Surf Forecasts:
The Reef surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 17 Sep, 7AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Thursday 17 Sep, 4AM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 10s period, NNW swell with 1,589 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Sunday 13 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 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 Sunday (Sep 13) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s. 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 3.0m 10s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Sep 17) at 4AM. 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+) | 1AM (Sun 13th Sep) | 3ft (0.9m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 4AM (Thu 17th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 10s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for The Reef over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
G’day, Rusty here. Let’s run through what’s coming at The Reef for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there are a couple of absolute gems if you can wait.
Right now, it’s pretty quiet. Saturday the 12th has a small, short-period NNW swell around 4ft, with a cross-off breeze that keeps it clean, but the energy is weak (183). Surfable, but nothing special. Saturday arvo goes to crap with a messy cross-on wind.
Sunday the 13th morning is the first real chance. The swell drops a bit to about 3ft, but the period jumps to 13 seconds from the NW – proper groundswell. Energy is up (391), and with a light SSE cross-off, it’ll be clean. Good for The Reef.
Monday the 14th morning is a cracker. Glassy conditions, 3ft of NW swell at 11 seconds, and solid energy (304). It’ll be clean and fun.
Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are write-offs. Tiny, messy, or blown out. Wednesday sees a big 10ft swell, but with a strong cross-shore wind at 28 mph, it’s a mess.
Thursday the 17th morning brings a solid 8ft swell from the NNW at 11 seconds, with a clean cross-off breeze. Energy is pumping (1511), but that’s expert-only territory.
Friday the 18th morning offers a cleaner 7ft option, still from the NNW, with a cross-off. Moderate energy (647), manageable for experienced surfers.
Now, the good stuff. Sunday the 20th morning: glassy conditions, 6ft of NNW groundswell at 11 seconds, strong energy (866). Clean and solid – a standout.
Monday the 21st morning is the absolute pick. A 6ft swell from the NNW, but check the period – 13 seconds, very long. Energy is massive (1198), and with a light cross-off breeze from the ENE, it’ll be firing. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers. Don’t miss it.
Tuesday the 22nd morning is another glassy beauty – 5ft of NW groundswell at 11 seconds, energy at 530. Lovely.
After that, it fades. Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th are smaller and choppy. Friday the 25th is tiny and weak (76), and the following weekend is blown out by strong north winds. Sunday the 27th sees a pulse of 6-7ft NNW swell, but the period drops to 8 seconds and the cross-shore wind ruins it.
Water temp is 65°F, which is about 4°F colder than normal – notably chilly, so grab a thick wetsuit.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 20°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (strong winds from the N on Tue night, light winds from the NNE by Wed night). | ||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday 12 | Sunday 13 | Monday 14 | Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | |||||||||||||||
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 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 11 | NNW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NW 15 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 115 | 111 | 97 | 290 | 465 | 435 | 242 | 169 | 102 | 63 | 61 | 475 | 1461 | 1320 | 1490 | 1511 | 1040 | 717 | 616 | 463 | 966 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-on | cross-off | cross-off | on | cross-off | glassy | cross-on | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross |
High Tide | 4:15PM3.17m | 4:36AM2.94m | 4:51PM3.04m | 5:10AM2.86m | 5:26PM2.85m | 5:44AM2.73m | 6:02PM2.62m | 6:18AM2.55m | 6:39PM2.37m | 6:56AM2.36m | 7:22PM2.13m | 7:44AM2.16m | 8:22PM1.92m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 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 | 12:25PM0.57m | 00:38AM0.73m | 1:07PM0.80m | 1:19AM0.95m | 2:02PM1.01m | 2:18AM1.13m | |||||||
 | |  | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | | | | | | |
 | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — |
 | — | 7:51 | — | — | 7:50 | — | — | 7:47 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:43 | — | — | 7:42 | — |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 26 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 19 |
Feels °C | 24 | 25 | 21 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NW 11 | WNW 11 | S 13 | SW 13 | SW 12 | NNW 11 | S 12 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 8 |
| kJ | 115 | 111 | 97 | 290 | 465 | 435 | 242 | 169 | 102 | 63 | 33 | 76 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1511 | 3 | 717 | 616 | 463 | 379 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | N 6 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | WNW 8 | S 13 | — | — | S 12 | S 12 | S 16 | SW 16 | NNW 15 | NW 13 | NW 15 |
| kJ | 61 | 68 | 64 | 61 | 37 | 20 | 46 | 46 | 40 | 22 | 13 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 144 | 966 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | NW 12 | NW 15 | W 9 | S 12 | S 11 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | S 11 | WNW 12 | S 10 | — | — | — | — | S 18 | — | S 11 | SW 15 | NNW 19 | SW 14 |
| kJ | 7 | 6 | 80 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 15 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 6 | — | 2 | 9 | 35 | 8 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NNW 4 | NNW 4 | NNW 5 | NNW 7 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 10 | — | — | — | — |
| kJ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 8 | 61 | 475 | 1461 | 1320 | 1490 | — | 1040 | — | — | — | — |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 591 | 231 | 435 | 590 | 119 | 27 | 216 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 26 |
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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