Surf Forecasts:
Praia das Macas surf forecast from 31 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 9s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 1 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 10s period, NW swell with 710 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.8m), 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 1PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.8m and 9s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 5s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 3s is also forecast. 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 1.9m 10s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 3s period and expected on Saturday (Sep 05) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Sat 5th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.8m) 9s |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Tue 1st Sep) | 6ft (1.9m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Praia das Macas over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the table for the next stretch.
First off, honest truth – this is a tough run. The whole 16-day window is pretty much a write-off at Praia das Macas. The swell energy never really gets going, and the wind is almost always working against us. The highest energy we see is 454 on the 31st of August, and even that comes with a fresh cross-onshore breeze and lumpy conditions. It’s no good. You’ll see a lot of moderate and fresh breezes from the north, blowing straight on or cross-on, making a mess of what little swell there is.
Water temp is sitting around 68° which is about normal for the time of year – nothing unusual there.
The first few days of September are particularly grim. The wind is strong and the wave heights are small, with the swell period dropping as low as 7 seconds on the 3rd and 4th – that’s just weak, wind-driven chop. By the 5th, there’s a brief moment of clean conditions on Saturday morning with a NE cross-off breeze at 12 mph, but the swell is only 3 ft from the WNW with 9-second period, and the energy is low (116). It’s a tease more than anything.
From the 6th onward, it’s more of the same – mostly cross-onshore winds, lumpy and choppy, with swell heights barely hitting 5 ft and periods that hover around 7 to 11 seconds. The energy gets up to 462 on the 7th afternoon, but it’s still fresh cross-onshore and lumpy. Not worth paddling out.
The only glimmer comes at the very end – the morning of Sunday, 13th September. There’s a light 3 mph SW wind, cross-on, and the water is clean with small ripples. Swell is 3 ft from the west at 9 seconds, energy at 250. It’s still marginal, and the tide might be a factor, but it’s the closest to a surfable moment in the whole outlook. Even then, it’s a stretch.
For a break that’s consistent and exposed to the NW, this is a rough run. The wind is the main culprit – it’s nearly always onshore or cross-on, and there’s never a solid window of clean, rideable waves. If you’re a kite surfer, the setup might be more interesting on some of those stronger wind days, honestly.
Stick with it – forecasts can change, but right now, there’s nothing to get excited about.
Stay patient,
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 18°C on Mon afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Mon night, light winds from the N by Wed night). | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 33°C on Sat morning, min 20°C on Sun morning). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Sat afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 31 | Tuesday 1 | Wednesday 2 | Thursday 3 | Friday 4 | Saturday 5 | Sunday 6 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 11 | NW 11 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
348 | 710 | 481 | 475 | 449 | 243 | 183 | 107 | 128 | 82 | 64 | 58 | 43 | 81 | 101 | 108 | 103 | 170 | 182 | 220 | |
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 | cross | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-off | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 5:17PM2.89m | 5:38AM2.72m | 5:55PM2.75m | 6:17AM2.61m | 6:39PM2.56m | 7:04AM2.46m | 7:33PM2.34m | 8:06AM2.30m | 8:48PM2.14m | 9:30AM2.21m | 10:27PM2.08m | 11:05AM2.27m | 11:58PM2.19m | |||||||
Low Tide | 11:27PM0.17m | 11:40AM0.27m | 00:04AM0.31m | 12:22PM0.41m | 00:47AM0.49m | 1:14PM0.59m | 1:41AM0.70m | 2:23PM0.76m | 2:57AM0.88m | 4:00PM0.84m | 4:37AM0.91m | 5:40PM0.72m | ||||||||
— | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:07 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | 7:09 | — | — | |
8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | — | 8:07 | — | — | 8:06 | — | — | 8:04 | — | — | 8:02 | — | — | 8:00 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 31 | 26 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 11 | NW 11 |
348 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 55 | 31 | 26 | 128 | 48 | 64 | 58 | 43 | 81 | 101 | 108 | 103 | 170 | 182 | 220 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | S 10 | — | — | — | SSW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | NW 9 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 14 | NW 12 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 |
11 | 2 | — | — | — | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 118 | 64 | 44 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | SSW 14 | — | SSW 14 | NW 8 | N 5 | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | N 8 | S 12 | S 11 |
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 20 | — | 19 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | — | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | SSW 3 | SSW 3 | — | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 |
95 | 710 | 481 | 475 | 449 | 243 | 183 | 107 | — | 82 | 51 | 31 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 22 | 2 | 44 | 80 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 222 | 285 | 21 | 420 | 115 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 160 | 7 | 16 | 203 | 15 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Lisboa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | ||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | ||||||||||||||||||||
- Map Icons:
Break
Live Wave Height (m)
Live Wind Speed (km/h)
Surf Rating (10 Max)
Ocean Swells (m)
Wind Speed (km/h)
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.











