Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 6 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 31 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with 788 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 6 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 12s 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 (Sep 06) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 12s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 9s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore 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 Monday (Aug 31) at 10PM. 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+) | 4AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 6th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Mon 31st Aug) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve scanned the charts for the next 16 days, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a rough stretch for Praia das Macas. The whole period is a write-off for decent surf; the conditions are just plain hostile. There’s nothing to recommend, not a single window where it all comes together. You’re looking at a solid 16-day blank run. It’s a tough one for this area, but sometimes the ocean just doesn’t play ball. Forecasts can always flip, so don’t bin your boards just yet.
Right now, and for the entire run, the wind is the enemy. It’s relentless, from the north and northwest, mostly cross-onshore and strong, gusting up to 22 mph, tearing the surface to bits. Out of the gate on Sunday the 30th, there’s a NW swell around 4 ft with a short 8-second period, but it’s blown out with a fresh cross-onshore wind and choppy as all hell. The combined energy reading is a moderate 218, but with that wind, it’s just ugly. That trend just keeps going.
On Monday the 1st of September, the swell pushes up to 6 ft from the NNW, period hanging around 9-10 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to 695, then 565. That’s a decent amount of power in the water, but you won’t see a single clean face. The wind is still fresh cross-onshore at 22 mph. For a beginner spot, that 6 ft is already touchy, and in these conditions, it's a mess.
As we roll into the second week, the swell drops off, but the wind stays stubborn. By Sunday the 6th of September morning, the wind eases to a gentle 9 mph from the north, cross-shore. The swell is 5 ft from the NW with an 11-second period and combined energy of 498 – that’s the closest we get to anything promising. The file even calls it ‘marginal surf forecast or questionable tide conditions’. It’s a tease, but given the weeks prior, it’s still not good enough to call a go. The afternoon immediately gets blown out again. The rest of the week is more of the same: onshore winds, lumpy, choppy, and poor.
Heading into the second weekend, the 12th and 13th, the wind actually swings around to the SSW and WSW, but it’s still cross-onshore with rain showers. The swell drops to under 3 ft from the WNW, with combined energy falling below 100 – weak and gutless. The water temp is 68°, which is normal for the time of year. So, nothing to see here. Save your energy and wait for the next pattern shift.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
214 | 383 | 230 | 179 | 684 | 341 | 565 | 591 | 500 | 334 | 247 | 193 | 181 | 153 | 149 | 191 | 309 | 372 | 277 | 507 | 274 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:42PM2.96m | 5:02AM2.77m | 5:17PM2.89m | 5:38AM2.72m | 5:55PM2.75m | 6:17AM2.61m | 6:39PM2.56m | 7:04AM2.46m | 7:33PM2.34m | 8:06AM2.30m | 8:48PM2.14m | 9:30AM2.21m | 10:27PM2.08m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:29AM0.15m | 10:53PM0.10m | 11:03AM0.19m | 11:27PM0.17m | 11:40AM0.27m | 00:04AM0.31m | 12:22PM0.41m | 00:47AM0.49m | 1:14PM0.59m | 1:41AM0.70m | 2:23PM0.76m | 2:57AM0.88m | 4:00PM0.84m | ||||||||
7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
— | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 26 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 25 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 8 | W 13 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 16 | NW 10 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NNW 7 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | NNW 8 | NW 14 | NNW 9 |
214 | 3 | 230 | 179 | 11 | 341 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 181 | 21 | 29 | 121 | 309 | 372 | 159 | 167 | 274 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 13 | — | — | W 11 | S 11 | SW 16 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | — | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | WNW 10 | SW 12 | NW 12 |
4 | — | — | 21 | 2 | 10 | — | — | — | 22 | — | 21 | 9 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 22 | 7 | 277 | 6 | 214 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | W 16 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | NW 16 | — | WNW 10 |
— | — | — | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20 | 20 | 5 | 7 | 7 | — | 41 | — | 77 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 9 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 10 | NNW 6 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | — | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | — | NW 10 | — |
— | 383 | 57 | 88 | 684 | 197 | 565 | 591 | 500 | 334 | 247 | 193 | — | 153 | 149 | 191 | 186 | 121 | — | 507 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 425 | 21 | 222 | 222 | 222 | 222 | 222 | 115 | 16 | 204 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 203 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 16 |
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.











