
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 8 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with 823 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 15 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period with NW 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 Tuesday (Sep 15) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. Another secondary swell of 0.3m and 2s is also forecast. 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 2.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Tue 15th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Praia das Macas.
To be straight with you, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim. The wind is a real problem. The first solid week, from the 7th through to the 14th, is basically a write-off. We’re looking at a solid run of cross-onshore and cross winds, mostly from the north and northwest, blowing anywhere from 9 mph to 22 mph. That’s going to turn the ocean into a lumpy, choppy mess. The swell is coming in from the west and northwest, with heights around 3 ft to 7 ft, but with that wind, it’s just not going to be clean. The combined wave energy sits between 188 and 690, which is moderate to strong, but it’s all wasted energy. There’s simply no point paddling out.
We do see a bit of a change on the morning of the 15th. The wind swings around to the southeast at 6 mph, giving us a clean, cross-offshore breeze. The swell drops right down to 2 ft from the northwest, with a period of 9 seconds, and the combined energy is weak at 121. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. It’s the kind of day you might get a few fun little waves if you’re desperate, but it’s nothing to get excited about. The water temperature is sitting at 68°, which is about average for this time of year.
The real standout, the only one that catches my eye, is the morning of Saturday the 19th. We’ve got a light southeast breeze at 3 mph, which is a clean cross-offshore wind. The swell jumps up to 7 ft from the north-northwest, with a period of 8 seconds. The combined energy is a solid 503, which is moderate to strong. The forecast is calling for “expect very good surf conditions”. This is the one to mark on your calendar. For a beginner spot like Praia das Macas, 7 ft is getting a bit big, but the clean conditions will make it tempting for anyone with a bit of experience. Just keep in mind that 7 ft is on the bigger side, so it might be a bit much for total beginners.
After that, the swell drops back down and the cross-onshore winds return, so it’s back to the same old story for the rest of the window. The morning of the 22nd has a 7 ft swell from the north-northwest and the energy hits 740, but it’s got a gentle cross-onshore breeze, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy. It’s still a marginal day.
So, my final call: the morning of the 19th is your best bet. It’s the only window where the stars align for clean, solid surf. The rest of the period is a waiting game.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Mon afternoon, min 18°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue night, strong winds from the N by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Thu afternoon). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Thu afternoon, light winds from the N by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | ||||||||||||||
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 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
628 | 423 | 400 | 180 | 152 | 322 | 468 | 550 | 532 | 459 | 325 | 135 | 232 | 69 | 132 | 140 | 151 | 340 | 511 | 463 | |
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 | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:04AM2.39m | 1:21PM2.73m | 1:55AM2.59m | 2:09PM2.95m | 2:38AM2.76m | 2:52PM3.09m | 3:17AM2.87m | 3:31PM3.15m | 3:54AM2.92m | 4:08PM3.11m | 4:29AM2.90m | 4:44PM2.99m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:52PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.55m | 7:45PM0.26m | 7:56AM0.34m | 8:29PM0.07m | 8:38AM0.17m | 9:09PM-0.04m | 9:17AM0.06m | 9:45PM-0.07m | 9:54AM0.03m | 10:19PM-0.02m | 10:30AM0.08m | 10:52PM0.10m | |||||||
— | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 20 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 21 |
Feels °C | 18 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | — | NW 12 | NW 13 | NNW 12 | W 8 | W 10 | NNW 10 | W 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 |
628 | 423 | 400 | 180 | 152 | — | 6 | 42 | 91 | 10 | 2 | 135 | 4 | 27 | 132 | 49 | 151 | 264 | 511 | 463 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 15 | — | NW 10 | — | — | W 7 | WNW 8 | W 7 | W 10 | WNW 12 | NW 15 | NW 13 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | 67 | — | — | 4 | 7 | 4 | 49 | 14 | 143 | 340 | 142 | 74 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 10 | W 9 | NW 8 | W 11 | NW 13 | NW 18 | WNW 9 | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 46 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — |
57 | 30 | 36 | 16 | 88 | 322 | 468 | 550 | 532 | 459 | 325 | 87 | 232 | 69 | — | 140 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 203 | 14 | 14 | 398 | 115 | 285 | 449 | 115 | 16 | 463 | 109 | 109 | 204 | 109 | 15 | 449 | 14 | 14 | 22 | 14 |
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.










