
Surf Forecasts:
Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 11 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Wednesday 12 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 10s period, W swell with glassy winds.
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 15 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 5.5ft (1.7m), 8s period, NNW swell with 372 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Tuesday 11 Aug, 4AM (local time) - 3ft (0.9m), 6s period with NW 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 Tuesday (Aug 11) at 4AM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.9m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.4m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be offshore as the swell arrives.
The most powerful waves expected at Viana do Castelo in the next 16 days are 1.7m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Aug 15) 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 1.3m 6s period and expected on Friday (Aug 14) at 1AM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 4AM (Tue 11th Aug) | 3ft (0.9m) 6s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Wed 12th Aug) | 3.5ft (1.0m) 10s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Sat 15th Aug) | 5.5ft (1.7m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, looking at the same stretch of coast but in feet and miles.
Honestly, it’s a slow start. The first week and a half is mostly flat, small, and frustrating. The first real surfable day isn’t until Wednesday the 12th, and even then it’s nothing special.
The water temp is about 68°, which is pretty normal for the season.
The one session that stands out above the rest is a morning at Viana do Castelo on Sunday the 23rd of August. We’re talking about a clean 7ft swell from the NW, with a light offshore breeze from the NE. The water will be glassy, and the swell is coming from the best direction for this river break. The energy is strong (1763). But you need to know – at that size, it’s for experienced surfers only. Too big for beginners. The period is 10 seconds, so you’ll get some decent shape. This is a quality window, but since it’s more than a week away, keep it on your radar but don’t bank on it just yet.
Before that, the next best chance is Wednesday morning the 12th. You’ll find clean 3ft waves from the W with a 10-second period, glassy conditions, and light winds. The energy is moderate (228). It’s a good option for a beginner to get a few soft waves, but it’s not going to get your heart racing.
The rest of the first week is a mix of cross-shore breezes, small chop, and marginal conditions. The mornings on the 11th, 14th, and 17th are surfable but very ordinary. Afternoons are mostly blown out or too small.
The second week gets a little more interesting. The morning of Saturday the 22nd shows a 6ft NW swell with a 10-second period, clean conditions, and moderate energy (1275). But the wind is cross-off, not offshore, so the quality isn’t as good as the 23rd. Then by Monday the 24th, the swell drops to 3ft to 4ft, but the wind turns cross-onshore, which ruins it.
So, the message is clear: keep your eyes on Sunday the 23rd of August for the best chance of a proper session. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game. The surf will come back – it always does.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Thu morning, min 17°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 5-7 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 27°C on Sat afternoon, min 18°C on Thu night). Winds increasing (light winds from the N on Thu night, strong winds from the NNW by Sat afternoon). | |||||||||||||||||||
Mon 10 | Tuesday 11 | Wednesday 12 | Thursday 13 | Friday 14 | Saturday 15 | Sunday 16 | ||||||||||||||
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) | NW 7 | NW 9 | NW 8 | NW 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
Wave Graph | ||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 132 | 53 | 142 | 94 | 183 | 179 | 183 | 200 | 209 | 149 | 116 | 111 | 344 | 219 | 268 | 280 | 47 | 143 | 292 | |
Wind (km/h) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 2:36AM3.11m | 2:56PM3.43m | 3:26AM3.28m | 3:43PM3.58m | 4:10AM3.39m | 4:25PM3.65m | 4:51AM3.42m | 5:05PM3.63m | 5:30AM3.39m | 5:43PM3.54m | 6:07AM3.29m | 6:19PM3.37m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 8:22PM0.76m | 8:37AM0.77m | 9:12PM0.57m | 9:25AM0.63m | 9:56PM0.44m | 10:08AM0.55m | 10:37PM0.39m | 10:48AM0.53m | 11:16PM0.42m | 11:26AM0.60m | 11:52PM0.52m | 12:03PM0.72m | 00:28AM0.68m | |||||||
— | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:39 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:41 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | 6:43 | — | — | |
8:42 | — | — | 8:40 | — | — | 8:39 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:37 | — | — | 8:36 | — | — | 8:34 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 22 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 26 | 27 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 22 |
Feels °C | 20 | 17 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 17 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 24 | 22 | 18 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WSW 6 | NW 9 | NW 8 | WNW 11 | NW 5 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | W 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | NW 8 | NNW 8 | W 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 6 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 |
13 | 132 | 53 | 40 | 45 | 183 | 179 | 183 | 200 | 209 | 149 | 116 | 111 | 344 | 219 | 5 | 280 | 47 | 143 | 292 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 11 | WSW 6 | NNW 11 | WNW 9 | W 10 | NW 4 | NNW 9 | NW 6 | N 8 | — | — | — | — | S 12 | W 8 | — | W 8 | NNW 8 | W 8 | SW 18 |
9 | 7 | 47 | 8 | 94 | 13 | 17 | 59 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 12 | — | 5 | 46 | 5 | 12 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 14 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | W 5 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | — | NNW 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | W 8 | SW 17 | — |
8 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 33 | 32 | — | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 12 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 7 | — | — | NW 10 | — | — | NW 5 | — | NW 5 | NW 5 | NNW 6 | NNW 6 | NW 6 | — | — | NW 8 | — | — | — | — |
73 | — | — | 142 | — | — | 10 | — | 23 | 33 | 127 | 63 | 54 | — | — | 268 | — | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 146 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 14 | 191 | 0 | 0 | 284 | 19 | 2 | 411 | 85 | 19 | 312 | 36 |
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.











