Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.98° N 9.42° W

Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 6 am 30 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Reef sea temperature is
20.0°C
0.4° 

Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Reef surf forecast from 30 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 5 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 11s period, NW swell with cross-offshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 4 Sep, 4PM (local time) - 4.5ft (1.3m), 12s period, NW swell with 479 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 5 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 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 Saturday (Sep 05) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 11s 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 1.3m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.0m 9s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 10AM.

Wave TypeTime (WEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 7AM (Sat 5th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Best Surf 7AM (Sat 5th Sep)4ft (1.2m) 11s
Most Powerful 4PM (Fri 4th Sep)4.5ft (1.3m) 12s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

Alright, Rusty here again, same deal, just switched to feet and Fahrenheit.

Let’s call this 16-day run what it is: a rough stretch at the Reef. Not much to get excited about. Cross-shore winds and onshore junk dominate. Huge gaps between any real surf. If you’re not a glutton for punishment, you’ll probably keep your board in the car.

We kick off August 30th with nothing but messy, wind-chop. The swell is tiny, the wind is 20–25 mph from the NNW hitting it sideways. That pattern holds through the first week. You’ll see a lot of moderate wave energy (crest factor in the 222 to 493 range), but with that 20–30 mph cross-breeze, the surface is just ugly.

Then on the morning of Friday, September 4th, finally a sliver of hope. Winds turn NNE at 15 mph, light offshore, the water goes clean. Swell runs about 2 ft from the NW with a long 13-second interval. That long period brings real shape and punch (combined energy of 205). This is the single best window of the whole forecast. If you have a flexible schedule, that morning is the one to chase. After that, it’s back to messy cross-shore junk for the rest of the day and all through the following week.

Water temp is 68°F, just about standard for this time of year—nothing unusual.

The second week gets even uglier. Extended dead periods. Winds howling at 35 mph by September 9th, lumping up tiny NW swell again. Rain showers roll in by September 13th with winds out of the WSW. The swell direction never matches up. Honestly, the only thing that might work is a kite, but for a proper surf session? Save your energy.

It’s a dry stretch. But this area turns around quick—forecasts change. Don’t give up just yet.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sun night). Mainly fresh winds.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Thu morning, min 19°C on Wed morning). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
30
Monday
31
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
1.3
NW
8
1.5
NW
9
1.1
NW
9
1.1
NW
9
1.3
NW
10
1.3
NW
10
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
14
1.4
NW
7
0.9
NW
8
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
14
0.4
NW
9
0.4
WNW
8
0.7
NW
13
1.3
NW
12
1.3
NW
11
1.1
NW
10
1.1
NW
10
0.6
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
219
383
203
208
348
341
23
22
21
199
101
22
20
20
28
176
479
389
260
217
77
Wind (km/h)
20
NNW
25
NNW
25
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
35
N
25
N
20
N
20
NNW
15
N
15
NNE
15
N
20
N
20
NNE
25
NNW
15
N
15
NW
20
WNW
25
NE
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-off
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
High Tide
4:50PM3.02m
5:10AM2.82m
5:24PM2.94m
5:46AM2.76m
6:02PM2.80m
6:25AM2.66m
6:46PM2.61m
7:12AM2.51m
7:40PM2.39m
8:13AM2.35m
8:55PM2.19m
9:37AM2.25m
10:33PM2.12m
Low Tide
10:37AM0.16m
11:01PM0.10m
11:11AM0.19m
11:35PM0.18m
11:48AM0.28m
00:12AM0.31m
12:31PM0.42m
00:55AM0.50m
1:22PM0.60m
1:49AM0.71m
2:31PM0.77m
3:05AM0.89m
4:07PM0.85m
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:03
7:05
7:05
7:05
7:07
7:07
7:09
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:12
8:09
8:08
8:07
8:06
8:04
8:01
 mm
Temp °C
21
21
18
20
20
18
20
20
18
21
20
20
28
25
21
24
24
21
25
25
25
Feels °C
20
19
15
16
16
14
16
16
14
21
19
19
25
23
19
22
22
21
23
24
24
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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