Reef Surf Break

Lat Long: 38.98° N 9.42° W

Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 pm 26 Aug 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Reef sea temperature is
19.5°C
1.0° 

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


Reef surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 10s period, WNW swell with onshore winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, NW swell with 1,351 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.2m), 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 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.1m and 11s. The wind is predicted to be onshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 2.5m 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 2.1m 7s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 01) at 1PM.

Wave TypeTime (WEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Fri 28th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Best Surf 1AM (Fri 28th Aug)7ft (2.2m) 10s
Most Powerful 7PM (Fri 28th Aug)8ft (2.5m) 11s

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


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s not beat around the bush – the next couple of weeks are looking slim for this stretch of coast. There’s a long run of poor conditions, and I’m not going to lie to you. There’s one window that’s worth getting excited about, but you’ll need to time it right.

For the coming days, it’s a bust. Onshore and cross-onshore winds, lumpy, messy surf, and a lot of chop. It’s going to be frustrating if you’re keen for a wave. Through Thursday morning, the swell builds, but the wind is going to ruin it. A fresh breeze out of the west and poor surf conditions. Not worth the drive.

Now, here’s the one real standout. On Friday, August 28th, things briefly line up. The morning is your best bet. The swell is pushing 7ft from the WNW with an 11-second period. The wind is a light cross-onshore out of the NNW, so it’s not glassy, but it’s the cleanest it’s going to be. The combined energy is strong at 1054. The catch? This spot, Reef, is a heavy, exposed reef break, and at this size, it’s moving into expert-only territory. Anything over 8ft is a no-go for most, and while this is just under that, it’s still a solid, powerful swell. It’s going to be a big, serious wave. Also, this is a fairly consistent break, so it should have some rhythm, but crowds are likely. The water temp is 67°, which is a bit colder than average for this time of year, so you’ll want a good suit. The afternoon on Friday sees the wind pick up, turning more cross-shore, and it gets bumpy. So, the call is simple: Friday morning is your window. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only real surf on offer.

After that, it’s back to the grind. Saturday and Sunday are poor, with cross-shore winds and messy conditions. The swell drops, but the wind stays stubborn. The following week is a dead zone. From August 31st through September 10th, it’s mostly flat or tiny, with a northerly cross-shore wind blowing. There are a couple of light-wind mornings, but there’s just no swell. The energy is almost nothing, and it’s not worth getting wet. There’s a small pulse on the 5th and 6th, but the waves are weak and the conditions are marginal. Long story short: if you’re not out there Friday morning, you’re waiting a long time.

It’s one of those stretches where the ocean just doesn’t want to cooperate. If you’re desperate, the setup looks better for a kite than a surfboard. But for the rest of us, we wait.

Rusty.

Short Range Forecast

Moderate rain (total 19mm), heaviest on Wed morning. Warm (max 21°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the SW on Wed morning, light winds from the WNW by Fri morning).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun afternoon, min 17°C on Mon 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
Rating
(10 max)
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)
1.3
WSW
5
1.7
W
7
1.7
W
8
2
W
7
2.2
W
8
2.2
WNW
10
2.2
WNW
11
2.4
NW
11
2.3
NW
10
1.6
NW
9
1.4
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
1.1
NW
8
1.6
NW
11
1.4
NW
9
1.1
NW
9
1.3
NW
10
1.3
NW
9
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
15
0.2
SSW
14
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
86
248
341
418
588
844
1144
1316
988
427
256
155
145
561
350
199
293
281
23
22
21
Wind (km/h)
30
SW
25
W
25
SW
30
W
25
W
10
WNW
10
WNW
20
NNW
20
N
20
N
25
NNW
20
N
15
N
20
NNW
25
N
30
N
30
N
30
N
35
N
35
N
35
N
Wind State
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
8:57PM0.38m
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
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
rain showers
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
7:00
7:01
7:01
7:03
7:03
7:05
7:05
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:17
8:15
8:15
8:13
8:12
8:09
8:08
 mm
12
6
1
Temp °C
21
21
20
20
20
20
21
21
19
20
20
19
21
22
20
20
20
18
19
20
18
Feels °C
17
18
18
14
16
18
21
20
17
18
17
18
21
22
20
17
16
14
14
16
14
  • 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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