Surf Forecasts:
Viana do Castelo surf forecast from 21 Aug 2026:
- Best quality surf: Thursday 27 Aug, 10AM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, W swell with onshore winds.
- Most powerful swell: Friday 28 Aug, 7AM (local time) - 8ft (2.4m), 11s period, WNW swell with 1,238 kJ wave energy.
- Next surfable swell (1★+): Friday 21 Aug, 10PM (local time) - 6ft (1.8m), 10s 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 Friday (Aug 21) at 10PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 1.8m and 10s period with a secondary swell of 0.5m and 9s. Another secondary swell of 0.2m and 15s 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 2.4m 11s and forecast to arrive on Friday (Aug 28) at 7AM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives.
| Wave Type | Time (WEST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | 10PM (Fri 21st Aug) | 6ft (1.8m) 10s |
| Best Surf | 10AM (Thu 27th Aug) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
| Most Powerful | 7AM (Fri 28th Aug) | 8ft (2.4m) 11s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Viana do Castelo over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, let’s talk about what’s shaking at Viana do Castelo. Water temp is right where it should be for the season.
The next few days are pretty grim for getting wet. Friday the 21st has some 6ft NW swell, but that cross-off breeze is making things messy. Saturday and most of Sunday are flat or junk.
Your first real chance is Sunday morning the 23rd. The wind goes glassy, dead calm, and we’ve got a clean 5ft NW swell moving in. That’s your best early option – Viana do Castelo (river) will be clean and inviting.
Things go south again until the 27th of August. That Thursday morning brings a big 7ft W swell, but it’s flagged as too big for this break with onshore wind. Expert territory only.
The morning of the 28th of August is a monster – 8ft WNW groundswell with a long 11-second period and a ton of energy. Again, too big for the break and with a cross-on wind. Only for the brave, and it’ll be busy with the crowd. Honestly, that setup looks more fun for a kite than a surfboard.
The 30th of August Sunday morning gives you a break – glassy again with a much smaller 3ft NNW swell. Clean but tiny.
Your best bet in the second week is Monday the 31st of August afternoon. The wind goes glassy, the swell is a user-friendly 4ft from the WNW, and the word is “expect good surf conditions.” That’s the one to aim for.
After that, it’s weak, lumpy, or onshore until the 3rd of September Thursday morning, when you get a tiny 3ft clean wave from the NW.
Best of the bunch: Sunday morning the 23rd of August for the glassy clean surf, and Monday afternoon the 31st of August for the same vibe with a bit more consistency.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastMostly dry. Warm (max 23°C on Sun afternoon, min 15°C on Thu night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the NNW on Fri afternoon, calm by Sun morning). | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryHeavy rain (total 42mm), heaviest during Tue afternoon. Warm (max 22°C on Mon morning, min 17°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 21 | Saturday 22 | Sunday 23 | Monday 24 | Tuesday 25 | Wednesday 26 | Thursday 27 | |||||||||||||||
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) | NW 10 | NW 10 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | SSW 8 | SW 7 | SW 7 | SW 6 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | W 8 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 |
Wave Graph | |||||||||||||||||||||
546 | 569 | 490 | 116 | 62 | 285 | 418 | 326 | 326 | 239 | 329 | 337 | 121 | 109 | 186 | 279 | 390 | 537 | 632 | 858 | 1053 | |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross-off | cross-off | cross-off | cross-on | on | glassy | glassy | on | cross | cross | cross | cross-on | cross-on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on | on | on | cross-on |
High Tide | 9:55AM2.50m | 10:36PM2.35m | 11:23AM2.48m | 00:13AM2.37m | 12:43PM2.59m | 1:23AM2.50m | 1:39PM2.77m | 2:09AM2.67m | 2:21PM2.96m | 2:45AM2.85m | 2:56PM3.15m | 3:17AM3.02m | 3:28PM3.31m | 3:48AM3.18m | |||||||
Low Tide | 4:20PM1.58m | 4:49AM1.60m | 6:00PM1.55m | 6:18AM1.55m | 7:10PM1.41m | 7:18AM1.41m | 7:57PM1.22m | 8:02AM1.23m | 8:34PM1.03m | 8:39AM1.04m | 9:07PM0.85m | 9:12AM0.85m | 9:38PM0.69m | ||||||||
6:48 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | 6:54 | — | — | |
— | 8:27 | — | — | 8:24 | — | — | 8:23 | — | — | 8:22 | — | — | 8:21 | — | — | 8:19 | — | — | 8:16 | — | |
mm | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Temp °C | 21 | 21 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
Feels °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | NW 10 | W 9 | NNW 10 | NNW 9 | NNW 9 | W 12 | W 10 | W 10 | WSW 9 | SW 8 | SW 8 | N 6 | SW 7 | NW 11 | NW 10 | W 7 | W 8 | W 9 | SW 11 | WNW 9 | WNW 10 |
546 | 39 | 490 | 116 | 62 | 285 | 418 | 326 | 326 | 239 | 329 | 1 | 121 | 5 | 15 | 279 | 390 | 537 | 5 | 858 | 1053 | |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SSW 15 | W 10 | NW 9 | W 9 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 8 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | NNW 7 | W 11 | SW 12 | W 10 | SW 12 | NW 13 | NW 12 | SW 11 | — | — | SW 11 |
9 | 21 | 47 | 65 | 39 | 37 | 19 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | — | — | 5 | |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 12 | W 11 | SSW 15 | W 9 | NW 8 | SSW 14 | SSW 14 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | SW 13 | — | W 10 | SW 12 | W 9 | SW 12 | SW 12 | — | — | — | — |
6 | 9 | 21 | 40 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 5 | — | — | — | — | |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | — | NW 10 | — | — | SSW 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | SSW 8 | — | SW 7 | SW 6 | — | — | — | W 8 | — | — |
— | 569 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 337 | — | 109 | 186 | — | — | — | 632 | — | — | |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 38 | 100 | 0 | 66 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 2 | 18 | 114 | 114 | 252 | 114 | 104 | 247 | 247 | 114 | 338 | 182 | 104 |
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.











