, up to 4 ft from the NNE, period still a short 6 seconds, but the energy climbs to 110 (moderate). Still, with that cross-on wind, it’s just poor. Wednesday the 22nd is similar, 3 ft to 4 ft, period 7-8 seconds, energy up to 175, but the wind is still ruining it.
By Thursday the 23rd we get to 5 ft from the NNE, period 8 seconds, and energy hitting 259 (moderate). That’s more size, but the wind is still cross-on at 9 mph. The quality is poor. That pattern holds through the end of July: size fluctuates, but the wind never cleans up. On the 25th and 26th, we’re seeing 6 ft to 6 ft, but the wind picks up to 12 mph, making it even choppier. Energy is strong at 340 (moderate) on the 26th morning, but the surf is still blown out.
The one event that might get your attention is on the 29th of July. The swell jumps to 8 ft from the NNE with a period of 8 seconds, and the energy is a massive 727 (strong) in the morning, hitting 1001 (very strong) in the afternoon. That’s a lot of water moving. But here’s the kicker: the wind is cross-on from the NNW at 9-16 mph. Even with that size, the conditions are rated poor. At 8 ft, this is expert territory, and with that onshore wind, it’s going to be a washing machine. Not safe for beginners.
The 30th of July is the biggest of the run, with 10 ft from the NNE and a period of 10 seconds. The energy is 1850 (very strong) in the morning. That is a serious groundswell. But again, the wind is cross-on from the NNW at 16 mph. This is big, powerful, and messy. More of a kite surfer's wave than a paddle surfer's dream. It’s only for the most experienced, and even then, the conditions are poor.
After that, the swell slowly drops through the 1st and 2nd of August, settling back to 5 ft-6 ft with the same cross-on wind. The very last entry on the 3rd of August shows a shift to an onshore wind from the NNE at 9 mph, with 6 ft swell and energy 478 (moderate). Still, it’s described as poor.
So, here’s the truth: there is no good surf on offer in the 16-day window. The wind is your enemy for the entire outlook. The sea temperature is about average for the time of year. If you’re desperate, the 30th of July has the most size, but only for experts who don’t mind a battle. For everyone else, save your energy. This stretch tends to have these blank runs, but forecasts can change. Keep an eye on the wind.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue afternoon, min 20°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue 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) | NE 5 | ENE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
36 | 20 | 40 | 43 | 55 | 89 | 77 | 99 | 90 | 99 | 172 | 227 | 256 | 257 | 140 | 136 | 149 | 201 | 261 | 268 | 314 | |
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 | 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 | 6:19AM1.88m | 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 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 17 | ENE 5 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | ENE 6 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | E 5 | SSW 12 | E 5 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | SSW 12 | S 11 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | S 12 |
29 | 20 | 50 | 47 | 41 | 42 | 33 | 35 | 34 | 5 | 30 | 8 | 28 | 29 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 3 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | SSW 16 | S 10 | S 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | SSW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | SSW 12 | NW 9 | SSW 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | S 16 | S 13 | S 15 | SSW 15 | S 10 |
3 | 25 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 10 | 9 | 30 | 3 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 10 | E 7 | NW 8 | NW 9 | S 9 | S 9 | SSW 12 | S 9 | S 9 | WNW 9 | S 8 | NW 9 | — | S 18 | S 18 | S 16 | S 13 | S 17 | W 7 | W 10 | W 10 |
8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 3 | — | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NE 5 | N 4 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 5 | NE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 7 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 8 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NNE 6 | NE 6 | NE 7 | NE 7 | NE 7 |
36 | 9 | 40 | 43 | 55 | 89 | 77 | 99 | 90 | 99 | 172 | 227 | 256 | 257 | 140 | 136 | 149 | 201 | 261 | 268 | 314 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 22 | 28 | 38 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 19 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 523 | 508 | 38 | 508 |
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.










