
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 28 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Tuesday 4 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 8s period, WNW swell with 118 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 8s and forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 04) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Jul 31) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Tue 4th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the surf ahead.
Honestly, I gotta be straight with you – the outlook for the next 16 days is a tough one. We’re looking at a long stretch of real small, weak, and messy conditions. The first recommendation here doesn’t come until Tuesday afternoon, July 28th, and even then, it’s less about surfing and more about staring at the ocean. The whole first week and a half is a grind.
It all kicks off on Tuesday, July 28th, at the Reef. The swell is a feeble 0.7ft from the WNW, with a short period of 8 seconds. The energy is flat (10), and the wind is a cross-on from the NNW at 12 mph. The water temp is 69°, which is pretty normal for the time of year. It’s a write-off. Wednesday the 29th and Thursday the 30th are more of the same – tiny, weak, and choppy. The wind stays cross-shore or cross-on, and the swell barely nudges up to 1ft.
Friday the 31st through the weekend is a bit of a tease. You get a spike in the swell on Friday morning to 3ft from the NNW, but the period is a shocking 5 seconds – that’s windswell junk. The wind is still a moderate cross-shore, keeping it lumpy. The combined energy reads 57, which is still weak. Saturday and Sunday are similar, with the swell staying under 3ft and the energy in the 70-100 range, but the wind just won’t let up.
The best chance for a surfable wave in this entire stretch appears around Tuesday, August 4th, and Wednesday, August 5th. On Tuesday morning, we get 3ft from the WNW with a 9-second period, and the energy climbs to 111 (moderate). The wind is a gentle cross-shore from the NNW at 9 mph, which is the cleanest we’ve seen. It’s still not pumping, but it’s the closest thing to a window we’ll get. Wednesday afternoon sees the swell hit 3ft from the NW, period at 8 seconds, and energy at 170 – that’s moderate wave energy. The problem is the wind turns cross-on, making it choppy again.
After that, it drops back into the doldrums. The 7th and 8th of August are small and weak, and the 9th is a total write-off with a fresh cross-shore breeze at 19 mph. There’s a glimmer of hope on Monday, August 10th, and Tuesday, August 11th, with light offshore or cross-off winds creating some clean conditions, but the swell is only 1.0ft to 2ft, so it’s barely a ripple.
The very end of the outlook, on Wednesday, August 12th, sees a bump to 3ft from the WNW with a 9-second period and energy reading 137. The wind is light cross-shore in the morning, so it’s clean, but it’s still a pretty small day for a break that needs a bit more push.
Overall, there’s no standout session here. The only real “best on offer” is the morning of August 4th, where you get a bit of size and the cleanest wind all period. Tuesday, August 11th, also has a decent window with glassy conditions. But for a spot that’s exposed to the SW, the swell direction is never quite aligned properly. It’s a frustrating forecast, but that’s the game sometimes.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Tue afternoon, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 18°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light. | |||||||||||||||||||
Tue 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | Saturday 1 | Sunday 2 | Monday 3 | ||||||||||||||
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 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 5 | WNW 11 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 12 | 23 | 21 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 29 | 38 | 24 | 65 | 79 | 79 | 57 | 55 | 68 | 67 | 40 | 96 | 110 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 3:28AM2.50m | 3:42PM2.79m | 4:01AM2.57m | 4:15PM2.87m | 4:34AM2.62m | 4:47PM2.90m | 5:06AM2.63m | 5:19PM2.89m | 5:39AM2.62m | 5:53PM2.84m | 6:15AM2.58m | 6:29PM2.74m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:37AM0.35m | 00:06AM0.30m | 12:13PM0.42m | 00:43AM0.38m | |||||||
— | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | |
8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | — | 8:49 | — | — | 8:47 | — | — | 8:46 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 20 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 |
308 | 203 | 138 | 90 | 45 | 36 | 36 | 29 | 16 | 16 | 65 | 79 | 79 | 57 | 55 | 68 | 67 | 40 | 96 | 110 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 8 | N 10 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | N 8 | NNW 8 | — | NNW 7 | WNW 11 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
7 | 6 | 23 | 21 | 37 | 26 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 24 | 12 | 19 | 30 | 33 | 19 | — | 10 | 23 | 13 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 10 | N 10 | — | N 9 | W 12 | N 12 | N 9 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | W 12 | NNW 7 | S 14 | SW 13 |
3 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 8 | — | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 10 | 4 | 7 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 8 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | N 6 | NNW 4 | NW 3 | NW 3 |
— | — | — | — | 8 | 5 | 59 | 25 | 38 | 110 | 127 | 87 | 96 | 96 | 48 | 64 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 222 | 35 | 35 | 443 | 32 | 32 | 583 | 249 | 137 | 430 | 32 | 32 | 405 | 32 | 32 | 400 | 32 | 32 | 35 | 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.










