
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 14 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Monday 21 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Monday 21 Sep, 1PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period, NW swell with 1,102 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 20 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.4m), 11s period with NW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 20) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.4m and 11s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 16s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 1.8m 13s and forecast to arrive on Monday (Sep 21) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be glassy at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 3.5m 9s period and expected on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Sun 20th Sep) | 4.5ft (1.4m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 1PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Mon 21st Sep) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Morning, folks. Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you—this stretch is a tale of two halves, and the first half is a bit of a write-off. We’ve got a solid window of nothing happening for the first week, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s got some proper shoulders on it.
Right now, through the 20th, it’s pretty flat. We’re talking ankle-snatchers at best, with swell heights stuck around 0.3ft for most of the daylight hours. The energy is weak too, with combined swell readings mostly in the single or low double digits (like 3 to 18). There’s a mix of cross and cross-off winds, and even when it’s glassy on the 14th morning, there’s just nothing to push you along. It’s a waiting game. The gap here is a solid week of nothing worth paddling out for.
Come the 21st, things wake up. Monday morning brings a proper pulse—6ft of NW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy jumps to 1433. It’s glassy, clean, and the kind of morning you’d be silly to miss. The direction is NW, which is what this place (Reef) wants. That’s your standout window, hands down. The afternoon bumps up to 7ft, but it swings a bit cross-on and starts getting too fat for the break—stick to the morning.
The 22nd is still decent—5ft on Tuesday morning with clean cross-off winds and energy at 599. It’s a bit smaller but still has push. After that, it fades again into the 23rd and 24th, with small stuff in the 1ft to 2ft range and weak energy. Just a lull, but nothing terrible.
Then, the 25th is the other real standout. Friday morning is another winner: 6ft NW swell, 14-second period, glassy as a lake, and the energy is pumping at 1321. That’s a big, clean swell—experienced surfers only, mind you. It’s a heavy day. The afternoon gets a bit onshore and messy, so again, mornings are your friend.
After that, it tapers. The 26th has 5ft and some glass early, but energy drops to 538 and it gets cross-onshore later. The 27th is questionable—marginal tide stuff and a 6ft cross-on mess. By the 28th and 29th, it’s big but blown out—fresh cross and cross-on winds with lumpy chop. Not worth the paddle.
Water temp this time of year is about average for the area, so nothing crazy there—it’s normal, wetsuit territory as usual.
So, bottom line: if you’ve got windows on the 21st and 25th mornings, those are your waves. The 21st is the cleanest, most forgiving of the two, but the 25th has size and power for those who can handle it. The first week? Grab a coffee, watch the cams, wait it out.
Stay salty.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Winds increasing (calm on Mon morning, strong winds from the N by Tue night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Sat morning, min 17°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Thu afternoon, light winds from the WNW by Sat morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 11 | NW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 5 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 13 | S 12 | SW 18 | S 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | NW 18 | NW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
242 | 169 | 40 | 22 | 51 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 245 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 304 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off |
High Tide | 5:26PM2.85m | 5:44AM2.73m | 6:02PM2.62m | 6:18AM2.55m | 6:39PM2.37m | 6:56AM2.36m | 7:22PM2.13m | 7:44AM2.16m | 8:22PM1.92m | 8:58AM2.00m | 10:00PM1.81m | 10:42AM1.99m | 11:40PM1.88m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 11:13AM0.19m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:48AM0.36m | 00:04AM0.50m | 12:25PM0.57m | 00:38AM0.73m | 1:07PM0.80m | 1:19AM0.95m | 2:02PM1.01m | 2:18AM1.13m | 3:32PM1.14m | 4:00AM1.22m | 5:23PM1.11m | ||||||||
7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | 7:22 | — | — | |
— | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:38 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 26 |
Feels °C | 25 | 24 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 11 | S 13 | S 13 | SW 13 | S 12 | NNW 10 | S 12 | SW 16 | NNW 9 | NW 14 | NNW 8 | NNW 14 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 |
242 | 169 | 102 | 63 | 33 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 1591 | 3 | 10 | 926 | 245 | 560 | 2378 | 1497 | 878 | 743 | 485 | 304 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 13 | — | — | — | SW 18 | S 16 | — | NNW 16 | SW 14 | NW 15 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | S 13 | NW 18 | NW 16 |
64 | 83 | 40 | 22 | 22 | 3 | — | — | — | 12 | 5 | — | 24 | 8 | 1663 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 251 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | S 11 | S 11 | WNW 12 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | — | SW 15 | S 11 | SW 14 | — | — | — | — | S 13 | S 12 |
17 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | — | 9 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NW 5 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | — | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
— | — | 10 | 6 | 51 | 620 | 1494 | 1528 | 2345 | — | 1247 | 1411 | — | 588 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 984 | 236 | 596 | 669 | 124 | 34 | 510 | 130 | 34 | 32 | 32 | 1 | 188 | 1 | 1 | 43 | 19 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Ericeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Reef 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 (Reef) 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 Reef 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.
Are you planning a holiday in Ericeira? If you are looking for accommodation near Reef, camping, hotels and holiday cottages in Ericeira, consider staying in Torres Vedras which is 19 km (12 miles) away. Other places in and around Ericeira where you can find information about places to rent, and car hire include Sintra which is 21 km (13 miles) away, Rio de Mouro, Cacem and Loures.










