
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 16 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 21 Jul, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 9s period, NNW swell with 165 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 1.0m 9s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Jul 21) at 4PM. 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 12s period and expected on Friday (Jul 24) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 21st Jul) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's be straight with you – this stretch of coast is looking like a tough one for the next couple of weeks. We've got one break on the radar, Praia das Macas, and I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.
Overall, the pattern is a long, drawn-out period of onshore wind and messy surf. The wind's coming from the north and northwest for most of the time, keeping the waves choppy and ugly. It's a real shame because we do get some pulses of swell, but the wind just ruins it. The water temp is sitting at 66°, which is about average for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're getting battered.
We've got a full week of nothing good to start. From Thursday 16th July right through to the end of the week, the waves are tiny and the wind is a cross-onshore mess. The swell energy is weak, barely making it into the double digits at times, like a measly 26 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The waves are small, short period, and just not worth paddling out for.
The next week looks a little more promising in size, but not in quality. From Monday 20th July, the swell starts to build, but it's still all cross-onshore chop. The wind is a moderate breeze, and the waves are lumpy. By the time we get to the 25th and 26th of July, we're seeing some proper swell – 5ft on Saturday and 8ft on Sunday – but the wind is a strong breeze, making it a total mess. The energy is picking up, hitting 273 (combined energy of all swells directed here), but it's not for paddling. This setup is looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Now, the one potential standout, and it's a risky one, is on Monday 27th July. The data shows a 10ft swell from the NNW with a period of 9 seconds, and the wind is glassy in the morning. The issue is that the 10ft is predicted to be too big for this break. This is expert territory only. The energy is massive, with a reading of 1507 (combined energy of all swells directed here). If you're a charger and you know Praia das Macas, it might be a window, but it's a big call. The rest of that week after Monday just goes back to being onshore and messy, with another 28 mph breeze on the 31st.
So, to be honest, there's no real winner here. It’s a tough run. If you're desperate, maybe keep an eye on the 27th for the experts, but for everyone else, it's a blank run. That's the way it goes sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Thu 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | Monday 20 | Tuesday 21 | Wednesday 22 | ||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | WNW 8 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 46 | 75 | 41 | 67 | 116 | 108 | 88 | 165 | 51 | 39 | 31 | 27 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 4:57PM3.16m | 5:26AM2.76m | 5:42PM3.08m | 6:11AM2.66m | 6:27PM2.92m | 6:56AM2.52m | 7:13PM2.70m | 7:42AM2.37m | 8:01PM2.46m | 8:33AM2.24m | 8:55PM2.23m | 9:31AM2.13m | 10:00PM2.06m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:16PM-0.03m | 11:23AM0.16m | 00:01AM0.08m | 12:07PM0.27m | 00:45AM0.24m | 12:52PM0.43m | 1:29AM0.44m | 1:40PM0.61m | 2:16AM0.64m | 2:34PM0.79m | 3:08AM0.82m | 3:40PM0.93m | ||||||||
— | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:26 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:28 | — | — | 6:30 | — | — | |
— | 9:01 | — | — | 9:00 | — | — | 9:00 | — | — | 9:00 | — | 8:59 | — | — | 8:58 | — | — | 8:58 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
Feels °C | 21 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 19 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 8 | W 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | N 8 | N 9 | NNW 7 | N 7 |
26 | 24 | 22 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 37 | 34 | 51 | 39 | 15 | 23 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 6 | NW 6 | SW 6 | SW 6 | SW 5 | SW 5 | — | NW 8 | W 9 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | WNW 12 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | 3 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 12 | 31 | 27 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | N 6 | NW 5 | — | S 14 | S 13 | S 13 | W 10 | NW 10 | SW 18 | W 13 | WNW 12 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 15 | WNW 10 | NNW 9 | N 10 |
2 | 1 | 1 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | 8 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 5 | WNW 5 | WNW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NW 4 | NW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | WNW 6 | — | WNW 5 | WNW 5 |
9 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 19 | 23 | 46 | 75 | 41 | 67 | 116 | 108 | 88 | 165 | 20 | — | 15 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 358 | 548 | 571 | 379 | 887 | 483 | 379 | 290 | 192 | 379 | 115 | 192 | 425 | 142 | 58 | 489 | 16 | 156 | 584 | 20 |
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.










