Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.98° N 9.42° W

Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 26 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Reef sea temperature is
21.2° C
1.2° 

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


Reef surf forecast from 26 Jul 2026:

  • Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 112 kJ wave energy.

Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:

The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 0.9m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Jul 29) 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 1.8m 8s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 01) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (WEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)--
Best Surf--
Most Powerful 1PM (Wed 29th Jul)3ft (0.9m) 9s

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


The Lowdown

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the coming weeks.

Honestly, this stretch is a tough one. We're looking at a long, frustrating run of tiny surf with poor conditions. The energy is just not there, and the wind is a persistent problem. The period kicks off on Sunday the 26th of July and it's a flat, messy affair right from the get-go. There isn't a single decent wave to hunt until at least the end of the first week.

From Sunday the 26th right through to Saturday the 8th of August, it's a real grind. The swell is barely a ripple, hovering around 1.0ft to 2ft, and it's coming from the WNW. The problem is the wind. It's a constant cross-shore breeze, mostly from the north to NNW, blowing at 12 to 18 mph. This is keeping the surface lumpy and choppy, making even the small waves a total write-off. The water is warm, sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but you won't be feeling it with a face full of cross-chop.

There is a faint glimmer of hope for the morning of Monday the 27th of July. For a brief moment, the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the north, but the swell is still a pathetic 1.0ft. It's a tease, a perfect surface with nothing to ride. The combined energy of the swells is a weak 15. Not enough to do anything with.

The only real change comes on Wednesday the 5th of August. The swell finally bumps up a little, hitting 2ft from the WNW. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range, hitting 117 on Wednesday morning and 125 in the afternoon. But the wind is still hammering from the NNW at 15 mph, making it a lumpy, cross-shore mess. You'd be fighting the chop more than the wave.

The biggest swell of the entire period shows up on Sunday the 9th of August. We're looking at a 3ft swell from the WNW with a combined energy of 241 – that's a real spike. But the wind is a stiff 21 mph from the N to NNW. This is a classic case of a big, raw, wind-affected swell. For a reef break like *Reef*, which is exposed to the SW, this WNW swell is a bit off-angle, and with those strong cross-shore winds, it's going to be a wind-blown, bumpy wall. The water is warm, but for this size, it's really only for the advanced crew.

The best bet? I hate to say it, but there isn't one. The only window that's even worth a mention is the morning of Tuesday the 4th of August. The wind is a messy cross-shore from the north at 15 mph, but the swell is 2ft from the west, which is a better direction for the reef. The energy is a weak 63. It's not great, but it's the least bad option in a grim forecast.

To be honest, with the consistent cross-shore wind and the small, weak swell, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. For us, it's a waiting game. The second week has a bit more size, but the wind is relentless. Keep your board in the car just in case, but don't get your hopes up.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.

Sunday
26
Monday
27
Tuesday
28
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
Friday
31
Saturday
1
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
0
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)
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
8
0.2
WNW
8
0.2
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
11
0.3
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
1.1
NNW
6
0.3
WNW
9
0.3
WNW
9
0.4
W
10
0.5
W
9
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
9
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
17
16
16
15
15
15
13
7
12
22
21
38
37
36
69
15
15
35
39
31
28
Wind (km/h)
30
N
30
NNW
25
N
5
N
15
W
10
NNW
10
NNW
15
NW
15
NNW
10
NNW
20
NNW
20
N
20
N
25
NNW
20
N
20
N
20
NNW
20
N
25
NNW
25
NNW
20
N
Wind State
cross
cross
cross
glassy
on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross
High Tide
1:48PM2.38m
2:14AM2.28m
2:30PM2.52m
2:53AM2.39m
3:07PM2.67m
3:28AM2.50m
3:42PM2.79m
4:01AM2.57m
4:15PM2.87m
4:34AM2.62m
4:47PM2.90m
5:06AM2.63m
5:19PM2.89m
Low Tide
8:06PM0.72m
8:14AM0.72m
8:46PM0.58m
8:51AM0.58m
9:22PM0.46m
9:26AM0.46m
9:56PM0.36m
9:59AM0.38m
10:28PM0.29m
10:31AM0.33m
11:00PM0.26m
11:03AM0.32m
11:32PM0.26m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:31
6:33
6:33
6:35
6:35
6:37
6:37
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:54
8:53
8:52
8:52
8:51
8:50
8:49
 mm
Temp °C
21
20
18
25
22
20
23
22
19
21
21
18
21
21
18
21
22
19
21
21
18
Feels °C
17
16
15
25
22
21
23
22
19
20
20
16
19
19
15
20
21
18
20
19
16
  • 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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