
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 13 Aug, 4PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 10s period, WNW swell with 237 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 1.1m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Aug 13) 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 3.0m 9s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's shaping up for us.
Well, I gotta be straight with you – this forecast period is a real bummer. We're looking at a long stretch of mostly nothing worth getting excited about. The Reef is the only spot on the radar, but it's a tough one to call right now.
The water's sitting at about 71°F, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but that's about the only thing that's notable.
For the first week, from Tuesday the 11th right through to Saturday the 15th, it's a write-off. The wind is howling from the north and north-northwest, whipping up a cross-shore chop that's just ruining any chance of a clean wave. The swell is tiny and weak, with combined energy barely hitting three digits (71-320), and the period is way too short to do anything with. It's just messy out there.
We hit a bit of a lull from Sunday the 16th to Wednesday the 19th. The swell drops right off – we're talking 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft at best. The wave energy is pathetic (9-25), and even though we get a few glassy or clean moments, there's just no swell to push them. You'd be floating around waiting for a ripple.
Then, Thursday the 20th morning shows a tiny flicker of hope. Swell bumps up to 3 ft from the northwest with a 13-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 312. But the wind is cross-onshore from the southwest, and it's still described as "poor surf conditions." It's a tease.
After that, it's back to the doldrums. Friday the 21st through to Wednesday the 26th is all small, weak, and wind-affected. The wind stays strong and cross-shore, the swell is almost non-existent, and the energy figures are in the single digits (3-62). Honestly, it's more of a kitesurfing setup than a paddling one for this stretch.
Look, the Reef is a fairly consistent spot, but this is a blank run. Forecasts can change, but right now, there's nothing to recommend. The best I can say is, keep an eye on Thursday the 20th morning – if the wind drops, that little 3 ft NW swell might be something.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Tue night). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the N on Fri night, calm by Sun morning). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | |||||||||||||||
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 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | S 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SSW 16 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
52 | 40 | 77 | 120 | 154 | 154 | 154 | 237 | 175 | 130 | 124 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 26 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 5:45AM2.80m | 6:01PM2.95m | 6:23AM2.67m | 6:40PM2.71m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 11:44AM0.20m | 00:12AM0.24m | 12:23PM0.38m | 00:49AM0.46m | ||||||||
6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | |
— | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Feels °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 25 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 12 | NNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | S 18 | SW 18 | SW 17 | NNW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | SSW 16 |
38 | 53 | 77 | 120 | 154 | 154 | 154 | 237 | 175 | 130 | 124 | — | 6 | 12 | 11 | 1050 | 11 | 9 | 793 | 524 | 26 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | WNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 16 | — | — | SW 15 | SW 15 | S 13 |
21 | 23 | 58 | 51 | 47 | 33 | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | — | — | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | NNW 8 | — | — | — | — | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | — |
19 | 14 | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | — | NNW 8 |
52 | 40 | 41 | 34 | 31 | 44 | 48 | 83 | 102 | 181 | 220 | 495 | 973 | 1093 | 1266 | — | 878 | 785 | — | — | 434 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 35 | 400 | 32 | 32 | 221 | 32 | 32 | 407 | 35 | 124 | 471 | 227 | 236 | 585 | 140 | 1 | 143 | 34 | 1 | 547 | 34 |
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.











