
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 5 Sep 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 10 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 6.5ft (2.0m), 11s period, NNW swell with 887 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 2.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 10) 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 13s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 12) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 10th Sep) | 6.5ft (2.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s cooking at Praia das Macas over the next couple of weeks.
Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you: the first week is a tough one. We’re looking at a real dry spell for quality waves. The water temp is sitting at 68°F, which is about 1°F cooler than usual for this time of year, so pretty average, nothing weird going on there.
Starting this Saturday, September 5th, we’ve got tiny swell around 3ft from the WNW with a period of 9 seconds, but the wind is a messy cross-onshore. The energy is weak (121), and the report is calling it poor surf conditions. Sunday the 6th sees the swell bump up to 4ft from the NW with a better 12-second period, and the energy jumps to moderate (538), but that wind swings cross-shore and then fresh cross-onshore in the afternoon, ruining any chance of clean waves. Monday the 7th keeps the 5ft WNW swell going with a solid 12-second period (energy 863), but again, the wind is a problem – cross-shore in the morning, then a strong cross-onshore in the arvo. This pattern of onshore junk continues all the way through the rest of the week. Tuesday through to the following Monday (the 14th) is just a parade of cross-onshore winds and lumpy, choppy conditions. The swell size fluctuates between 3ft and 7ft, but the quality is consistently poor. There’s a stretch here of over a week where there’s nothing worth paddling out for.
Now, hang in there, because things start to look up around Tuesday, September 15th. That morning, we finally get a decent window. The swell is 7ft from the NNW with an 8-second period, and the energy is strong (779). The wind switches to a light cross-offshore breeze, and the report says “clean.” This is the standout of the whole outlook – the best conditions for a proper session, but keep in mind that 7ft is starting to get a bit hefty for beginners. Wednesday the 16th morning is also interesting with a 8ft NNW swell (energy a massive 1533), but the wind is a light cross-shore, and the report calls it “marginal.” That 8ft size is pushing into expert-only territory, especially with that short 8-second period that can make it a bit walled up and tricky. The wind is light, so it might be clean enough for the experienced crew.
After that little burst of energy, the last few days of the forecast fade out. Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th drop back down to 5ft and then 3ft, with the wind finally turning offshore on Saturday morning (ESE at 6 mph). It’s small and clean, but very ordinary. Sunday the 20th is tiny at 2ft.
So the bottom line: the first week is a write-off. The best bet by a long shot is the morning of Tuesday, September 15th. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time the wind and swell come together for something worth getting wet for.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Sat morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat morning, fresh winds from the N by Mon afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the NNW on Tue night, strong winds from the NNW by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | WNW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | W 14 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
101 | 106 | 380 | 442 | 304 | 515 | 705 | 628 | 423 | 281 | 180 | 135 | 201 | 352 | 627 | 421 | 887 | 269 | 188 | 176 | 172 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:27PM2.08m | 11:05AM2.27m | 11:58PM2.19m | 12:23PM2.48m | 1:04AM2.39m | 1:21PM2.73m | 1:55AM2.59m | 2:09PM2.95m | 2:38AM2.76m | 2:52PM3.09m | 3:17AM2.87m | 3:31PM3.15m | 3:54AM2.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:00PM0.84m | 4:37AM0.91m | 5:40PM0.72m | 6:04AM0.77m | 6:52PM0.49m | 7:07AM0.55m | 7:45PM0.26m | 7:56AM0.34m | 8:29PM0.07m | 8:38AM0.17m | 9:09PM-0.04m | 9:17AM0.06m | 9:45PM-0.07m | ||||||||
7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | |
— | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 25 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | W 14 | W 12 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 15 | NNW 12 | NW 11 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 |
101 | 106 | 380 | 442 | 304 | 515 | 705 | 628 | 423 | 281 | 180 | 135 | 22 | 8 | 104 | 189 | 18 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NW 16 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | N 16 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | W 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 8 |
14 | 86 | 101 | 82 | 44 | 173 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | 21 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | WNW 18 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 15 | S 14 | — | S 13 |
6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 61 | 28 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | — | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 5 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 |
— | 11 | 13 | 9 | 35 | 77 | 71 | 102 | 81 | 69 | 58 | 11 | 201 | 352 | 627 | 421 | 887 | 269 | 188 | 176 | 172 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 204 | 15 | 14 | 203 | 15 | 14 | 596 | 129 | 581 | 377 | 222 | 21 | 426 | 160 | 526 | 516 | 109 |
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.










