
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 1 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 6 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 9s period, NNW swell with 254 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Monday 3 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 2ft (0.6m), 9s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Praia das Macas this week:
The surf forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Monday (Aug 03) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.6m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 5s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Praia das Macas in the next 16 days are 1.3m 9s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 06) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 12s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Mon 3rd Aug) | 2ft (0.6m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Thu 6th Aug) | 4.5ft (1.3m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's get straight into it. We've got a pretty lean 16-day stretch ahead for Praia das Macas, and I'll be honest with you, it's not looking like a classic setup. There's a long gap with no real swell to speak of before we get a tiny window of something rideable, so be patient.
The outlook kicks off on Saturday, 1st August, but don't get your hopes up. The swell is small and weak with a combined energy of just 155. The wind is a moderate cross-onshore breeze from the North, making it choppy. Water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is about average for this time of year. It's a similar story right through the first week and into the next – the swell is puny, the wind is mostly cross-on or onshore, and the conditions are just poor. We've got a solid block of days with no real surf until we get to the middle of the second week. After that, the swell does start to build, but it's constantly plagued by cross-onshore winds, lumpy and messy seas, and scores that don't inspire any confidence.
The only real standout, believe it or not, comes on the morning of Wednesday, 12th August. The wind drops to nothing – glassy conditions – and combined energy reaches a moderate 190. The swell is a small 4 ft from the NNW, but with a short period of just 6 seconds, it's going to be a bit weak and mushy. The comment says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions," which is about as good as it gets. If you're a beginner, this is your window. The water is flat calm, the waves are small, and it's about as safe as it gets. But this is a one-off, and the afternoon goes back to poor conditions.
The following day, Thursday 13th August, has a similar size swell at 4 ft from the NNW, but it's back to a light cross-onshore breeze and small ripples. The energy is up to 261, but it's still only rated as marginal. Other than that, the rest of the forecast period is a write-off. The surf just isn't on for the most part. For a spot that's usually consistent, this is a dry spell. The swell gets bigger in the weekend of the 15th and 16th, hitting 6 ft, but the wind is a strong breeze, making it a messy, lumpy mess. That's more of a kite-surfing or windsurfing setup than a paddle-surfing one.
So, to sum it up: don't hold your breath. There's a single, very brief window of glassy, surfable waves on the morning of Wednesday the 12th of August. Everything else is a fight against the wind. It's a tough outlook, but it can change. Keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Thu afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 5 | Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | |||||||||||||||
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 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
78 | 90 | 72 | 56 | 70 | 68 | 60 | 99 | 62 | 129 | 118 | 90 | 65 | 55 | 52 | 254 | 146 | 100 | 57 | 146 | 65 | |
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 | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 5:12PM2.84m | 5:32AM2.58m | 5:45PM2.79m | 6:07AM2.54m | 6:21PM2.69m | 6:46AM2.47m | 7:03PM2.56m | 7:32AM2.38m | 7:54PM2.40m | 8:30AM2.28m | 9:01PM2.26m | 9:44AM2.23m | 10:26PM2.18m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:55AM0.31m | 11:24PM0.25m | 11:29AM0.34m | 11:58PM0.29m | 12:05PM0.41m | 00:34AM0.38m | 12:46PM0.51m | 1:17AM0.49m | 1:35PM0.63m | 2:09AM0.63m | 2:39PM0.75m | 3:17AM0.76m | 4:02PM0.80m | ||||||||
6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
— | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | NNW 8 | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 |
78 | 71 | 56 | 53 | 70 | 68 | 60 | 99 | 57 | 129 | 118 | 90 | 65 | 55 | 39 | 49 | 70 | 71 | 39 | 28 | 65 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | — | N 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 7 | WNW 7 | S 12 | W 10 | W 9 | S 12 | WNW 9 |
19 | — | 13 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 62 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 49 | 52 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 47 | 43 | 3 | 26 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | N 5 | N 8 | SW 13 | N 8 | NNW 9 | W 10 | S 12 | W 10 | SW 12 | — | SW 13 | S 13 | — | S 12 |
1 | — | 6 | — | — | 11 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 18 | 3 | 52 | 6 | — | 7 | 3 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | WSW 2 | — | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NW 3 |
57 | 90 | 72 | 56 | 47 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 6 | 11 | 254 | 146 | 100 | 57 | 146 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 21 | 15 | 58 | 968 | 14 | 163 | 425 | 14 | 21 | 203 | 15 | 14 | 954 | 14 | 222 | 462 | 15 | 115 | 506 | 20 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Lisboa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Praia das Macas Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Praia das Macas provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Praia das Macas can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Praia das Macas 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 (Praia das Macas) 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 Praia das Macas 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.
Praia das Macas is 9 km (6 miles) from Sintra. If you plan a holiday in Lisboa, look for hotels and other accommodation in Sintra. Sintra has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.











