
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 30 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, WNW swell with 138 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 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be onshore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for the next couple of weeks. To be honest, the first ten days or so are a write-off, so don’t bother checking the cam until the second week of August.
The entire forecast period is centred on Praia das Macas. It’s an exposed beach break, and the optimum swell direction is from the NW, which is a decent match for what’s coming. But the wind is a killer. From now until around the 10th of August, it’s a constant cross-onshore mess, with a moderate to fresh breeze ruining any chance of clean waves. The wave energy is weak to moderate (85 to 202), with wave heights barely reaching 4 ft, and the period is short and jumbled. There’s nothing to get excited about—it’s a solid block of poor surf conditions.
Then, around the 11th of August, things start to get a bit more interesting. On Tuesday morning, we see a jump in the swell to 6 ft from the NNW, with a period of 7 seconds. The wind swings light cross-onshore, which is a major improvement. The energy jumps to 297 (moderate). By Tuesday afternoon, the swell bumps up to 6 ft from the NNW, period 8 seconds, and the wind turns onshore but remains moderate. The wave energy is now strong at 454. This is still a bit raw, but it’s the first real sign of life.
The standout window is Wednesday, 12th August. The morning session sees 6 ft of NNW swell with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is light cross-onshore, which will give you clean, workable conditions at the break. The combined swell energy is strong at 536. This is the best wave energy of the entire period, and the light wind will make it surfable. The wave height is right on the edge of being too big for beginners, but for experienced surfers, this is the pick. The NNW direction is a solid match for the optimum NW swell direction. The afternoon holds similar size at 6 ft, but the wind picks up to a moderate cross-onshore, so the morning is the better call. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so be prepared for a few others with the same idea.
After that, it drops off. Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th see the swell fade back to 2 ft to 3 ft with messy wind, so don’t expect much.
So, the one true standout is Wednesday morning, 12th August. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only window where the swell size, energy, and wind align for a decent paddle. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no need for a winter suit.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Mon afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | Tuesday 4 | Wednesday 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) | WNW 10 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
54 | 67 | 32 | 22 | 48 | 88 | 78 | 110 | 85 | 55 | 70 | 67 | 61 | 60 | 138 | 101 | 94 | 90 | 65 | 60 | 83 | |
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 | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:07PM2.82m | 4:26AM2.57m | 4:39PM2.85m | 4:59AM2.59m | 5:12PM2.84m | 5:32AM2.58m | 5:45PM2.79m | 6:07AM2.54m | 6:21PM2.69m | 6:46AM2.47m | 7:03PM2.56m | 7:32AM2.38m | 7:54PM2.40m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:51AM0.36m | 10:20PM0.28m | 10:23AM0.31m | 10:52PM0.25m | 10:55AM0.31m | 11:24PM0.25m | 11:29AM0.34m | 11:58PM0.29m | 12:05PM0.41m | 00:34AM0.38m | 12:46PM0.51m | 1:17AM0.49m | 1:35PM0.63m | 2:09AM0.63m | |||||||
6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | |
— | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | — | 8:45 | — | — | 8:45 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 17 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 7 | W 11 |
54 | 35 | 32 | 16 | 27 | 88 | 78 | 71 | 56 | 55 | 70 | 67 | 61 | 60 | 138 | 101 | 94 | 90 | 65 | 26 | 83 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | N 10 | NW 8 | NW 8 | W 11 | NW 11 | NNW 10 | W 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | NNW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | N 8 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | NNW 8 |
26 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 21 | — | 11 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 35 | 44 | 37 | 43 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 10 | — | N 9 | W 12 | — | N 9 | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | NNW 7 | N 4 | SW 13 | N 8 | N 7 | N 9 | WNW 10 | N 8 | SW 12 |
2 | — | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 5 | 6 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 3 | NW 8 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 7 | W 3 | — | — | W 6 | — | — | NW 8 | NW 3 |
3 | 67 | 18 | 22 | 48 | 77 | 59 | 110 | 85 | 50 | 68 | 17 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 26 | — | — | 60 | 3 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 15 | 566 | 290 | 158 | 449 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 14 | 14 | 379 | 14 | 14 | 425 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
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.










