
Surf Forecasts:
Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 12 Sep 2026:
- Best quality surf: Tuesday 15 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 7s period, NNW swell with cross-offshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 18 Sep, 10PM (local time) - 7.5ft (2.3m), 14s period, NW swell with 2,216 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 12 Sep, 7PM (local time) - 2.5ft (0.7m), 9s 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 Saturday (Sep 12) at 7PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 0.4m and 15s period with a secondary swell of 0.7m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.6m and 9s is also forecast. 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 2.3m 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 1.8m 6s period and expected on Tuesday (Sep 15) at 4PM.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 7PM (Sat 12th Sep) | 2.5ft (0.7m) 9s |
| Best Surf | 10PM (Tue 15th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 7s |
| Most Powerful | 10PM (Fri 18th Sep) | 7.5ft (2.3m) 14s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Right then, let's have a look at what's on offer for Viana do Castelo over the next couple of weeks.
The coming period starts off quiet, but there's a real pulse of energy building into the second week. For a river break, we need the stars to align – right swell, right wind, right tide – and for the first few days, it's mostly small and ordinary. Saturday the 12th is a write-off for serious paddling: glassy 2ft waves from the WNW with only 147 combined energy, so really weak. Nothing to get excited about.
Sunday the 13th is where things suddenly get interesting. The morning brings a clean 4ft NW groundswell with a 12-second period and 551 combined energy (moderate). The wind is glassy from the ENE. That's the best surf of the first week, no doubt. The water is 63° – about 3° colder than normal for this time of year, so grab a decent spring suit.
Monday the 14th morning still has decent 3ft NW swell with 230 energy and glassy conditions, but it's a step down. Then we hit a real flat spell. From Tuesday the 15th through to Wednesday the 16th, the wind cranks up to 22 mph from the N and NNW, and while the swell builds to 6ft-7ft, it's just too messy and blown out to recommend. That 7ft on Wednesday afternoon is specifically flagged as too big for this break anyway.
The standout of the entire outlook is Monday the 21st. The morning brings a clean 7ft NW groundswell with a very long 14-second period. Combined energy is a powerful 1443 (strong). Wind is pure offshore from the ENE at only 3 mph. That's excellent, heavy surf for experienced surfers only – the size and power will be too much for most, and a long-period NW groundswell on a river break can really jack up and wall. The afternoon gets a bigger 7ft, but it's flagged as too big for the break.
Before that, Sunday the 20th morning is a solid runner-up: 5ft NW swell, 595 combined energy, with a clean cross-off breeze. Very good conditions for those who can't wait.
After the big Monday, the swell backs off. Tuesday the 22nd afternoon is still good – 6ft NW, glassy, 1065 energy – but it's settling. From Wednesday the 23rd onward, it fades rapidly into small, weak waves under 3ft through to the end of the period.
So, if you're looking for the one true standout, it's Monday the 21st at dawn. Sunday the 13th morning is the best bet for the first week. Get on it.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 31°C on Sun morning, min 18°C on Mon night). Wind will be generally light. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 24°C on Tue morning, min 14°C on Wed night). Winds increasing (light winds from the NNW on Tue morning, fresh winds from the N by Wed afternoon). | ||||||||||||||||||||
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) | WNW 10 | WNW 9 | NW 14 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 9 | NW 9 | NW 12 | NW 14 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 90 | 181 | 520 | 533 | 369 | 165 | 137 | 77 | 53 | 0 | 518 | 349 | 531 | 587 | 678 | 652 | 547 | 294 | 959 | 2125 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | glassy | cross-off | cross-off | glassy | cross | glassy | glassy | cross | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off |
High Tide | 4:37PM3.56m | 4:58AM3.43m | 5:10PM3.47m | 5:30AM3.34m | 5:42PM3.31m | 6:01AM3.21m | 6:15PM3.11m | 6:33AM3.04m | 6:49PM2.89m | 7:09AM2.85m | 7:28PM2.65m | 7:51AM2.67m | 8:22PM2.44m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:23AM0.53m | 10:44PM0.45m | 10:56AM0.58m | 11:16PM0.55m | 11:29AM0.69m | 11:46PM0.70m | 12:02PM0.84m | 00:17AM0.90m | 12:36PM1.03m | 00:49AM1.11m | 1:14PM1.23m | 1:27AM1.33m | 2:04PM1.43m | 2:19AM1.54m | |||||||
7:11 | — | — | 7:11 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:13 | — | — | 7:15 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | 7:16 | — | — | |
— | 7:51 | — | — | 7:49 | — | — | 7:46 | — | — | 7:45 | — | — | 7:44 | — | — | 7:42 | — | — | 7:39 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 29 | 29 | 27 | 31 | 30 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 18 |
Feels °C | 27 | 26 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 20 | 17 | 16 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NNW 7 | WNW 9 | NW 10 | NW 12 | NW 12 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 11 | NW 10 | WNW 8 | — | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | WNW 10 | NW 11 | NW 10 | — | S 16 | NW 9 | NW 12 | NW 14 |
66 | 90 | 130 | 520 | 533 | 369 | 165 | 137 | 77 | 53 | — | 125 | 148 | 88 | 273 | 678 | — | 5 | 294 | 959 | 2125 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | WNW 10 | NW 9 | NW 14 | W 9 | SW 12 | W 10 | WNW 9 | WNW 9 | WNW 8 | NW 9 | — | — | — | NW 12 | S 13 | — | — | S 12 | NW 12 | NW 16 | SW 14 |
74 | 13 | 181 | 25 | 6 | 49 | 65 | 65 | 57 | 40 | — | — | — | 75 | 3 | — | — | 3 | 98 | 260 | 8 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 13 | NW 16 | W 8 | SW 12 | — | S 12 | — | — | NW 13 | NW 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 19 | W 9 | — |
7 | 41 | 37 | 6 | — | 3 | — | — | 7 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14 | 6 | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NNW 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NW 6 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | — | NW 10 | NNW 9 | — | — | — |
— | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 206 | 518 | 349 | 531 | 587 | — | 652 | 547 | — | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 104 | 0 | 0 | 611 | 301 | 483 | 100 | 151 | 18 | 120 | 44 | 0 | 120 | 19 |
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.










