
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 9 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 7PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 210 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 1.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 16) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 7PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got for this stretch of coast.
Honestly, looking at the whole 16-day window for Reef, it’s a tough one. There’s a big dry spell right from the start. The first week is dominated by weak, short-period swell (mostly around 2ft to 3ft) with periods between 5 and 10 seconds, so you’re looking at gutless, unorganised lines. On top of that, the wind is a persistent cross or cross-onshore breeze, mostly from the NNW or N, blowing between 9 and 19 mph, which keeps the surface choppy and lumpy. The combined swell energy stays well under 200 for most of the first week, often below 100, so it’s weak (86 to 241). The boys at the desk are giving it a big fat zero for quality every session.
The first real hint of a change comes on Sunday, August 18th. The morning shows a tiny 0.3ft swell from the SW with a 16-second period, but the wind finally swings offshore from the SSE, a light 9 mph. The comment is "clean," which is the first positive sign we’ve seen. The combined energy is still pitifully low at 17, but that offshore wind will groom what little there is into a glassy surface. It wouldn’t be a proper session, more of a paddle and a hope.
For the rest of the second week, we’re stuck in the same rut. The swell remains tiny, under 1ft, with periods mostly from the SSW or SW. The wind stays messy, often from the SW or N, with speeds cranking up to 28 mph by the last few days. The combined swell energy dribbles along in the teens and twenties, occasionally touching the 50s, which is just not enough to push a decent wave. Even the longer-period groundswells (14 to 18 seconds) are too small to be useful on this exposed reef, especially with the chop.
There isn’t a single standout session in the entire 16-day forecast. If you’re desperate, the cleanest water will be the morning of Sunday, August 18th, but it’s an anomaly. Everything else is a write-off. The water temp is around 68°, which is about normal for the time of year.
It’s a blank run for this area. I’d suggest keeping the board in the car and the wax in the wrapper for a while. Forecasts can change, but as it stands, there’s nothing to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | S 18 | SW 18 | S 18 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
86 | 91 | 94 | 60 | 82 | 23 | 28 | 36 | 77 | 118 | 154 | 144 | 147 | 106 | 183 | 133 | 141 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 6 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:33PM2.50m | 1:13AM2.45m | 1:37PM2.74m | 2:11AM2.63m | 2:30PM2.98m | 3:01AM2.79m | 3:17PM3.16m | 3:45AM2.89m | 4:01PM3.26m | 4:27AM2.93m | 4:42PM3.25m | 5:07AM2.90m | 5:22PM3.14m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 6:58PM0.54m | 7:19AM0.55m | 7:59PM0.31m | 8:14AM0.36m | 8:50PM0.09m | 9:01AM0.19m | 9:36PM-0.05m | 9:45AM0.08m | 10:18PM-0.10m | 10:26AM0.04m | 10:58PM-0.07m | 11:05AM0.09m | 11:36PM0.05m | ||||||||
6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | |
— | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 22 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | S 18 | SW 18 | S 18 |
86 | 91 | 94 | 60 | 82 | 23 | 38 | 53 | 77 | 118 | 154 | 144 | 147 | 106 | 183 | 133 | 141 | — | 6 | 12 | 6 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | WNW 7 | NW 11 | W 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
47 | 39 | 63 | 35 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 23 | 58 | 51 | 32 | 33 | 18 | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 7 | N 6 | W 12 | S 12 | S 12 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 17 | 18 | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
— | — | — | — | 6 | 16 | 28 | 36 | 39 | 37 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 56 | 87 | 160 | 188 | 419 | 836 | 696 | 1008 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 35 | 124 | 124 | 549 | 32 | 32 | 220 | 32 | 32 | 431 | 35 | 220 | 471 | 236 | 246 | 985 | 265 |
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.











