
Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 3 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 7 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 13s period, WNW swell with 755 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 4 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s period with WNW 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 Friday (Sep 04) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.7m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 6s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Praia das Macas in the next 16 days are 1.5m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 07) at 7AM. 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 14s period and expected on Thursday (Sep 03) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Fri 4th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Mon 7th Sep) | 5ft (1.5m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead for wave hunting. We’re looking at a long, bleak run of poor conditions with hardly anything worth paddling out for. The first real glimmer of hope doesn’t show up until the 14th of September, so there’s a hefty gap of over a week where the surf is just not on. Don’t get too down about it – the forecasts can always shift, but as it stands, you’re better off tuning the boards for a while.
Praia das Macas is the only spot in the mix. For beginners, it’s usually a decent option, consistent and exposed to swell, but the wind is the villain here. For the first week, it’s a constant battle with cross-shore and cross-onshore breezes, and the wave quality is just poor. We get a little bump of energy around the 5th and 6th (Saturday and Sunday) with a groundswell from the NW, periods hitting 12 to 15 seconds, and combined energy climbing to 533, but it’s all written off by messy winds. The swell gets up to 4ft, which should be fine for learners, but it’s not clean.
Things actually size up a bit from Monday the 7th, with swell over 5ft hitting nearly 7ft by Tuesday morning – that’s getting too big for the beginners. The energy is strong, over 750 in the combined reading, but the wind is just relentless, fresh to strong onshore, making everything lumpy and messy. That’s more of a wind-surf or kite-surf setup, not a paddle session.
We finally get a break in the weather on Monday the 14th of September. Early morning, the wind swings around from the ESE at 9 mph, blowing offshore, and it’s clean. The swell is small, just 2ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the energy is moderate (130). It’s surfable, but ordinary. The real standout? Tuesday the 15th morning. Light wind from the SSE, clean conditions, 2ft swell but with that same moderate energy. For a dawn session on the longboard, it’s the best you’ll see. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird going on there.
So, the pick of a very poor bunch: Tuesday morning, 15th September, at Praia das Macas. Tiny waves but glassy clean – a true dawn-patrol special. The long-range look at the 16th and 17th shows a bigger pulse of swell (6ft to 7ft) with some decent energy (over 900), but it’s all onshore again. That’s a "watch and wait" situation, definitely not a lock.
Stay patient, lads. It’ll come good eventually.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 34°C on Fri afternoon, min 20°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sat night, min 17°C on Mon night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Sat night, strong winds from the N by Tue afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | Monday 7 | Tuesday 8 | Wednesday 9 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 15 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
85 | 62 | 65 | 59 | 44 | 101 | 101 | 115 | 431 | 442 | 304 | 366 | 645 | 573 | 404 | 418 | 534 | 384 | 373 | 362 | 476 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on |
High Tide | 7:04AM2.46m | 7:33PM2.34m | 8:06AM2.30m | 8:48PM2.14m | 9:30AM2.21m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:14PM0.59m | 1:41AM0.70m | 2:23PM0.76m | 2:57AM0.88m | 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 | ||||||||
7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | |
— | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | — | 7:59 | — | — | 7:58 | — | — | 7:55 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 32 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 34 | 27 | 28 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 30 | 28 | 29 | 26 | 31 | 24 | 27 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | WNW 14 | WNW 12 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | W 7 | W 8 |
85 | 62 | 37 | 59 | 44 | 101 | 101 | 106 | 431 | 442 | 304 | 366 | 645 | 573 | 404 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | NNW 5 | WNW 10 | SW 13 | NNW 6 | NW 15 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 |
21 | 41 | 65 | 15 | 37 | 7 | 11 | 115 | 124 | 50 | 46 | 122 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | N 12 | NW 17 | SW 12 | N 8 | SW 12 | W 15 | WNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
20 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 6 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | 10 | 17 | — | 23 | 7 | 36 | 64 | 70 | 98 | 165 | 205 | 418 | 534 | 384 | 373 | 362 | 476 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 15 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 204 | 14 | 14 | 420 | 15 | 109 | 222 | 21 | 222 | 449 | 449 | 222 | 449 | 160 |
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.










