Surf Forecasts:
Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 26 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period, WNW swell with cross-onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 1PM (local time) - 10ft (3.0m), 11s period, WNW swell with 2,200 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.5m), 11s period with WNW 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 Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.5m and 11s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-onshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Viana do Castelo in the next 16 days are 3.0m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 1PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 1.0m 5s period and expected on Monday (Aug 31) at 7PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Best Surf | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.5m) 11s |
| Most Powerful | 1PM (Fri 28th Aug) | 10ft (3.0m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, folks, Rusty here. Let's break down what's on the menu for the Viana do Castelo stretch over the next couple of weeks.
First up, the water is a bit cooler than usual for this time of year, sitting at 63°F, which is a couple of degrees off the mark. We've got a bit of a slow start, with a few days of pretty ordinary conditions. Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are a write-off, with messy, onshore winds and weak, choppy surf. Nothing to get excited about there.
Then things get interesting. Friday the 28th is the real standout. The morning brings a solid 8ft WNW groundswell, with a period of 10 seconds, and the wind goes glassy. That's a rare combo for this spot. The combined energy is strong, hitting 1450, so there's plenty of push. Just keep in mind, this is a river break, so a long-period swell like this can sometimes make it a bit wonky, but the glassy conditions might just make it perfect for the experienced crew. The afternoon holds similar size but goes cross-shore. Friday morning is the pick of the whole forecast.
Saturday the 29th is a total letdown after that. The swell drops right off, with a tiny 4ft in the morning. The glassy conditions are nice, but 4ft with an 8-second period is just weak. It's a classic case of "all show, no go."
The next real glimmer of hope comes on Monday the 31st of August. We've got a clean 6ft to 6ft NW swell rolling in, with a moderate cross-offshore breeze. The energy is solid, around 647 to 677. It's a consistent, surfable wave, good for a range of abilities. The morning session looks better.
After that, the surf drops off again. Tuesday the 1st of September is smaller, and the wind picks up. The trend is a general decline, with a few tiny, weak days, but the clean offshore winds are a nice touch for the kite surfers looking for a session.
Looking further ahead, there's a promising pulse on the horizon. Saturday the 5th of September shows a clean 6ft NW swell with a 12-second period and a nice cross-offshore breeze. The energy is back up to 1019, which is strong. That's one for the experienced surfers, as it'll be a bit punchy. The next morning, Sunday the 6th, is also very clean at 5ft, and Monday the 7th has a super long-period groundswell coming in at 4ft with a 15-second period. That's a real treat for the points and reefs, but might be a bit too straight for the river mouth. The glassy conditions on Monday morning make it a must-check.
The second week looks a bit more ordinary, with smaller swells and less consistent energy. The solid pulses are mostly in the first 10 days, so make the most of that Friday the 28th and the start of the following week.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastHeavy rain (total 66mm), heaviest during Thu morning. Warm (max 21°C on Fri afternoon, min 15°C on Wed night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the S on Wed morning, calm by Fri night). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 15°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | Friday 28 | Saturday 29 | Sunday 30 | Monday 31 | Tuesday 1 | |||||||||||||||
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) | S 5 | SW 7 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | NW 8 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NW 9 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 246 | 171 | 147 | 80 | 666 | 2006 | 1708 | 618 | 219 | 173 | 238 | 580 | 441 | 294 | 476 | 535 | 561 | 321 | 359 | 339 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | cross-on | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | glassy | cross | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:56PM3.15m | 3:17AM3.02m | 3:28PM3.31m | 3:48AM3.18m | 4:00PM3.44m | 4:19AM3.30m | 4:32PM3.52m | 4:52AM3.38m | 5:06PM3.53m | 5:26AM3.40m | 5:42PM3.47m | 6:03AM3.36m | 6:21PM3.33m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 9:07PM0.85m | 9:12AM0.85m | 9:38PM0.69m | 9:45AM0.70m | 10:09PM0.57m | 10:18AM0.59m | 10:41PM0.50m | 10:52AM0.54m | 11:14PM0.48m | 11:28AM0.56m | 11:50PM0.54m | 12:07PM0.65m | 00:29AM0.66m | ||||||||
6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:56 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 6:58 | — | — | 7:00 | — | — | |
— | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | — | 8:15 | — | — | 8:14 | — | — | 8:12 | — | — | 8:10 | — | — | 8:08 | — | |
mm | 7 | 5 | 11 | 26 | 4 | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 18 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 19 |
Feels °C | 15 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | SW 12 | WSW 7 | WSW 7 | SW 6 | NW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 8 | NW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NW 9 | NW 10 | NW 10 | SW 16 | NW 9 | SW 16 | SW 15 |
41 | 5 | 171 | 147 | 68 | 133 | 2006 | 1708 | 618 | 219 | 173 | 238 | 580 | 441 | 294 | 476 | 535 | 10 | 321 | 9 | 9 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 9 | — | WNW 8 | NW 8 | W 7 | — | — | — | — | N 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SW 18 | S 11 | SW 16 | S 10 | — |
21 | — | 26 | 60 | 80 | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | 2 | 10 | 2 | — | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 6 | — | WSW 8 | NW 12 | NW 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 11 | S 10 | — | — |
5 | — | 24 | 6 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | S 5 | SW 7 | — | — | — | W 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 9 | NNW 5 | NW 9 | NNW 8 |
48 | 246 | — | — | — | 666 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 561 | 45 | 359 | 339 | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 165 | 106 | 10 | 104 | 179 | 247 | 85 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 10 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 19 | 2 | 130 | 18 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Douro and Minho | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in Portugal | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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.











