
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 6 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 12 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, W swell with 184 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 Wednesday (Aug 12) at 4PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.3m 8s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 06) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the card for this stretch of coast.
Straight up, I gotta be honest with you – the forecast for the next 16 days is a real struggle. We're looking at a long dry spell of poor surf conditions, with no real standout sessions to get excited about. The first record we've got is for Thursday the 6th of August, and from there right through to Friday the 21st of August, it's all pretty grim.
The whole outlook is dominated by weak, inconsistent swell. The combined wave energy is mostly in the double digits, like 79 (weak energy) on Thursday morning, and a few times it creeps into the low triple digits, like 123 (moderate energy) on Monday the 10th afternoon, but it's never enough to make a proper wave. The swell heights are tiny, mostly between 1 ft and 3 ft, with a couple of days hitting 4 ft to 5 ft, but even then the period is short, around 6 to 8 seconds, so it's all windswell and no power. On the plus side, the water's sitting at 68°F, which is about average for the time of year, so the temp is fine, but the waves just aren't there.
The only break we've got any data on is Reef, a solid reef break that's exposed to SW swell. It's a fairly consistent spot, but it's rated for advanced surfers only. The wind is pretty much always cross-shore or cross-onshore, coming from the NNW or N, with speeds of 12 to 25 mph. That's a major issue – it's creating a lumpy cross-chop or messy conditions, so even if there was a little bump, it'd be a battle. The best swell direction here is from the SW, and we're not getting any of that. It's all W, WNW, NW, or NNW, which is a total mismatch.
The whole 16-day window is a washout. From Thursday the 6th through to Friday the 21st of August, there's not a single day where the surf is decent. The forecast says "poor surf conditions" on every single record. There's no standout, no hidden gem, no window of opportunity. The closest thing to a pulse is around the 12th to 14th of August, where the swell bumps up to 3 ft to 5 ft, but the period is short and the wind is cross or cross-on, so it's still rubbish. The 18th of August sees a tiny 0.3 ft swell with a long period of 14 to 16 seconds from the SW, which is the right direction, but it's just too small to do anything.
Honestly, if you're looking for a paddle, put the board away for a couple of weeks. The setup here is more interesting for kite surfing with that strong cross-shore wind, but for surfers, it's a waiting game. Forecasts can change, and this area knows how to turn on, but for now, we're in a flat spell. Rusty out.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat afternoon, min 19°C on Thu night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday 6 | Friday 7 | Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | |||||||||||||||
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) | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | W 8 | W 7 | W 7 | NW 10 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
70 | 49 | 56 | 43 | 42 | 40 | 26 | 32 | 35 | 34 | 49 | 56 | 54 | 82 | 93 | 53 | 56 | 102 | 108 | 184 | 169 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 9:08PM2.30m | 9:51AM2.28m | 10:33PM2.23m | 11:16AM2.33m | 00:00AM2.29m | 12:33PM2.50m | 1:13AM2.45m | 1:37PM2.74m | 2:11AM2.63m | 2:30PM2.98m | 3:01AM2.79m | 3:17PM3.16m | 3:45AM2.89m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 2:47PM0.76m | 3:24AM0.77m | 4:09PM0.82m | 4:48AM0.82m | 5:40PM0.74m | 6:12AM0.73m | 6:58PM0.54m | 7:19AM0.55m | 7:59PM0.31m | 8:14AM0.36m | 8:50PM0.09m | 9:01AM0.19m | 9:36PM-0.05m | ||||||||
6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | |
— | 8:44 | — | — | 8:43 | — | — | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 10 | W 10 | NNW 8 | W 9 | W 9 | W 9 | N 8 | N 8 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | NNW 10 | NW 8 | W 6 | W 6 | NW 9 | NW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | W 10 | W 9 |
70 | 49 | 72 | 43 | 42 | 40 | 46 | 31 | 35 | 34 | 34 | 61 | 54 | 21 | 12 | 20 | 35 | 102 | 108 | 184 | 169 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | W 10 | S 13 | S 12 | S 12 | WNW 9 | W 8 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NW 10 | W 12 | W 7 | WNW 11 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 11 | N 10 |
3 | 3 | 46 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 26 | 32 | 14 | 47 | 49 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 19 | 18 | 41 | 32 | 90 | 50 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | — | SW 13 | — | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 11 | N 7 | S 11 | S 11 | S 12 | NW 14 | NNW 13 | NNW 12 | WNW 12 | NNW 8 | NNW 11 | — | — |
6 | — | 7 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 29 | 27 | 12 | 41 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 5 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | — | NW 2 | NNW 7 | — | NNW 3 | WNW 7 | NNW 4 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 4 | NNW 4 |
164 | 180 | 56 | 189 | 189 | 120 | — | 1 | 16 | — | 4 | 56 | 8 | 82 | 93 | 53 | 56 | 41 | 26 | 11 | 13 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 548 | 265 | 140 | 984 | 35 | 35 | 486 | 35 | 35 | 749 | 32 | 32 | 549 | 32 | 124 | 430 | 32 | 32 | 553 | 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.











