Surf Forecasts:
The Reef surf forecast from 9 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Sunday 13 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 13s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Sunday 13 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 12s period, NW swell with 808 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 10AM (local time) - 4ft (1.2m), 7s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for The Reef this week:
The surf forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Saturday (Sep 12) at 10AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.2m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at The Reef in the next 16 days are 1.7m 12s and forecast to arrive on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.1m 11s period and expected on Sunday (Sep 13) at 10PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10AM (Sat 12th Sep) | 4ft (1.2m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 13s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sun 13th Sep) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 12s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s be straight with you – this outlook is a tough one. We’re looking at a 16-day window, but honestly, the surf is going to be a real struggle for most of it. For the first few days, the wind is just a mess, and the swell is all over the place. We’re talking about a solid stretch of poor conditions from Wednesday the 9th right through to late in the first week. There’s a very brief window of hope on the 13th, but after that, it’s back to the grind. The water is a bit colder than usual for this time of year, coming in at 66°F at the start, which is about 3°F below average, so definitely grab a thicker wetsuit.
The only real standout on the whole forecast is The Reef on the morning of Sunday the 13th of September. It’s a reef break, so it’s best for experienced surfers, and it’s fairly consistent. The morning is set to be glassy with a light offshore wind from the east at 3 mph. We’ve got a 3 ft swell from the NW, but the real story is the period – a solid 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy, and it’s going to make for some long, clean lines. The combined energy is moderate at 512. It’s a real gem in a sea of mediocrity. The afternoon on the same day is still workable with a 4 ft NW swell and a 12-second period, but the wind will be a light cross-onshore, so the morning is your best bet.
Before that, Saturday the 12th morning is surfable but very ordinary. You’ll find a 4 ft swell from the NNW with a poor 7-second period, and it’s cross-offshore wind. The conditions will be clean, but the waves lack any real punch.
After that Sunday high, the rest of the outlook is a bummer. From the 14th onwards, the wind is consistently cross or cross-onshore, and the swell just doesn’t have the quality. The combined energy does jump up to 665 on the 17th and 782 on the 19th, but the wind is a fresh cross-breeze, making it lumpy and choppy. It’s messy and not worth paddling out for. For the final week, from the 20th, the swell drops off significantly, and the wind remains a problem. It’s a long, dry spell to finish the forecast.
So, if you’re planning a session, make it Sunday morning the 13th. That’s your one shot at something special.
Rusty
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Fri morning, min 18°C on Wed afternoon). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Wed afternoon, light winds from the N by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 29°C on Sun morning, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 9 | Thursday 10 | Friday 11 | Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 365 | 419 | 471 | 421 | 308 | 218 | 173 | 133 | 103 | 128 | 105 | 118 | 342 | 528 | 756 | 357 | 233 | 124 | 151 | 130 | 88 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross-off | cross | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 2:16PM3.00m | 2:45AM2.80m | 2:59PM3.15m | 3:25AM2.92m | 3:38PM3.21m | 4:01AM2.96m | 4:15PM3.17m | 4:36AM2.94m | 4:51PM3.04m | 5:10AM2.86m | 5:26PM2.85m | 5:44AM2.73m | 6:02PM2.62m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:37PM0.08m | 8:45AM0.17m | 9:16PM-0.04m | 9:25AM0.07m | 9:53PM-0.07m | 10:02AM0.03m | 10:27PM-0.02m | 10:38AM0.08m | 11:00PM0.11m | 11:13AM0.19m | 11:32PM0.29m | 11:48AM0.36m | 00:04AM0.50m | ||||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | |
 | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — |
 | — | 7:55 | — | — | 7:54 | — | — | 7:52 | — | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 19 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 15 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 15 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | N 13 | N 15 | NNW 12 | NNW 11 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | N 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NW 12 | NNW 12 | NW 11 | NNW 7 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | WNW 8 | WNW 11 |
| kJ | 4 | 4 | 85 | 183 | 308 | 218 | 128 | 61 | 15 | 128 | 105 | 118 | 131 | 528 | 756 | 357 | 97 | 124 | 151 | 22 | 81 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | N 15 | NW 10 | W 11 | WNW 7 | W 7 | W 7 | W 7 | N 9 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 13 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 11 | NNW 7 | WNW 8 | NW 12 | WNW 8 |
| kJ | — | 4 | 25 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 55 | 69 | 46 | 342 | 97 | 89 | 94 | 233 | 47 | 22 | 23 | 12 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | NW 10 | W 9 | W 8 | W 11 | SW 13 | NW 18 | NW 15 | W 9 | S 12 | S 11 | S 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 13 | — | N 13 |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 109 | 39 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 46 | 28 | 7 | — | 3 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 9 | NNW 9 |
| kJ | 365 | 419 | 471 | 421 | 220 | 200 | 173 | 133 | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 130 | 88 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 270 | 590 | 125 | 38 | 467 | 38 | 29 | 216 | 29 | 0 | 194 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 22 | 30 | 26 | 29 | 591 | 425 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Ericeira | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the The Reef Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for The Reef provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at The Reef can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our The 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 (The 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 The 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.
The Reef is 15 km (9 miles) from the city of Sintra. If you plan a holiday in Ericeira, look for hotels and other accommodation in Sintra. Sintra has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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