Zavial surf break

Zavial surfForecast / Algarve / Portugal

information circle12 Day Weather and Surf, issued 11 am Tuesday 16 Dec 2025 WET
Forecast update in hr  min  s Forecast update imminent
Zavial surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Today's Zavial sea temperature is
17.0° C
(Which is slightly cooler than normal)


Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Zavial this week:

The surf forecast for Zavial over the next 12 days: The first swell (rated 1 star or higher) is forecast to arrive on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 9PM. The primary swell is predicted to be 2.2m and 13s period. The wind is predicted to be cross-offshore as the swell arrives.

The most powerful waves expected at Zavial in the next 12 days are 3.5m 21s and forecast to arrive on Thursday (Dec 18) at 3PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-onshore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 5.0m 13s period and expected on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 12AM.

Wave TypeTime (WET) & Date Wave Height & Period
Next good surf (1 star+) 9PM (Wed 17th Dec)7ft (2.2m) 13s
Best Surf12PM (Fri 19th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 16s
Most Powerful 3PM (Thu 18th Dec)11ft (3.5m) 21s

Table - best surf conditions forecast for Zavial over the next 12 days.

Updates in  hr  min  s Forecast update imminent

Short Range Forecast Light rain (total 6mm), mostly falling on Tue morning. Very mild (max 16°C on Wed afternoon, min 12°C on Tue night). Winds decreasing (near gales from the NNW on Tue morning, calm by Wed night).

Days 3-6 Weather Summary Moderate rain (total 11mm), heaviest on Sat night. Very mild (max 15°C on Fri morning, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds increasing (calm on Fri morning, strong winds from the WNW by Sun night).

Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
AMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNightAMPMNight
Rating
(10 max)
0
0
2
2
3
3
3
6
5
3
6
4
4
4
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
Swell
Height Map
Wave Height (m) & direction (?)
4.5
WNW
5
WNW
4
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2
WNW
1.2
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3.5
WNW
3
WNW
2.5
WNW
2.1
WNW
1.2
W
1.3
WNW
2.5
WNW
3
NW
3
NW
2.5
NW
Period(s) (?)111312141313242118161617161614121214161614
Wave
Graph
(?)Metric surfscale
Energy kJ (?)4688738849993120218212661635955575176423675769784161351016724324730000
Wind
(km/h)
60
NNW
60
NNW
40
N
25
N
15
N
5
N
10
SE
15
SSW
10
SSW
10
SSE
10
NW
25
N
15
NNW
20
WNW
20
WNW
25
NW
25
WNW
40
WNW
40
WNW
45
WNW
25
NW
Wind State (?)
onshore
cross-onshore
cross-shore
cross-offshore
offshore
glassy
offoffcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
oncross-
on
cross-
on
onoffcross-
off
cross-
off
offcross-
off
offcross-
off
cross-
off
cross-
off
offoff
High Tide
/ height (m)
11:58AM
2.29
12:21AM
2.42
12:41PM
2.36
12:59AM
2.52
1:20PM
2.42
1:36AM
2.60
1:57PM
2.47
2:12AM
2.67
2:33PM
2.49
2:47AM
2.70
3:08PM
2.48
3:22AM
2.72
3:43PM
2.46
Low Tide
/ height (m)
6:04PM
0.68
6:31AM
0.65
6:42PM
0.61
7:10AM
0.55
7:19PM
0.55
7:47AM
0.47
7:54PM
0.50
8:23AM
0.42
8:29PM
0.46
8:59AM
0.40
9:04PM
0.45
9:35AM
0.41
9:38PM
0.47
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
17
Thursday
18
Friday
19
Saturday
20
Sunday
21
Monday
22
Sunrise7:41--7:41--7:43--7:43--7:43--7:43--7:45--
Sunset-5:19--5:20--5:20--5:20--5:21--5:21--5:22-
thunderstorm
part cloud
rain showers
clear
part cloud
part cloud
clear
part cloud
cloud
cloud
part cloud
part cloud
part cloud
clear
rain showers
rain showers
light rain
rain showers
rain showers
rain showers
part cloud
Rain (mm)
5-1-----------411521-
Temp. °C131414141614151516151513141515141414151515
Feels °C (?)1268121213131513138101110987668
  • Map Icons:
  • Break
  • 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 Zavial Surf forecast

The above surf forecast table for Zavial provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 12 days. A general guide to surfing at Zavial can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Zavial 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 (Zavial) 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 Zavial 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.

Zavial is 19 km (12 miles) from Lagos. If you plan a holiday in The Algarve, look for hotels and other accommodation in Lagos. Lagos has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.

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