
Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 8 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 14 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, WNW swell with 175 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 Friday (Aug 14) at 1AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.6m 7s period and expected on Saturday (Aug 15) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 14th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down the next couple of weeks out at the reef.
First thing you need to know: this is a tough stretch. We’re looking at wave energy that’s barely tickling the reef, and the wind is almost never on our side. The surf is small, weak, and messy for the vast majority of the time. The combined swell energy doesn’t crack the 200 mark (moderate) until the 12th of August, and even then, it’s mostly cross-onshore chop. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from Saturday the 8th all the way through to the 20th of August, with nothing worth paddling out for. The only bright spot I can see is a very brief window at the very end of the forecast.
Let’s talk about the one and only standout. On the morning of Friday, the 21st of August, the reef goes glassy. Literally glassy. The wind is a slight air, and the sea surface is flat calm. The swell is tiny, just 0.7 ft from the SSW, with a period of 13 seconds, so it’s a long-period groundswell. The combined energy is only 32, so it’s weak, but that clean, glassy surface will be the cleanest surf you’ll see in the entire 16-day period. It’s the only moment where the conditions might actually line up for a few silky, lined-up waves. For a spot that’s exposed and usually dealing with cross-wind, this is a rare treat.
Then, on the morning of Sunday, the 23rd of August, we get another glassy moment. The wind shifts to a light ESE, again glassy, with a tiny 1 ft NW swell at 12 seconds. Combined energy of 33. Again, it’s small, but it’s clean. That’s the only other window.
The rest of the forecast is a write-off. The wind is either cross, cross-on, or fresh, and the swell is either too small or too short-period to do anything fun. The reef is an advanced, exposed spot, and with the onshore chop, it’s going to be a lumpy mess. The water temperature anomaly is about average for the time of year, so no wetsuit surprises.
Honestly, if you’re not willing to wait until the 21st, you’re better off doing something else. The days before that are just a long, frustrating gap of poor surf. For the few tiny windows of glass, it’s worth a quick session, but don’t expect much size.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sat morning, min 19°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 19°C on Mon night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 8 | Sunday 9 | Monday 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | |||||||||||||||
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 9 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | WNW 10 | NW 5 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 33 | 84 | 86 | 109 | 97 | 64 | 94 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 77 | 110 | 144 | 141 | 141 | 115 | 175 | 141 | 101 | 129 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 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 | 4:01PM3.26m | 4:27AM2.93m | 4:42PM3.25m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 9:45AM0.08m | 10:18PM-0.10m | 10:26AM0.04m | 10:58PM-0.07m | |||||||
6:43 | — | — | 6:45 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | |
— | 8:42 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:38 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:35 | — | — | 8:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | W 8 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 7 | WNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 7 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 9 |
33 | 33 | 84 | 86 | 109 | 97 | 64 | 5 | 24 | 38 | 53 | 77 | 110 | 144 | 141 | 141 | 115 | 175 | 141 | 101 | 129 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 9 | NNW 8 | N 7 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | S 12 | S 12 | W 6 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NW 11 | — | — | NW 11 | — |
26 | 20 | 9 | 47 | 39 | 59 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 18 | 58 | 49 | 33 | 34 | 17 | 60 | — | — | 44 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 12 | S 12 | NNW 12 | N 7 | N 7 | S 11 | S 12 | — | NNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 11 | — | — | — | — | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
3 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 20 | 19 | 23 | — | — | — | — | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | N 7 | WNW 6 | NW 8 | NW 4 | NNW 6 | NW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 33 | 94 | 18 | 52 | 23 | 38 | 39 | 59 | 55 | 110 | 137 | 117 | 163 | 176 | 186 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 86 | 405 | 32 | 32 | 388 | 32 | 124 | 443 | 32 | 124 | 400 | 32 | 32 | 35 | 32 | 32 | 402 | 35 | 32 | 430 | 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.











