Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 23 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 12s period, WNW swell with 1,268 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 13s period with WNW 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 (Aug 23) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 13s period. 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 2.1m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Aug 23) at 4AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 10s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 13s |
| Best Surf | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what the next couple of weeks have in store for us at this exposed reef setup.
Overall, the pattern is grim. We're looking at a long, frustrating stretch of poor conditions, with only a couple of fleeting windows that are more frustrating than fun. The main issue is the wind; it's just never our friend. We get a little bit of swell here and there, but the wind is always on it or cross to it, chopping it up and making a mess of things.
Right now, and for the next week, there's nothing. The waves are tiny, the wind is rubbish, and you're better off doing something else. There's a clean-looking window on Sunday morning the 23rd of August, but the swell is showing 7ft from the West (moderate energy of 942). That's a bit of size, and with the wind coming from the SSE (cross-offshore), it should be clean. But the guidance suggests it's only for advanced surfers at this level, and that's the only halfway decent time in a sea of red.
After that, it's more of the same rot. The start of the following week gets messy again with strong cross-onshore winds and rain. There's one morning, Monday the 31st of August, where we see a 6ft swell from the NW with a light cross-onshore breeze, giving it a slight chance. But the energy (502) is just about moderate, and the wind is still not right.
The only other thing that catches my eye is way off in the distance, on Thursday afternoon the 3rd of September. There's a pulse of long-period groundswell from the NW, hitting 6ft with a very long 12-second period and strong energy (1021). That’s a proper deep-water swell. The problem is the wind at that time is cross-onshore from the NW, which will ruin it. It's a classic case of a great swell showing up with the wrong wind. For a reef break, that long period would usually mean powerful, well-shaped waves, but it's just going to be a choppy mess unless that wind forecast changes significantly a long way out.
Honestly, there is no standout. The only day to even consider a paddle is Sunday morning the 23rd of August, if you're an expert surfer willing to gamble on a clean 7ft wave, but it's not exactly "the best on offer" – it's the only option on offer.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 29mm), heaviest during Sun afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (light winds from the W on Sat morning, strong winds from the S by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SSW on Mon morning, calm by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | WSW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | NW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 22 | 21 | 42 | 38 | 39 | 1127 | 924 | 450 | 306 | 613 | 672 | 233 | 94 | 76 | 31 | 117 | 142 | 212 | 513 | 628 | 550 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 10:42PM1.88m | 11:22AM2.03m | 00:11AM1.94m | 12:36PM2.16m | 1:11AM2.08m | 1:28PM2.34m | 1:54AM2.25m | 2:08PM2.54m | 2:30AM2.42m | 2:43PM2.72m | 3:03AM2.57m | 3:15PM2.87m | 3:34AM2.69m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 4:18PM1.11m | 4:48AM1.16m | 5:56PM1.07m | 6:14AM1.07m | 7:03PM0.92m | 7:12AM0.91m | 7:48PM0.74m | 7:53AM0.72m | 8:24PM0.55m | 8:28AM0.54m | 8:57PM0.38m | 9:01AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.24m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  |  |  |  | |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |
 | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — |
 | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 11 | SSW 15 | WNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | WNW 13 | W 11 | W 10 | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WSW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | NW 6 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | NW 9 |
| kJ | 286 | 21 | 42 | 446 | 287 | 1127 | 924 | 450 | 306 | 11 | 12 | 233 | 94 | 76 | 31 | 117 | 142 | 212 | 513 | 628 | 550 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | W 11 | NNW 12 | W 9 | W 9 | NNW 9 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | SW 13 | — | NNW 7 | SSW 6 | W 10 | W 6 | NW 6 | NW 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 |
| kJ | 22 | 2 | 29 | 38 | 39 | 140 | 66 | 46 | 20 | 7 | — | 18 | 10 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 15 | — | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 12 | N 7 | SW 12 | W 10 | SW 12 | NW 14 | SW 11 | — | — | — |
| kJ | 21 | — | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 7 | — | — | 6 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 5 | — | — | — |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | SW 8 | SW 8 | — | — | — | SSW 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | 229 | 794 | 537 | — | — | — | — | 132 | 127 | 613 | 672 | — | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 669 | 32 | 32 | 43 | 0 | 143 | 42 | 42 | 407 | 416 | 34 | 1 | 143 | 143 | 32 | 405 | 220 | 35 | 223 | 32 |
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.
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