
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 25 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 29 Jul, 1PM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 9s period, NW swell with 110 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 2.0m 7s period and expected on Sunday (Jul 26) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (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, this is a tough one to call, but I’ll break it down for you. The whole 16-day stretch is looking pretty flat and messy for our break, Reef, which is a reef setup that needs a good SW swell to really work. The data shows we’re stuck with a NW to WNW wind and swell pattern, which is not what this spot wants. The good news is, the water temperature is sitting at 70°F and it’s a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least a paddle won’t be a shock to the system.
We kick off July 25th, Saturday, and the news isn’t good. There’s a NW swell of 6ft, but the period is a short 7 seconds, and we’ve got a cross-on NNW wind at 16 mph. The combined energy is moderate (306), but it’s all for nothing. The wave comment is ‘poor surf conditions’ and the score is a zero. This is a write-off. The wind stays fresh and cross-onshore through the weekend, and the swell just drops away. By Sunday morning, the 26th, we’re down to 1.0ft with a fresh cross breeze. It’s junk.
The first half of the following week (July 27th to 30th) is a total dead zone. Swell is tiny, 0.7ft to 1ft, with all the energy readings in the low double digits (10 to 59). The wind is a mess, mostly cross or cross-on. Even Monday morning, the 27th, has a clean cross-off breeze, but with only 1.0ft of swell, it’s not even worth a glance. The entire period from July 25th to August 8th is a brutal gap of no-go surf. We’re looking at a solid 15 days of nothing.
There is a little flicker of hope right at the end. On August 9th, Sunday, a bump of swell shows up. Sunday morning sees a WNW swell of 4ft with a period of 9 seconds, pushing the combined energy to 274 (moderate). The wind is a cross-on from the NNW at 16 mph, which is still rough, but it’s the biggest swell in the whole window. The afternoon gets even bigger, with a NW swell of 6ft and an 8-second period, kicking the energy to 449 (strong). But the wind is still a moderate cross-on from the NW at 16 mph. The wave comment is still ‘poor surf conditions’ and the score is zero. The swell is too big for the short period, and the wind is going to chop it all up. It’s a shame, because the height is there, but it’s not the right direction for this reef, and the wind is going to ruin it.
This is a tough stretch. The setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing if the wind holds. Honestly, if you’re desperate, the August 9th afternoon won’t be epic, but it’s the only pulse of energy in the whole 16 days. The best advice is to wait for the next forecast. It tends not to stay this poor for long.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Mon morning, min 18°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Sun afternoon, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 17°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 25 | Sunday 26 | Monday 27 | Tuesday 28 | Wednesday 29 | Thursday 30 | Friday 31 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 7 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
303 | 216 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 12 | 23 | 21 | 38 | 36 | 35 | 37 | 34 | 32 | 23 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | on | glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 12:58PM2.24m | 1:29AM2.15m | 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 | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:19PM0.86m | 7:30AM0.85m | 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 | ||||||||
6:31 | — | — | 6:31 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:33 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:35 | — | — | 6:37 | — | — | |
— | 8:55 | — | — | 8:54 | — | — | 8:53 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:52 | — | — | 8:51 | — | — | 8:50 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 18 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | SW 16 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 7 |
3 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 149 | 128 | 292 | 367 | 302 | 203 | 138 | 88 | 39 | 36 | 35 | 32 | 15 | 15 | 8 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | S 11 | S 15 | S 15 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | WNW 8 |
— | — | 2 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 81 | 101 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 21 | 38 | 26 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | N 13 | — | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | S 13 | W 12 | WNW 11 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | N 10 | N 10 | N 10 | N 9 | N 9 | N 8 | W 7 |
— | — | — | — | 3 | — | 15 | 15 | — | 3 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 8 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | NW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 |
303 | 216 | 268 | 414 | 319 | 227 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 21 | 17 | 24 | 37 | 34 | 32 | 23 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 245 | 381 | 236 | 124 | 430 | 43 | 1 | 199 | 1 | 34 | 220 | 35 | 14 | 223 | 35 | 35 | 469 | 35 | 137 | 413 | 131 |
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.










