Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s period, NNW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with 1,312 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 19 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 8s 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 Wednesday (Aug 19) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 8s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. 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 3.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM. 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 15s period and expected on Tuesday (Aug 18) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 19th Aug) | 4ft (1.2m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on offer for the Praia das Macas zone.
Straight up, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it – the next 16 days are looking pretty bleak. The only window that even looks like a proper paddle is Tuesday morning, the 18th of August. After that, it’s a long, boring stretch.
So, for that one standout, Tuesday morning the 18th is your go. We’ve got a clean 1.4m (5ft) swell from the NNW, with a period of 8 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze from the south at 15 km/h (9 mph), which will keep the surface clean. It’s a beginner-friendly break, so that 1.4m (5ft) is well within range. The water temperature is sitting at 20° (69°F), which is pretty average for the time of year – nothing weird there. The combined swell energy is only moderate at 255, so it won’t be a powerhouse, but it’s enough for a fun session. Just be aware, this spot can get crowded sometimes, so you might have some company.
But that’s where the good news ends. From Tuesday afternoon onward, the wind swings onshore and stays that way. The swell tries to pick up a few times, especially around the 21st and 22nd of August, with waves hitting 1.6m to 2.4m (5ft to 8ft), and even a big 3.0m (10ft) on the 23rd. But with strong to fresh cross-onshore winds blowing 30 to 40 km/h (19 to 25 mph), it’s going to be a total mess. That kind of setup on a beach break is more interesting for the kite surfers than for us. The period is short, around 7 to 10 seconds, so you’re not getting any real groundswell punch.
There is one tiny glimmer on the morning of Monday the 31st of August. The wind goes glassy, with a light offshore breeze from the NE, but the swell is tiny at 0.8m (3ft). It’s surfable, but very ordinary. The 1st of September has a little 1.4m (5ft) NW swell, but the wind is cross and the period is short again.
So, bottom line: if you can get out Tuesday morning the 18th, you’ll score. After that, it’s a long, quiet stretch of onshore slop and tiny waves. It’s a blank run, but for this area, it’s not unheard of. Forecasts can change, but right now, I’d be looking at other plans.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the N by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 19°C on Fri afternoon). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 243 | 237 | 159 | 97 | 72 | 51 | 62 | 61 | 329 | 242 | 904 | 456 | 674 | 604 | 891 | 1175 | 931 | 618 | 468 | 273 | 151 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | glassy | cross-off | 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 | 7:13PM2.39m | 7:37AM2.27m | 8:01PM2.14m | 8:29AM2.10m | 9:05PM1.94m | 9:44AM1.98m | 10:36PM1.85m | 11:16AM1.99m | 00:04AM1.90m | 12:30PM2.12m | 1:04AM2.05m | 1:21PM2.30m | 1:47AM2.21m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:56PM0.58m | 1:18AM0.68m | 1:42PM0.79m | 2:03AM0.90m | 2:42PM0.98m | 3:06AM1.07m | 4:10PM1.09m | 4:41AM1.14m | 5:49PM1.05m | 6:08AM1.05m | 6:56PM0.90m | 7:05AM0.89m | 7:41PM0.72m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | WNW 9 | W 8 | NW 11 | SSW 14 | NNW 12 | SSW 14 | WNW 9 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 243 | 237 | 159 | 97 | 72 | 30 | 19 | 61 | 37 | 172 | 21 | 15 | 20 | 26 | 20 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 11 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | W 11 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 14 | — | — | — | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 38 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 51 | 62 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 10 | 18 | — | 20 | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | W 8 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 4 | S 4 | NNW 13 | SSW 15 | — | NNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 9 | — | W 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 5 | 21 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 21 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | 329 | 242 | 904 | 456 | 674 | 604 | 891 | 1175 | 931 | 618 | 468 | 273 | 151 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 195 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 14 | 15 | 439 | 307 | 15 | 618 | 129 | 548 | 618 | 468 | 285 | 687 | 449 | 567 | 800 | 109 |
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.
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