
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-shore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 11ft (3.5m), 10s period, NNW swell with 2,133 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s 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 Thursday (Sep 17) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 3.0m and 10s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-shore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Praia das Macas in the next 16 days are 3.5m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 5s period and expected on Monday (Sep 21) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 11ft (3.5m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, let’s be honest with you, the next week or so is a bit of a grind for us here. These first few days we’ve got a lot of messy, cross-onshore wind and a lumpy, poor quality sea state. The swell is there, but it’s short-period windswell with a lot of energy (123 to 1575), but it’s just not going to be any fun. Tuesday the 15th is a write-off, and Wednesday the 16th is not even worth a look—we’re talking 10ft of close-range, blown-out junk with a near gale on it. That's only for the frothers, and even they'll be cursing it. Thursday and Friday are still poor, but there’s a bit of a drop coming.
Now, if you’re patient, it does clean up. Saturday morning on the 19th is where it starts to get interesting. The swell is down to a much more manageable 6ft, coming from the NW with a long 14s period. That’s a proper groundswell, and with glassy conditions and the wind swinging light out of the E, it’s going to be clean and lined up. The energy is strong at 1543, and this is the standout of the whole period. The water is also a bit colder than normal at 66°, which is notable.
Saturday afternoon gets a bit iffy with the wind turning onshore, but Sunday the 20th morning is another gem. It’s slightly smaller at 6ft, but it’s still solid NW groundswell with a 12s period, and we get a clean offshore SE breeze. That's going to be fantastic, clean surf. The energy is moderate at 808, but the quality will be there. Praia das Macas will be the place to be.
After that, it mellows out but stays fun. Monday and Tuesday mornings, the 21st and 22nd, have smaller but clean 3ft to 4ft waves with light offshore winds. Good for the log or a longboard. Then we get another little pulse of groundswell mid-week. Wednesday the 23rd has a 5ft glassy WNW swell with a very long 14s period—that’s another high-quality morning that’s worth setting an alarm for. The week after that (24th through 28th) continues with clean, glassy mornings and fun-sized surf, nothing huge, but really nice conditions. There’s a tiny window on the 27th and 28th mornings where it gets glassy and clean again with a little bump in size—looks promising but it’s further out, so don’t book the time off yet.
That long-period swell might be a bit tricky at the beach break, wanting to close out, but with the clean conditions and the right winds, it should be fine.
So, bottom line: the best of it is Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th. This is the one to go for. The water is a bit colder than normal. If the wind pumps like it’s supposed to, you’d hate to miss it.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Mainly strong winds. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun night, min 19°C on Fri afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri afternoon, calm by Sat morning). | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | ||||||||||||||
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 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
77 | 389 | 1441 | 1569 | 2133 | 1334 | 1034 | 1144 | 867 | 534 | 1308 | 1220 | 1589 | 1028 | 808 | 650 | 415 | 188 | 574 | 363 | |
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 | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | glassy | on | cross-on | off | on | cross-off | off | on | cross |
High Tide | 5:54PM2.57m | 6:10AM2.50m | 6:31PM2.32m | 6:48AM2.31m | 7:14PM2.08m | 7:37AM2.11m | 8:15PM1.88m | 8:51AM1.96m | 9:54PM1.78m | 10:36AM1.95m | 11:34PM1.85m | 11:57AM2.08m | 00:34AM2.01m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:55PM0.49m | 12:17PM0.56m | 00:29AM0.71m | 12:58PM0.78m | 1:10AM0.93m | 1:54PM0.99m | 2:10AM1.11m | 3:24PM1.12m | 3:52AM1.20m | 5:17PM1.08m | 5:34AM1.10m | 6:26PM0.92m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:24 | — | — | |
7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | — | 7:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 27 |
Feels °C | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 25 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | WNW 11 | S 13 | SW 13 | S 12 | NNW 10 | S 12 | SW 16 | NW 16 | NW 13 | NW 15 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 |
33 | 88 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1334 | 3 | 10 | 38 | 212 | 1308 | 1220 | 1589 | 1028 | 808 | 650 | 415 | 188 | 574 | 363 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | — | S 13 | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | S 11 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | NNW 8 | SW 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 11 | S 12 | NW 13 | S 11 | — |
13 | — | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 315 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 171 | 9 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 11 | S 11 | — | SW 14 | — | S 13 | S 13 | S 13 | S 10 | N 6 | S 12 | S 12 |
4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 8 | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | — | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | WNW 2 | — | — | NW 10 | NNW 4 |
77 | 389 | 1441 | 1569 | 2133 | — | 1034 | 1144 | 867 | 534 | 500 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | 181 | 8 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 439 | 222 | 604 | 328 | 115 | 22 | 222 | 115 | 16 | 204 | 14 | 0 | 195 | 20 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 14 |
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.










