Each location is refreshed once every three hours. The hourly view, 7-day forecast, luck factor and packing notes come from the same stored update.
We compare the 7-day forecast with the version-matched historical observations available for the same time of year at Baleal. The delta shows whether conditions look better, worse or about the same as a typical late July.
We score each day of the 7-day forecast using the same algorithm as the leaderboard, and highlight the highest scorer.
Open-Meteo's Marine API (swell height, period, water temperature) and Weather API (wind and conditions).
Not much swell but keen eyes will find something to ride. Short-period chop. The waves lack any real push. Breezy. Some surface chop to deal with.
PeakWave scores are planning signals, not safety clearance. Check local authorities, official bulletins and on-site conditions before you go. Read our editorial policy.
Baleal is a highly unique, dual-facing beach break situated on a narrow tombolo near Peniche, Portugal. The geomorphology consists of a sandy isthmus connecting a small rocky peninsula to the mainland, creating two distinct bays facing north and south. The seafloor on both sides is predominantly compacted sand with scattered limestone rock shelves. This rare geographical configuration means Baleal acts as a natural swell filter; massive north-westerly winter swells that close out the northern bay wrap cleanly into the sheltered southern bay, producing highly manageable, peeling waves. Conversely, smaller summer swells directly hit the northern side. An easterly offshore wind is optimal for grooming the faces on either side. The waves are generally soft and spilling, providing long, forgiving walls. This exceptional versatility and the safety of the sandy bottom make Baleal an internationally recognised hub for beginner surfers. It offers a highly consistent, low-consequence training ground where practitioners can safely learn wave selection, positioning, and fundamental riding techniques in nearly all weather conditions year-round.
Heads up: jellyfish: peak season, and rip risk elevated.
Indicators derived from forecast data, not official warnings. Always check local lifeguard or official advice.
The air here is 63% cleaner than the average comparison city right now.
Noticeably cleaner air than a typical city. Good conditions for prolonged outdoor activity.
Not a pollutant. Ozone is naturally higher at altitude and near the coast, and lower in cities where traffic exhaust breaks it down. High readings here typically indicate clean air. Can cause short-term airway irritation during intense exercise but is not linked to the long-term health risks of particulate pollution.
Additive health score: each pollutant contributes points relative to its WHO 2021 guideline and long-term health impact (PM2.5 9, NOโ 5, Oโ 3, PM10 2, SOโ 1 at WHO limits). Data via Open-Meteo. City markers show live readings. Red line marks the WHO guideline. Updated 15:00
Moderate water clarity: ~4m visibility
Daily scores over the last 12 months at Baleal
Historical quality only. Safety is not reconstructed for this view.
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Create Profile โPartly. The model uses stored spot geometry, swell ranges and tide preferences where configured. It cannot see changing banks, crowds, access, closures or everything visible on a local cam, so treat it as a starting point.
The best week for surf at Baleal is the week of 16 November (score 3/5) with low crowds.
This guide was generated from conditions data. Know this spot? Submit your own tips below.
Baleal is a beach break peninsula near Peniche on Portugal's central coast. Beaches on both sides of the narrow peninsula mean you can always find an offshore wind. The north-facing beach picks up more swell; the south-facing beach is more sheltered. The peninsula connects to a small island (Ilha da Baleal) via a sandbar. It is one of Portugal's most popular surf destinations with excellent infrastructure.
The north beach picks up any north-westerly Atlantic swell. The south beach works on south-westerly swells. Works on all tides. Consistent year-round. The 2-5ft range suits most surfers. The dual-aspect means something is always rideable. Summer has warm water and smaller waves.
Choose your beach based on wind direction. The north side has stronger waves. The south side is more sheltered. Multiple peaks on both beaches. The section near the island produces interesting wave patterns.
Generally safe. Sandy bottom on both sides. Some rocks near the island connection. Rip currents on bigger days. The beaches can be busy. Lifeguards in summer.
Free and pay parking along the peninsula road. Direct beach access from multiple points. Full facilities: surf schools, camps, restaurants, shops. A well-developed surf tourism hub.
Very busy. Baleal is one of Portugal's most popular surf areas with dozens of surf camps and schools. Good days see 30-50 people per beach. The dual aspect spreads people slightly. Dawn patrol and off-season are quieter.
Baleal's dual aspect is its superpower: always an offshore option. Check both sides before committing. Peniche (5 minutes) has Supertubos for experienced surfers. The seafood in Peniche is excellent and cheaper than tourist-oriented Baleal. The evening light on the island is beautiful.
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Combining historical conditions with school holiday crowd pressure to find the sweet spot.
The timing score combines two signals: historical conditions quality (how good the skiing or surfing typically is in a given week, based on 5 years of weather data) and crowd pressure (how many of this destination's feeder markets have school holidays that week).
Crowd pressure is weighted by each feeder country's share of visitors. If 40% of a resort's visitors come from France and France is on holiday, that contributes 0.40 to the crowd pressure score. Crowds can reduce the timing score by up to 35%, ensuring conditions still matter most.
Scores: 5 = great conditions with low crowds (the sweet spot). 4 = great conditions with moderate crowds, or good conditions with low crowds. 3 = average. 2 = below average conditions or very crowded. 1 = poor conditions or peak holiday chaos.
Last 30 days of logged conditions.
Based on historical weekly averages
Conditions at Baleal tend to be best between 07:00 to 10:00 in July.
Average score during this window: 45/100
See timing scores, school holiday busyness, and lift pass pricing to find the best time to book.
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