The Reef surf break

The Reef surfForecast / Ericeira / Portugal

information circle16 Day Weather and Surf, issued 6 am Saturday 16 May 2026 WEST
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
The Reef surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's The Reef sea temperature is
16.7° C
(Which is normal for this time of year)

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 Wednesday (May 20) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.7m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 16s. 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 2.4m 14s and forecast to arrive on Wednesday (May 20) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.2m 13s period and expected on Thursday (May 21) at 4PM.

Wave TypeTime (WEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 1AM (Wed 20th May)5.5ft (1.7m) 10s
Best Surf10AM (Wed 20th May)8ft (2.5m) 13s
Most Powerful 7AM (Wed 20th May)8ft (2.4m) 14s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days.


Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Very mild (max 16°C on Sat morning, min 13°C on Sun night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Sat afternoon, light winds from the NW by Mon night).

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 25°C on Thu morning, min 15°C on Tue morning). Wind will be generally light.

Saturday
16
Sunday
17
Monday
18
Tuesday
19
Wednesday
20
Thursday
21
Friday
22
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
0
3
4
2
3
3
1
3
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
NNW
9
2.2
NNW
9
1.9
NNW
9
1.4
NNW
8
1.4
NNW
8
1.2
NW
14
1.9
NW
13
1.8
NW
12
1.5
NW
11
1.3
NW
10
1.5
NW
10
1.7
NW
10
2.5
WNW
13
2.2
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
11
1.6
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
10
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
963
753
579
277
248
526
1185
869
524
369
425
557
2116
1597
967
776
662
693
501
441
363
Wind (km/h)
35
N
35
NNW
30
NNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
25
NNW
20
NNW
20
NW
10
NW
10
NW
15
NW
15
NNE
15
NNE
15
NNW
10
NNE
5
SSW
10
NW
15
NNE
15
NNW
20
NNW
25
N
cross
cross
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-on
cross-off
cross-off
cross
cross-off
glassy
cross-on
cross-off
cross-on
cross
cross
High Tide
3:04PM3.04m
3:27AM3.02m
3:49PM3.10m
4:16AM2.98m
4:36PM3.10m
5:07AM2.86m
5:26PM3.03m
6:00AM2.69m
6:20PM2.90m
6:58AM2.50m
7:19PM2.75m
8:02AM2.33m
8:25PM2.61m
Low Tide
9:14PM0.02m
9:34AM0.04m
10:02PM-0.03m
10:20AM0.10m
10:52PM0.01m
11:08AM0.21m
11:45PM0.12m
11:59AM0.37m
00:43AM0.28m
12:55PM0.54m
1:47AM0.44m
1:58PM0.70m
2:58AM0.57m
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:24
6:22
6:22
6:22
6:20
6:20
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
8:43
8:44
8:45
8:45
8:46
8:47
8:49
Temp °C
16
15
14
15
15
14
15
15
15
16
17
16
23
24
21
25
25
22
21
19
16
9
9
8
11
10
9
12
11
12
15
15
14
20
21
19
24
22
19
18
16
12
Swell 1
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.1
W
16
0.2
WNW
14
0.2
WNW
12
0.6
NW
16
1.2
NW
14
1.9
NW
13
1.8
NW
12
1.5
NW
11
1.3
NW
10
1.5
NW
10
1.7
NW
10
2.5
WNW
13
2.2
WNW
13
1.8
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
12
1.7
WNW
11
1.7
WNW
11
1.6
WNW
10
1.5
WNW
10
1.3
WNW
10
Energy kJ
3
5
19
14
151
526
1185
869
524
369
425
557
2116
1597
967
776
662
693
501
441
363
Swell 2
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
S
12
0.2
WNW
17
0.4
NW
11
0.6
NW
10
0.1
SW
18
0.1
SW
17
0.1
SW
16
0.2
W
15
0.2
WNW
14
0.6
WNW
16
0.1
SW
15
0.1
SW
14
0.1
SW
14
0.1
SW
14
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
13
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
14
0.2
SSW
14
Energy kJ
3
28
32
63
12
12
10
17
21
171
8
8
8
7
17
17
18
21
20
Swell 3
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.1
W
8
0.1
SW
18
0.1
W
16
0.1
SW
16
0.1
SW
16
0.4
WNW
13
0.1
S
16
0.1
SW
16
0.1
S
10
0.1
S
5
Energy kJ
1
13
5
10
10
59
5
10
2
1
Wind waves
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
2.4
NNW
9
2.2
NNW
9
1.9
NNW
9
1.4
NNW
8
1.4
NNW
8
1.5
NNW
7
0.3
NW
2
0.3
NNW
3
0.4
NNW
3
0.4
NNW
3
Energy kJ
963
753
579
277
248
198
1
2
4
3
Nearest Offshore or Glassy
Rating
(10 max)
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
2
2
2
1
3
4
4
3
3
2
3
2
2
2
Distance (km)
231
492
231
406
604
26
125
411
26
26
217
0
0
26
0
0
26
0
26
26
26
Best forecast wave conditions in Ericeira
Rating
(10 max)
3
4
3
3
3
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal
Rating
(10 max)
3
2
2
2
3
2
4
4
3
3
1
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
Header Global
Rating
(10 max)
5
5
5
6
7
4
7
4
4
4
4
7
4
9
9
9
9
9
5
6
5
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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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