
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 16 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 16 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with 1,603 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 16 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period with NNW 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 Sunday (Aug 16) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s. Another secondary swell of 0.1m and 16s is also forecast. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Praia das Macas in the next 16 days are 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 16) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 16s period and expected on Monday (Aug 17) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Sun 16th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the menu for our local stretch at Praia das Macas.
Right off the bat, this forecast is a bit of a slow burner. The first few days are a write-off—nothing but choppy, cross-onshore wind and poor surf. We’re talking from Tuesday the 11th right through to Saturday the 15th of August, with weak, messy conditions. The swell energy is weak to moderate early on (around 114 to 312), and the wind just won’t play nice. It’s not worth paddling out. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.
The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday morning, the 16th of August. For a few hours, the wind drops to absolutely glassy, and we’ve got a solid 8 ft swell rolling in from the NNW with a period of 9 seconds. The energy is pumping at 1079, so there’s plenty of power. This is excellent surf, but let’s be real—at 8 ft, it’s one for the experienced crew only. Beginners, sit this one out. The catch is it’s a short window, and the afternoon goes marginal.
Now, the standout of the whole outlook—and I mean the real jewel—is Monday morning, the 17th of August. We’ve got clean conditions with a light offshore breeze from the east at just 3 mph, and a 7 ft NNW swell packing 750 units of energy. That’s a beautiful combo. The swell’s not too big, the wind’s offshore, and the break should be clean and well-shaped. This is your session. The only downside is the afternoon turns onshore again, so get it early.
After that, things get messy again. Tuesday the 18th has a clean morning but the wind shifts, and by Wednesday the 19th we’re back to cross-on slop. The swell stays big through the 20th and 21st, hitting 10 ft with energy over 1600, but the wind is all wrong—fresh to strong breezes from the NNW just ruin the surface. Honestly, for those days, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, unless you’re a total charger.
The second week is a mixed bag of lumpy, windy, and messy. There’s a moment on the 24th and 25th with some cross-shore wind and moderate swells, but it’s never clean enough to get excited about. The swell direction is stubbornly NNW, and the wind just won’t let up.
So, bottom line: your best bet is Monday morning, the 17th of August. Get on it early, before the wind turns. Sunday morning is a close second if you’re experienced and want glassy conditions with a bit more size. After that, it’s a waiting game.
Rusty, signing off.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sat night, light winds from the NW by Sun morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 12 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
42 | 71 | 120 | 158 | 150 | 154 | 218 | 166 | 130 | 269 | 443 | 662 | 683 | 1603 | 1302 | 940 | 815 | 829 | 612 | 688 | |
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 |
High Tide | 2:53AM2.75m | 3:10PM3.11m | 3:38AM2.85m | 3:53PM3.20m | 4:19AM2.88m | 4:35PM3.20m | 4:59AM2.85m | 5:14PM3.09m | 5:38AM2.76m | 5:53PM2.90m | 6:15AM2.62m | 6:32PM2.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:43PM0.09m | 8:54AM0.18m | 9:29PM-0.05m | 9:37AM0.07m | 10:11PM-0.10m | 10:18AM0.04m | 10:50PM-0.07m | 10:57AM0.08m | 11:28PM0.05m | 11:36AM0.20m | 00:04AM0.23m | 12:15PM0.37m | 00:40AM0.45m | |||||||
— | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | S 12 | — | S 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NNW 9 | SW 15 | SSW 16 |
40 | 71 | 120 | 154 | 150 | 154 | 218 | 166 | 130 | 3 | — | 6 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 829 | 9 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | — | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | S 13 | — | S 12 | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 17 | S 13 |
35 | 40 | 35 | — | 18 | 18 | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 9 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
42 | 52 | 28 | 158 | 53 | 40 | 87 | 114 | 125 | 269 | 443 | 662 | 683 | 1603 | 1302 | 940 | 815 | — | 612 | 688 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 420 | 15 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 203 | 21 | 109 | 584 | 222 | 212 | 587 | 213 | 22 | 604 | 22 | 22 | 206 | 115 |
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.











