Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,082 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 2.2m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7ft (2.2m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, it’s Rusty.
Let’s cut to the chase – the surf outlook for Reef over the next couple of weeks is pretty grim, with one clear morning that stands out above the rest.
The first few days are a mess. Wednesday and Thursday are blown out, with onshore winds and weak, short-period swell producing choppy conditions. We’re looking at waves around 4 to 7 ft, but the wind and lack of period make it a write-off.
Now, for the one that matters: Friday, August 28th. The morning is looking like the pick of the entire forecast. We’ve got clear skies, a light wind at 6 mph, and a solid 7 ft of WNW groundswell with an 11-second period. The energy is strong, and this is a proper long-period swell with real grunt. For an exposed reef like this, the direction is spot on. That said, 7 ft is well past beginner territory – this is one for the experienced crew only. The wind and tide are forecast to be favorable, so get out there early if you can. This is the day.
The afternoon deteriorates as the wind swings cross-on and the surface gets chopped up. Saturday and Sunday stay messy – clean skies, but cross-shore winds up to 16 mph keep things lumpy and average.
From September 1st onward, the energy completely dies. The readings drop right off, and we’re left with long-period swells that have no real height, just 0.7 ft or less. The winds are fresh and onshore, making it even less inviting.
There’s a tiny, clean window on Tuesday, September 8th – the morning has a light offshore breeze with a 3 ft WNW swell. It’s small, but it’s the most user-friendly option of the week. Same story again on Thursday, September 10th – glassy morning, tiny 2 ft W swell with a long period. Just not much power.
So, bottom line: Friday the 28th is the standout, but it’s a big-wave session for experts. After that, it’s slim pickings. Don’t get too down, though – this kind of flat spell doesn’t usually last forever. I’ll keep an eye on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Wed night, light winds from the WSW by Thu night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 5 | W 6 | W 8 | W 7 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
69 | 175 | 266 | 407 | 458 | 560 | 1054 | 903 | 546 | 370 | 262 | 0 | 149 | 527 | 441 | 357 | 502 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 21 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:43PM2.72m | 3:03AM2.57m | 3:15PM2.87m | 3:34AM2.69m | 3:46PM2.98m | 4:05AM2.78m | 4:17PM3.03m | 4:37AM2.82m | 4:50PM3.02m | 5:10AM2.82m | 5:24PM2.94m | 5:46AM2.76m | 6:02PM2.80m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:28AM0.54m | 8:57PM0.38m | 9:01AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.24m | 9:32AM0.26m | 9:59PM0.14m | 10:04AM0.19m | 10:29PM0.09m | 10:37AM0.16m | 11:01PM0.10m | 11:11AM0.19m | 11:35PM0.18m | 11:48AM0.28m | 00:12AM0.31m | |||||||
7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | |
— | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:09 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | 10 | — | 6 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 6 | W 6 | W 8 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | WNW 11 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 |
15 | 175 | 266 | 5 | 5 | 560 | 1054 | 903 | 546 | 370 | 22 | 158 | 149 | 527 | 441 | 23 | 11 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 21 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | NW 12 | NNW 9 | S 10 | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | — | NW 11 | — | WNW 12 | SW 12 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 10 | SW 10 |
4 | 5 | 5 | — | 6 | 50 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | 63 | — | 14 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 9 | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 13 | — | SW 12 | SW 18 | — | — | — | — | — |
2 | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | 6 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 5 | — | — | W 7 | W 8 | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | NW 8 | — | — | NW 3 | — | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
69 | — | — | 407 | 458 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 262 | — | — | 5 | — | 357 | 502 | 626 | 637 | 559 | 471 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 418 | 416 | 43 | 405 | 221 | 32 | 35 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 405 | 32 | 32 | 400 | 32 | 35 | 400 | 236 | 236 | 236 | 124 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Ericeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











