Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 18 Aug 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Friday 21 Aug, 1AM (local time) - 6ft (1.9m), 8s period, NW swell with 392 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 1.9m 8s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 21) 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 2.5m 8s period and expected on Sunday (Aug 23) at 7AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 1AM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.9m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve got to be straight with you – this stretch is a tough one. The next couple of weeks are looking mostly flat, with barely a ripple worth paddling for. The swell energy is just not there, and when it does show a pulse, the wind is messy. We’re staring down a long dry spell, so don’t get your hopes up too early.
The only break we’ve got on the radar is Reef, an advanced reef setup that’s fairly consistent and exposed to the SW swell. Water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild.
Right now, from Tuesday the 18th of August right through until the end of the month, it’s a total write-off. Swell heights are mostly 0.3ft to 2ft, with combined swell energy barely cracking 100 (mostly between 15 and 97), so the ocean’s got no push. Winds are all over the shop – cross-shore, onshore, choppy – nothing clean. A couple of mornings, like Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th of August, go glassy with 1ft to 2ft of SW to WNW swell, but it’s just too small to surf.
We get a bit of a bump on Friday the 28th of August, with 3ft of NW swell and combined energy hitting 129 (moderate energy), but the wind is a moderate cross-shore, so it’s lumpy. Still, that’s the best of a bad bunch.
Then we hit a massive gap. From Saturday the 29th of August through Monday the 1st of September, it’s back to tiny 0.3ft slop or flat. Not a single decent wave.
Finally, on Wednesday the 2nd of September, we see some life. The morning brings 5ft of NW swell with a 10-second period and combined energy of 519 (strong energy). That’s the standout – a proper pulse. Wind is onshore from the west at 9 mph, so it’ll be a bit bumpy, but this is the only window with enough size to get excited about. It’s a solid, powerful groundswell, and Reef handles that direction well. It’s an advanced spot, so leave the beginners on the beach. Expect crowds to be likely here.
Other than that, this forecast is a long, flat grind. The lack of consistency is just the reality for this area right now. Fingers crossed the next update brings better news.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 20°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Fri night). Mainly strong winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 18 | Wednesday 19 | Thursday 20 | Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | |||||||||||||||
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 8 | SSW 16 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SSW 13 | WNW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 10 | 24 | 21 | 33 | 27 | 50 | 62 | 61 | 392 | 38 | 47 | 42 | 39 | 25 | 23 | 18 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | glassy | glassy | cross-on | glassy | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 7:02AM2.50m | 7:21PM2.44m | 7:44AM2.32m | 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 | |||||||
Low Tide | 1:04PM0.59m | 1:27AM0.69m | 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 | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — |
 | — | 8:29 | — | — | 8:28 | — | — | 8:25 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NNW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | W 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | SW 13 | WNW 7 | SW 13 | SW 13 | W 8 | W 8 |
| kJ | 270 | 231 | 138 | 94 | 70 | 28 | 62 | 61 | 27 | 186 | 47 | 42 | 39 | 25 | 23 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | SSW 16 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | NW 10 | WNW 9 | NNW 5 | NW 11 | NNW 13 | W 9 | SSW 15 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SSW 13 | SW 13 | — | — | SW 13 | SW 12 |
| kJ | 5 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 27 | 50 | 11 | 31 | 32 | 38 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 7 | — | — | 7 | 6 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 16 | WNW 8 | SSW 15 | SW 14 | WNW 8 | SSW 4 | SSW 5 | SSW 4 | SSW 15 | SW 15 | — | NNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 |
| kJ | 10 | 6 | 21 | 33 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 8 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | SSW 3 | — | — | — | — | — | NW 5 | NW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 |
| kJ | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 11 | 392 | 263 | 706 | 692 | 772 | 539 | 744 | 954 | 634 | 481 | 463 | 302 | 229 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 1 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 420 | 400 | 599 | 420 | 144 | 241 | 542 | 448 | 585 | 496 | 192 | 130 | 388 | 43 |
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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