Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 23 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period, W swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,232 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 23 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 11s period with W 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 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m 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 2.3m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.9m 10s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Sun 23rd Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's heading our way.
Looking at the charts, it's a pretty grim start for the next week and a half. We've got a run of poor surf conditions that stretches from now all the way through to the morning of the 27th of August. That's about four and a half days of nothing worth getting wet for. The swell that does show up is messy and wind-washed, and it's just not going to be a good time.
The only real glimmer of light in this whole outlook is Friday the 28th of August. The morning session at Reef looks like it could be an absolute standout, but only for the pros. We're looking at a solid 6 to 7ft swell pushing in from the NW with a period of 10 seconds. The combined wave energy is going to be cranking, reading a strong 1068, which is a lot of power. The wind is set to be a clean, gentle cross-shore from the north, which will keep things tidy. However, the data flags that this swell is predicted to be too big for this break, so you'll need to be an expert paddler with serious knowledge of the place. Expect crowds to be likely at a spot like this when it's on.
After that, the surf drops right off again. From the 29th of August through to the end of the window, we're looking at tiny, weak waves and onshore wind. It's mostly a write-off with a few small, confused pulses that won't offer anything of quality.
So to sum it up: there's one shot and one shot only. If you're an expert and you know the reef, be on it first light Friday the 28th. For everyone else, sit this one out, or if the wind is howling, the setup here might be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastModerate rain (total 18mm), heaviest on Sun morning. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Mon morning, light winds from the WSW by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Tue night, min 18°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | |||||||||||||||
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 11 | W 10 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WSW 5 | WNW 6 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
718 | 563 | 826 | 723 | 614 | 311 | 189 | 138 | 77 | 55 | 123 | 277 | 291 | 382 | 551 | 1066 | 1149 | 1006 | 0 | 0 | 24 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 3:46PM2.98m | 4:05AM2.78m | 4:17PM3.03m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:32AM0.26m | 9:59PM0.14m | 10:04AM0.19m | 10:29PM0.09m | |||||||
6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | |
— | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | |
mm | 6 | 1 | 8 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 |
Feels °C | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 11 | W 10 | N 8 | N 8 | NNW 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 6 | SSW 5 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | SW 11 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | — | NNW 9 |
718 | 563 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 311 | 189 | 138 | 77 | 24 | 8 | 277 | 291 | 5 | 551 | 1066 | 1149 | 1006 | 670 | — | 216 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | N 8 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | N 8 | N 7 | N 6 | NW 11 | NW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | SW 11 | S 11 | — | — | — | — | S 12 |
49 | 33 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 10 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
18 | 17 | — | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SSW 6 | SSW 6 | WSW 9 | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | WSW 5 | WNW 6 | — | — | WNW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | NNW 5 |
93 | 154 | 826 | 723 | 614 | — | — | — | — | 55 | 123 | — | — | 382 | — | — | — | — | — | 470 | 24 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 143 | 158 | 143 | 407 | 271 | 35 | 0 | 43 | 43 | 143 | 484 | 152 | 143 | 221 | 32 | 32 | 236 | 32 | 32 | 405 | 38 |
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.











