Viana do Castelo Surf Break

Lat Long: 41.69° N 8.85° W

Viana do Castelo Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Issued: 12 am 17 Jul 2026 (local time)

Forecast update in  hr  min

Today's Viana do Castelo sea temperature is
17.4° C
1.0° 

Viana do Castelo surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.


Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 17 Jul 2026:

  • Best quality surf: Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 6s period, NW swell with glassy winds.
  • Most powerful swell: Thursday 23 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.1m), 8s period, NNW swell with 165 kJ wave energy.
  • Next surfable swell (1★+): Saturday 18 Jul, 10PM (local time) - 3.5ft (1.0m), 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 Saturday (Jul 18) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.0m and 6s period with a secondary swell of 0.3m and 8s. The wind is predicted to be glassy as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Viana do Castelo in the next 16 days are 1.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Jul 23) at 10PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.6m 5s period and expected on Saturday (Jul 18) at 7PM.

Wave TypeTime (WEST) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+)10PM (Sat 18th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Best Surf10PM (Sat 18th Jul)3.5ft (1.0m) 6s
Most Powerful10PM (Thu 23rd Jul)3.5ft (1.1m) 8s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.


The Lowdown

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Viana do Castelo over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you: it’s a slow start, and the first real window of opportunity doesn’t appear until the very end of July and into early August. The river-mouth setup here is exposed to the west and northwest, and while we do see some pulses of energy, the winds are often cross-shore or cross-onshore, making it hard to get that clean, glassy face. The best wave will be the morning of Friday the 31st of July, with glassy conditions and a long-period swell from the northwest. That’s your standout.

The first week is pretty ordinary. From Friday the 17th of July right through to Thursday the 23rd of July, the swell is tiny, mostly between 1ft and 2ft, with a short period of 5 to 10 seconds. The combined wave energy is weak, sitting between 18 and 80. Winds are mostly cross or cross-onshore, with a few glassy moments, but the waves are too small and weak to get excited about. The water temperature is about average for the time of year. This stretch is a write-off for any decent surfing.

Friday the 24th of July through to Monday the 27th of July sees a bit more size, with swell building from 2ft to 7ft, but the period stays short, between 6 and 8 seconds. The combined energy picks up, reaching 272 on the Saturday afternoon, but the winds are too strong and cross-off. By Monday the 27th of July, there’s a morning window of 5ft swell from the NNW with a 7-second period, light offshore winds, and clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate at 313. It’s surfable but not a standout.

From Tuesday the 28th of July to Thursday the 30th of July, the swell holds around 5ft to 7ft, but the period is still short, and the winds are mostly cross-off or cross-onshore, with moderate to fresh breezes. The combined energy gets strong, hitting 526 on the Tuesday afternoon, but the onshore wind and short period make it messy. This is more for experienced surfers if they’re keen, but it won’t be pretty.

Now, the standout. On Friday the 31st of July, the morning brings glassy conditions, a 3ft swell from the northwest with a long period of 11 seconds, and a combined energy of 337. This is the cleanest, most promising window in the whole outlook. The swell is well-sized, the period is long enough to give shape and power, and the glassy wind means the river mouth will be smooth. It’s a true morning session for anyone who can paddle out.

Saturday the 1st of August looks similar in size, with 5ft from the northwest, but the wind turns cross-onshore, so the quality drops. The energy is still there at 351, but it’s not the same as the Friday morning.

Crowds can be an issue here, as Viana do Castelo is often busy, so expect company on the good days. The break is fairly consistent, but when it’s good, it draws a crowd.

Overall, hold out for the morning of Friday the 31st of July. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. The rest of the period is either too small, too windy, or too short-period to get excited about.

Rusty

Short Range Forecast

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Sun morning, min 16°C on Fri night). Wind will be generally light.

Days 4-6 Weather Summary

Mostly dry. Warm (max 22°C on Tue morning, min 16°C on Sun night). Wind will be generally light.

Friday
17
Saturday
18
Sunday
19
Monday
20
Tuesday
21
Wednesday
22
Thursday
23
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
AM
PM
Night
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Height Map
Wave
Height (m)
Direction
Period (s)
0.4
W
8
0.3
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
8
0.3
WNW
8
1
NW
6
0.6
NW
5
0.3
NW
9
0.7
NW
8
0.7
NW
7
0.6
NW
7
0.7
NNW
8
0.6
NNW
9
0.4
WNW
10
0.4
WNW
10
0.5
NW
6
0.5
NW
6
0.3
NNW
9
0.6
NNW
6
0.7
NNW
8
1.2
NNW
6
Wave Graph
Metric surfscale
Energy kJ
21
13
13
13
13
66
14
14
60
53
41
62
50
33
33
19
18
16
25
55
117
Wind (km/h)
5
NW
20
NW
5
NE
5
SW
10
WNW
10
SE
15
SSE
10
SW
10
SE
5
S
10
W
5
SE
5
SSW
10
WNW
5
ESE
5
SSW
10
WNW
0
ENE
5
WSW
10
WNW
10
SE
Wind State
cross
cross
off
on
cross
cross
cross-on
on
cross
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
cross-on
cross-on
glassy
glassy
cross
glassy
glassy
cross-on
cross
High Tide
5:57AM3.30m
6:11PM3.51m
6:41AM3.20m
6:55PM3.36m
7:25AM3.06m
7:38PM3.16m
8:11AM2.90m
8:23PM2.95m
9:00AM2.76m
9:14PM2.74m
9:56AM2.64m
10:14PM2.57m
11:01AM2.58m
11:26PM2.48m
Low Tide
11:52AM0.67m
00:25AM0.56m
12:36PM0.80m
1:09AM0.72m
1:20PM0.97m
1:53AM0.90m
2:06PM1.16m
2:39AM1.09m
2:59PM1.33m
3:32AM1.26m
4:03PM1.46m
4:34AM1.39m
5:18PM1.51m
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
part cloud
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
clear
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunrise">Sunrise</span>
6:15
6:16
6:16
6:16
6:18
6:18
6:20
<span class="translation_missing" title="translation missing: en.weather_tables.sunset">Sunset</span>
9:07
9:06
9:05
9:05
9:04
9:02
9:01
 mm
Temp °C
21
20
18
21
21
18
22
22
18
21
20
18
22
21
18
21
21
18
23
22
19
Feels °C
20
18
17
21
21
20
21
23
20
21
20
20
22
21
20
21
21
18
22
21
19
  • Map Icons:
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  • Live Wave Height (m)
  • Live Wind Speed (km/h)
  • Surf Rating (10 Max)
  • Ocean Swells (m)
  • Wind Speed (km/h)
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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.

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