Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 19 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Wednesday 26 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 5ft (1.6m), 9s period, NW swell with 359 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 1.6m 9s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Aug 26) at 10AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 2.1m 11s period and expected on Friday (Aug 21) at 10AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Wed 26th Aug) | 5ft (1.6m) 9s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let me break it down for you in feet and miles.
For the Reef, the first week and a half is a tough slog. Starting Wednesday the 19th of August, we’ve got a long stretch of small, weak, and messy surf. Swell heights barely reach 2 feet, with short periods leaving the water feeling flat. The wind is almost always cross or cross-onshore, so the surface is lumpy and choppy. Wave energy readings are weak — all under 100. The water temp is about 71°, normal for this time of year.
That flat spell runs for a solid week, with just about nothing worth paddling for. The first real blip comes on Wednesday the 26th, when a NW pulse lifts the swell to around 5 feet. But the period is short — 8 to 9 seconds — so the waves will be fat and messy, and the wind stays cross-onshore. Energy is moderate, hitting 364 and 311, but it’s still frustrating surf.
The one day that’s really worth talking about is Monday the 31st of August. Morning swell builds to 6 feet from the NW with a 10-second period, and wave energy climbs to 600 (moderate, but the best we’ve seen). By the afternoon, we’re looking at 7 feet of NW swell, period still 10 seconds, and energy jumping to 883 — that’s strong. The wind swings offshore from the W, and the conditions look favorable. But be warned: this is a reef break, and 7-foot waves are expert-only territory. The optimum swell direction is SW, and this is NW, so it might not connect perfectly, but if you’re experienced, that afternoon session is your best shot.
Sunday the 30th also has some size — about 5 feet — but the wind is cross-onshore, so it’s not as clean.
After that, the first few days of September see a drop back to 5–3 feet with cross winds and lumpy conditions.
So here’s the takeaway: one standout — Monday the 31st of August afternoon. If you’re a confident surfer, that’s the window. The rest of the 16 days is mostly a washout.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 18°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (calm on Wed night, fresh winds from the N by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Sat night. Warm (max 21°C on Sun morning, min 17°C on Sat night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | |||||||||||||||
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) | SW 14 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | W 6 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | W 8 | W 7 | WNW 5 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 27 | 50 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 25 | 21 | 48 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 50 | 41 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 14 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 8:08PM2.18m | 8:37AM2.15m | 9:12PM1.98m | 9:50AM2.03m | 10:42PM1.88m | 11:22AM2.03m | 00:11AM1.94m | 12:36PM2.16m | 1:11AM2.08m | 1:28PM2.34m | 1:54AM2.25m | 2:08PM2.54m | 2:30AM2.42m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 1:50PM0.80m | 2:12AM0.91m | 2:50PM1.00m | 3:15AM1.09m | 4:18PM1.11m | 4:48AM1.16m | 5:56PM1.07m | 6:14AM1.07m | 7:03PM0.92m | 7:12AM0.91m | 7:48PM0.74m | 7:53AM0.72m | 8:24PM0.55m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | |
— | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Temp °C | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 |
Feels °C | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 15 | NNW 12 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | W 6 | WSW 6 | WSW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 5 |
94 | 68 | 32 | 17 | 61 | 61 | 21 | 21 | 106 | 25 | 25 | 257 | 291 | 344 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 164 | 73 | 4 | 14 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 8 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 11 | NW 12 | WNW 9 | W 11 | W 10 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | W 8 | SW 13 | W 8 | SW 13 | SW 5 | W 8 | W 10 | N 6 |
12 | 27 | 50 | 62 | 30 | 36 | 25 | 2 | 48 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 50 | 41 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | NNW 12 | SW 13 | NNW 10 | SSW 15 | — | SSW 14 | — | — | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | — | SW 13 | — | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 12 | W 7 |
33 | 6 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 21 | — | 18 | — | — | 20 | 18 | 7 | — | 7 | — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | — | — | — | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | — | — | NW 6 | — |
— | — | — | — | 19 | 344 | 952 | 815 | 784 | 636 | 433 | — | — | — | 303 | 208 | 183 | — | — | 42 | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 203 | 0 | 32 | 221 | 265 | 236 | 599 | 224 | 140 | 224 | 106 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 484 | 487 | 35 | 14 | 416 | 418 |
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.











