Surf Forecasts:
Reef surf forecast from 24 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, NW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 12s period, NW swell with 2,824 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 25 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 5ft (1.5m), 7s period with W swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Reef this week:
The surf forecast for Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Tuesday (Aug 25) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.5m and 7s period. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Reef in the next 16 days are 3.0m 12s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) 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 1.3m 9s period and expected on Thursday (Aug 27) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Tue 25th Aug) | 5ft (1.5m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 10AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, Rusty here with a look at what’s on the cards. I’ll be honest with ya—this stretch is a patience tester. We’ve got a long dry spell at the start before one standout day that’ll get the blood pumping, but it comes with a big warning.
The opening of the period is a write-off. From Monday, August 24 right through to the end of the month, it’s mostly onshore howling and messy conditions. We’re looking at strong cross-onshore winds, gusty storms, and surf quality that’s just not worth paddling out for. The swell energy is high but ugly—hitting 1039 kW/m on Monday morning but battered by 25 mph cross-onshore winds. It’s a no-go.
We finally get a flicker of hope on Friday, August 28. This is the big one, and the only real standout in the entire 16-day window. The swell jumps to a solid 10 ft from the NW, with a period of 12 seconds—that’s proper groundswell, full of energy (2824 kW/m). The wind swings around to a gentle 9 mph cross-onshore from the NNW, which is manageable, and the forecast says the tide and wind will be favorable. But here’s the thing: at 10 ft, this is a big, powerful wave for a reef break. This is strictly for advanced and expert surfers only. Beginners, stay on the sand. The swell will be heaving, with long waits between sets, and it’ll be wrapping in with some serious push. The crowd factor is likely high, too, so expect company.
After that, it drops off again. Saturday and Sunday serve up smaller, jumbled leftovers in the 3–5 ft range with moderate cross-shore chop. Then we hit a big gap of poor, tiny surf well into the start of September. There’s a brief uptick in energy around September 5–6, with some longer-period WNW swell (18–23 seconds) and 4 ft waves, but it’s still cross-shore and only marginal. Nothing to write home about.
So, the takeaway: Friday, August 28 is your window. It’s a big, raw reef break for the experienced crew. The rest of the run is a waiting game. Forecaster confidence is solid for that Friday call, but the long-range stuff after it is just too far out and uncertain to get excited about.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastLight rain (total 9mm), mostly falling on Wed morning. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 20°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the SW on Mon morning, calm by Mon night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryLight rain (total 3mm), mostly falling on Wed night. Warm (max 21°C on Thu afternoon, min 17°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | W 6 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 1032 | 730 | 251 | 210 | 124 | 37 | 64 | 300 | 600 | 682 | 834 | 1699 | 2824 | 1995 | 882 | 440 | 281 | 171 | 116 | 91 | 77 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross |
High Tide | 1:28PM2.34m | 1:54AM2.25m | 2:08PM2.54m | 2:30AM2.42m | 2:43PM2.72m | 3:03AM2.57m | 3:15PM2.87m | 3:34AM2.69m | 3:46PM2.98m | 4:05AM2.78m | 4:17PM3.03m | 4:37AM2.82m | 4:50PM3.02m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 7:12AM0.91m | 7:48PM0.74m | 7:53AM0.72m | 8:24PM0.55m | 8:28AM0.54m | 8:57PM0.38m | 9:01AM0.39m | 9:28PM0.24m | 9:32AM0.26m | 9:59PM0.14m | 10:04AM0.19m | 10:29PM0.09m | 10:37AM0.16m | 11:01PM0.10m | |||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  | | | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:01 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — | 7:03 | — | — |
 | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:17 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:13 | — | — | 8:12 | — |
mm | 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Feels °C | 19 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 8 | NNW 8 | W 7 | WNW 7 | WNW 7 | W 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | WNW 9 | SW 11 | SW 11 | WNW 10 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 7 | NW 7 |
| kJ | 5 | 13 | 251 | 210 | 124 | 37 | 15 | 4 | 600 | 5 | 5 | 1699 | 2824 | 1995 | 882 | 440 | 281 | 171 | 116 | 91 | 77 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | SW 13 | SSW 6 | N 7 | SW 12 | NNW 6 | NW 10 | SW 11 | SW 11 | — | — | S 11 | — | — | — | S 10 | — | S 11 | W 13 | WNW 12 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 32 | 1 | 6 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 5 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 3 | 14 | 44 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | N 8 | SW 12 | W 10 | NW 11 | W 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 10 | S 10 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | — | — | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 20 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 8 | WSW 8 | — | — | — | — | W 6 | W 8 | — | WNW 8 | WNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 3 | — | — | NW 2 | — |
| kJ | 1032 | 730 | — | — | — | — | 64 | 300 | — | 682 | 834 | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | 1 | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 400 | 271 | 32 | 19 | 29 | 50 | 596 | 405 | 143 | 416 | 221 | 153 | 34 | 236 | 32 | 32 | 405 | 32 | 32 | 400 | 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.
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