Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 12 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 3.5m 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 | 4PM (Thu 13th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.1m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, this is Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the next couple of weeks.
Honestly, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’re looking at a solid block of time where the surf just doesn't want to cooperate. The first couple of weeks are pretty much a write-off, with a real long gap of flat, choppy, and messy conditions. The water temperature is sitting at about 71°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing your butt off while you're waiting for something to happen.
We start off on Wednesday the 12th with a small, weak swell around 3 ft from the WNW, but the wind is a cross-shore mess, and the energy is only moderate at 138. It's a total write-off, and it stays that way for days. The wind is either cross or cross-onshore, sometimes howling at 25 mph, mixing up a tiny, weak swell. The combined energy does climb to 292 on the 13th, but with those winds, the surf quality is just poor.
The whole period from the 12th right through to the 26th of August is a giant gap of nothing. There are a few small pulses of 0.3 ft to 0.7 ft swell from the SSW, but the energy is weak (under 30), and the wind is never right. Even on the 19th, when we get a glassy morning, the swell is only 0.7 ft. It’s just not enough to paddle for.
The only flicker of hope, and I mean a flicker, comes right at the end on Wednesday the 26th of August. The morning session sees a light, clean offshore breeze from the NE, and a small 1 ft wave from the WNW. The period is short, only 9 seconds, so it's not going to have any punch, and the energy is still weak at 32. It’s tiny, but it will be the cleanest the water looks in the entire forecast. The next morning, Thursday the 27th, also looks clean with light offshores, but the swell has dropped to 0.7 ft.
There is simply no standout, nothing to get excited about. This is a blank run, plain and simple. The reef just isn't catching any love from the ocean. If you're desperate for a paddle, the 26th morning is your best bet, but keep your expectations on the floor. It’s more of a lake than a surf break right now.
- Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Wed morning, min 19°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Wed night, strong winds from the NNW by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 28°C on Mon morning, min 19°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the NNW on Sat night, light winds from the NNE by Mon night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | Monday 17 | Tuesday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | S 18 | SW 18 | S 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | SW 18 | SW 15 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 120 | 154 | 154 | 154 | 237 | 175 | 130 | 124 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 21 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 7:02AM2.50m | 7:21PM2.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 1:04PM0.59m | 1:27AM0.69m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — |
 | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | — | 8:32 | — | — | 8:31 | — | — | 8:30 | — | — | 8:29 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 22 |
Feels °C | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 26 | 24 | 22 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | — | S 18 | SW 18 | S 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 15 | NNW 9 | SW 15 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | SSW 16 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 120 | 154 | 154 | 154 | 237 | 175 | 130 | 124 | — | 6 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 851 | 9 | 541 | 697 | 24 | 361 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NW 12 | NNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 15 | — | SSW 16 | SSW 16 | — | SSW 15 |
| kJ | 51 | 32 | 33 | 37 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | 26 | 25 | — | 21 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | — | W 9 | — | — | W 8 |
| kJ | — | — | — | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | 2 | — | — | 6 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 8 | — | — | NNW 9 | — |
| kJ | 18 | 20 | 41 | 37 | 55 | 81 | 121 | 158 | 462 | 998 | 956 | 1233 | 1097 | 739 | 1020 | — | 581 | — | — | 471 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 32 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 221 | 35 | 32 | 436 | 236 | 236 | 585 | 585 | 34 | 224 | 34 | 2 | 199 | 34 | 2 | 188 | 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.
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