Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,061 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Praia das Macas this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Praia das Macas in the next 16 days are 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 0.2m 16s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright crew, Rusty here again with the same outlook in proper feet and knots. Let's break down this 16-day stretch.
The first week or so is a total washout. From now all the way until the morning of Friday the 28th of August, the wind is just wrecking everything. Strong cross-shore breezes and lumpy, choppy surf. There’s some swell around, but you’d be flogging a dead horse trying to get a clean wave.
Then, on the morning of Friday the 28th of August, the stars align. Praia das Macas is the place to be. We’ve got a solid groundswell coming in at about 7 feet from the WNW with a period of 11 seconds. The magic part is the wind – it drops to just a 3 mph breeze from the southeast and the ocean goes glassy. It’s absolutely clean. The wave energy is pumping at a very strong 1061. This is serious, powerful stuff for experienced surfers only – way too big for the groms. The water is sitting around 67°F, which is a couple of degrees colder than usual for late August, so you'll want a spring suit.
After that one perfect morning, it all turns to custard again. The afternoon gets onshore, and then we’re back into a long stretch of strong northerly winds and messy, lumpy waves right through the first week of September. There’s a promising long-period NW swell on the morning of Saturday the 5th of September at about 5 feet, but with a 15 mph cross-shore wind, it’s just chopped up. The biggest energy reading of the whole period comes on the morning of Sunday the 6th of September with a 8 foot NNW swell and an enormous 1696, but it’s cross-onshore and messy. So, mark your calendar for Friday the 28th of August. That’s your best shot by a long way. Keep in mind that this spot can get crowded when it’s good.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, light winds from the W by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat night, fresh winds from the N by Mon afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 5 | W 6 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 176 | 273 | 407 | 463 | 612 | 1061 | 892 | 597 | 379 | 288 | 173 | 191 | 441 | 489 | 357 | 526 | 626 | 586 | 559 | 514 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | on | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 2:35PM2.67m | 2:55AM2.53m | 3:07PM2.82m | 3:27AM2.65m | 3:38PM2.93m | 3:58AM2.73m | 4:10PM2.98m | 4:29AM2.78m | 4:42PM2.96m | 5:02AM2.77m | 5:17PM2.89m | 5:38AM2.72m | 5:55PM2.75m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:21AM0.53m | 8:49PM0.37m | 8:53AM0.37m | 9:20PM0.23m | 9:25AM0.25m | 9:51PM0.13m | 9:56AM0.18m | 10:21PM0.08m | 10:29AM0.15m | 10:53PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.19m | 11:27PM0.17m | 11:40AM0.27m | 00:04AM0.31m | |||||||
7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | 11 | — | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | S 10 | — | NW 8 | NW 11 | S 12 | WNW 11 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
15 | 4 | 273 | 5 | 5 | 612 | 1061 | 892 | 597 | 379 | 2 | — | 191 | 441 | 3 | 40 | 11 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | NW 12 | NW 8 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | S 10 | — | — | NNW 13 | — | — | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | S 10 |
3 | 5 | 5 | — | 6 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 16 | — | — | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | SW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | — | S 18 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | W 6 | — | W 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | NNW 4 | — | NW 8 | NW 8 | — | NW 3 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
74 | 176 | — | 407 | 463 | — | — | — | 15 | — | 288 | 173 | — | 5 | 489 | 357 | 526 | 626 | 586 | 559 | 514 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 438 | 436 | 62 | 425 | 203 | 14 | 21 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 425 | 14 | 14 | 420 | 15 | 21 | 420 | 222 | 222 | 222 | 109 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Lisboa | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











