
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 20 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 26 Jul, 7PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 6s period, NNW swell with 200 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 1.7m 6s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Jul 26) at 7PM. 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 11s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Sun 26th Jul) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 6s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s break down the 16‑day window for Praia das Macas. It’s a consistent beginner spot that can fire when the NW swell lines up, but we’ve got a long stretch of flat or messy days ahead. The first real surf worth paddling out for doesn’t show until Tuesday the 28th of July, and even then it’s a one‑morning special before the wind turns. The standout is definitely Wednesday the 29th of July – that’s the day to circle on the calendar.
From now through Monday the 27th, it’s a write‑off. The swell is small, period short, and the wind is either onshore or cross‑onshore, kicking up chop. The 20th through the 27th will see nothing but poor surf conditions – don’t bother suiting up. That’s a solid eight‑day gap of no recommendations.
Then on Tuesday morning the 28th, a shift happens. The wind drops to glassy – calm, zero wind – and we get a 1.6m (about 5.2ft) swell from the NNW with a 7‑second period. The combined energy hits 257 (moderate), and the waves are clean. It’s not huge, but with offshore‑favouring conditions and that beginner‑friendly break, it’ll be fun for all levels. The swell direction is NNW, which is close to the optimum NW, so it’s a decent match. However, the period is short (7s), so the waves might be a bit mushy and close together. Still, it’s the first decent window. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect a few heads.
But the real prize is Wednesday morning the 29th. That’s when we get a 2.5m (about 8.2ft) swell from the NW, right out of the optimum direction, with a 9‑second period (solid groundswell energy). The combined energy is a hefty 1080 (strong). The wind is light and cross‑offshore from the south at 10 km/h (6.2 mph), keeping the faces clean. This is excellent surf – but it’s big. 2.5m (8.2ft) is a serious step up for a beginner spot, so this is one for experienced surfers only. The waves will have power, decent shape, and longer gaps between sets. Given the break is a beach setup (exposed, consistent), the longer period might make it a bit straight, but the cross‑off wind should help. If you’re comfortable in overhead surf, this is the best on offer in the whole forecast.
After Wednesday morning, the wind swings back onshore and the quality drops. Thursday the 30th has some clouds and marginal conditions – the swell drops to 2.2m (7.2ft) but the wind is onshore, making it messy. Friday the 31st through Monday the 3rd of August all show poor surf with strong cross‑onshore winds and lumpy, choppy seas. The swell stays around 2m to 2.5m (6.6ft to 8.2ft), but the wind ruins it. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd are particularly ugly with fresh breeze and lumpy conditions. Tuesday the 4th of August has a 3.0m (9.8ft) swell from the NNW but with a strong cross‑onshore breeze – that’s kite‑surfing territory, not paddle surfing.
So to wrap it up: the first week is a total dud. Tuesday the 28th morning offers a small, clean session for everyone. Wednesday the 29th morning is the standout – a solid NW swell with clean cross‑offshore wind, but only for those who can handle overhead waves. After that, it’s back to poor conditions. Get out there on the 29th if you’re experienced, or the 28th for
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Wed night, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NW on Wed night, strong winds from the NNW by Sat afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | Thursday 23 | Friday 24 | Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
67 | 131 | 105 | 120 | 106 | 77 | 59 | 60 | 44 | 36 | 65 | 37 | 30 | 104 | 58 | 50 | 77 | 56 | 55 | 129 | 161 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:42AM2.37m | 8:01PM2.46m | 8:33AM2.24m | 8:55PM2.23m | 9:31AM2.13m | 10:00PM2.06m | 10:39AM2.08m | 11:15PM1.99m | 11:50AM2.10m | 00:25AM2.02m | 12:51PM2.20m | 1:22AM2.12m | 1:41PM2.33m | 2:07AM2.24m | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:40PM0.61m | 2:16AM0.64m | 2:34PM0.79m | 3:08AM0.82m | 3:40PM0.93m | 4:12AM0.95m | 4:57PM0.99m | 5:24AM0.99m | 6:12PM0.94m | 6:30AM0.94m | 7:12PM0.84m | 7:23AM0.83m | 7:59PM0.70m | ||||||||
6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | |
— | 8:59 | — | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:57 | — | — | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:54 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | W 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 10 | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | S 11 | WNW 8 | NNW 7 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 |
12 | 10 | 105 | 120 | 106 | 77 | 59 | 31 | 44 | 36 | 16 | 37 | 30 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 16 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | N 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | — | S 12 | WNW 8 | W 11 | W 10 | W 8 | NNW 13 | NW 11 |
7 | 14 | 24 | 22 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 14 | — | 3 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 33 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | SW 16 | W 7 | W 7 | SW 14 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | N 10 | N 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | S 11 | — | — | W 11 | S 12 | S 11 | NW 14 | S 15 | S 12 |
15 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 4 | — | W 5 | WNW 6 | — | NW 7 | — | WNW 5 | NW 7 | WNW 4 | W 5 | NW 8 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
67 | 131 | 10 | — | 14 | 20 | — | 60 | — | 9 | 65 | 7 | 13 | 104 | 58 | 50 | 77 | 56 | 55 | 129 | 161 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 379 | 16 | 62 | 568 | 14 | 16 | 489 | 95 | 16 | 463 | 290 | 581 | 968 | 483 | 911 | 398 | 504 | 496 | 379 | 222 |
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.










