
Surf Forecasts:
Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 15 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 16 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 14s period, NW swell with 3,110 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Wednesday 16 Sep, 1AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 7s period with NNW swell.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Viana do Castelo this week:
The surf forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Sep 16) at 1AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.1m and 7s period with a secondary swell of 0.8m and 10s. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Viana do Castelo in the next 16 days are 3.0m 14s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Sep 18) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-offshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.2m 6s period and expected on Friday (Sep 18) at 4AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 1AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Best Surf | 1AM (Wed 16th Sep) | 7ft (2.1m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 10ft (3.0m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, let’s break down what’s headin’ our way.
We got a slow start this week. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th are a write-off – junk wind and messy surf. But don’t worry, there’s some proper swell building for the end of the week and into next week.
Thursday morning the 17th finally shows some life at Viana do Castelo. Clean 6ft waves from the NW with a 10-second period, light NNE breeze. The combined energy is moderate (634). Not epic, but a solid session. Afternoon gets blown out though.
Friday morning the 18th is similar – 6ft, NW, 9-second period, light wind. Water temp is about 64°, which is just a degree cooler than normal for this time of year – nothin’ wild.
Here’s the standout. Saturday morning the 19th – this is the one. Glassy, dead calm, with a clean 7ft NW swell at a long 13 seconds. That’s proper groundswell energy – combined energy at 1334 (moderate to strong). The NE breeze at just 3 mph means it’ll be glass. This is excellent for experienced surfers – it’s a bit much for beginners at that size.
Sunday morning the 20th keeps it clean with 5ft NW, 11-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the E – real nice.
If you can wait, Wednesday morning the 23rd is another beauty. Glassy, zero wind, 6ft WNW swell at 13 seconds, combined energy at 1174. That’s a long-period groundswell, so the river mouth here should line up perfectly – long, powerful waves. For the experienced crew, this is prime.
Thursday morning the 24th is also glassy and clean with 5ft NW, 12-second swell – another top tier session.
Watch out for Monday the 28th – the swell pumps to 7ft, but the data says it’s just too big for this break. Leave it for the madmen.
The 29th and 30th mornings look good with clean, glassy conditions and solid 4-6ft NW swells – more friendly, consistent waves for everyone.
When the period goes past 11 seconds, those longer lulls make paddlin’ out easier and the wave shape is way better. Keep your eyes locked on Saturday the 19th and Wednesday the 23rd – those are your best calls.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Tue morning, fresh winds from the NNW by Thu afternoon). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Fri morning). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday 15 | Wednesday 16 | Thursday 17 | Friday 18 | Saturday 19 | Sunday 20 | Monday 21 | |||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 12 | NW 11 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 12 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 12 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 553 | 452 | 319 | 794 | 1250 | 634 | 753 | 186 | 526 | 1007 | 2405 | 1326 | 1006 | 792 | 515 | 350 | 279 | 221 | 479 | 433 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | off | glassy | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross-off | off | cross-off | cross | off |
High Tide | 6:15PM3.11m | 6:33AM3.04m | 6:49PM2.89m | 7:09AM2.85m | 7:28PM2.65m | 7:51AM2.67m | 8:22PM2.44m | 8:54AM2.51m | 9:48PM2.29m | 10:30AM2.45m | 11:38PM2.32m | 12:03PM2.55m | 00:51AM2.49m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 12:02PM0.84m | 00:17AM0.90m | 12:36PM1.03m | 00:49AM1.11m | 1:14PM1.23m | 1:27AM1.33m | 2:04PM1.43m | 2:19AM1.54m | 3:24PM1.58m | 3:50AM1.68m | 5:18PM1.57m | 5:40AM1.63m | 6:36PM1.41m | ||||||||
7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:18 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | 7:20 | — | — | |
— | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:37 | — | — | 7:35 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 31 | 29 | 27 |
Feels °C | 21 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 29 | 26 | 24 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | WNW 8 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | S 13 | NW 10 | S 18 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 16 | NW 14 | NW 13 | NW 13 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 |
40 | 12 | 118 | 186 | 58 | 3 | 634 | 6 | 159 | 526 | 942 | 2405 | 1326 | 1006 | 792 | 515 | 350 | 279 | 150 | 479 | 433 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 8 | — | — | NW 13 | — | — | — | — | S 16 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | NW 12 | S 12 | SW 12 |
34 | — | — | 7 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 221 | 3 | 6 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | S 12 | — | — |
53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 5 | NW 11 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NW 8 | NW 11 | — | NW 10 | NNW 6 | — | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
19 | 553 | 452 | 319 | 794 | 1250 | — | 753 | 186 | — | 1007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 120 | 130 | 312 | 120 | 100 | 0 | 100 | 151 | 0 | 120 | 2 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Douro and Minho | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Viana do Castelo Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Viana do Castelo provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Viana do Castelo can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Viana do Castelo 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 (Viana do Castelo) 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 Viana do Castelo 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.
Viana do Castelo is 3 km (2 miles) from Viana do Castelo. If you plan a holiday in Douro and Minho, look for hotels and other accommodation in Viana do Castelo. Viana do Castelo has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.










